April 1: the day everyone needs to be a little more on their toes than normal. April Fools’ Day leaves many people on edge, considering anything could be real or fake. While some people love this holiday, as they get an excuse to prank their friends and families, others hate that they are walking around uneasily knowing a prank may be around the corner. But does anyone know where this holiday actually originated? While the exact origin is unknown, historians believe that it was developed in France in the 1500s, when a change was made from the Julian calendar, beginning a new year on April 1, was switched to the Gregorian calendar which begins on January 1.

“News did not always travel fast in those days so not everyone got the word that the start of the New Year changed to January 1. They kept celebrating it on April 1, and they were widely mocked as April Fools,“ according to Rutgers.edu.

Although many people enjoy this holiday and the fun pranks that come along with it, they might not know its origin story. 

“I don’t know how it originated, I have just done pranks because other people do it,” said junior Madison Sparks.

April Fools jokes were primarily spread through word of mouth due to its early origin, as one joke led to another.

“The practice of telling April Fools’ jokes spread rapidly, and it has continued over the last 500 years or so. These jokes work best on people who have not been paying attention to the calendar. Playing a joke on someone, you want to get to them early in the morning before they realize what day it is,” said Rutgers.edu.

While other holidays may have more extensive backstories, anyone can find fun in a holiday that they share with others. 

“I think April Fools is kind of dumb but it is also something fun that people can do once a year, so we might as well keep celebrating it,” junior Taylor Migawa said.

Some believe that the fun of April Fools’ Day can be taken too far, and lying may result in consequences.

“I think April Fools’ Day should not be celebrated anymore because there is no fun in lying or beholding the truth,” Sparks said.

April Fools’ Day is a holiday to celebrate at your own risk, but there are plenty of pranks that allow you to have a laugh with no harm. Whether you find April 1st to be the most entertaining day of the year, or the most annoying, it is important to learn about a holiday’s backstory. Fun historical facts show us just how many traditions have been carried throughout the centuries, as we continue to add new ones for the future.