By Matija Šerić
April 1st, also known as April Fools’ Day, has dawned – a day famous for jokes, pranks, anecdotes, and hoaxes. There is a well-known folk rule: “Beware of being tricked on April 1st.” And indeed, one should be cautious and avoid looking foolish. In Croatia, across the region, throughout Europe, and beyond, people love to play tricks on this day. In English-speaking countries, it is called April Fools’ Day. To be honest, a little humor within limits does no harm. It is the perfect moment to look into how this holiday of humor came to be, celebrated today by millions.
April Fools’ Day Traces Back to the Roman Hilaria
The exact origins of the custom are unknown – in fact, they remain mysterious. However, historical sources confirm that April 1st has been observed as a day of jokes for centuries. It was celebrated as far back as the dark Middle Ages. Some even trace it to the time of the Roman Empire. The Roman festival Hilaria, celebrated on March 25th, symbolized a day of joy and merriment. Other researchers suggest that the roots of April 1st may go back to the story of the Flood in the biblical Book of Genesis, arguing that human gullibility is as old as the waters that once covered the world. From the 16th century onward, reliable records show that April 1st was regularly celebrated in various ways, though not uniformly across all regions.
Charles IX and Changing the New Year Date
According to one interesting theory, the origins of today’s custom go back to 16th-century France. In August 1564, French King Charles IX issued the Edict of Roussillon, establishing that the new year would no longer begin at Easter, as was customary in the Christian world, but on January 1st. Because Easter’s date varies each year, many had difficulty giving up the old tradition. Those who continued to celebrate the new year according to the old calendar soon became the target of ridicule – and, according to this theory, they became the first “April fools.”
The Spring Equinox and The Canterbury Tales
Another theory suggests that the roots of this custom lie in nature itself – specifically during the spring equinox, which occurs on March 20th or 21st. At this seasonal transition, nature seems to play tricks on people: sun, rain, snow, and frost alternate without warning, and warmth abruptly gives way to cold, making the weather unpredictable. Some believe that this capricious play of nature inspired the tradition of a day dedicated to pranks and jokes.
A third theory, supported by some art historians, points to a line by the poet Geoffrey Chaucer in The Nun’s Priest’s Tale from The Canterbury Tales (published around 1390), which may subtly hint at the spirit of April Fools’ Day, even though the tale itself does not explicitly mention jokes or the customs we now associate with the day.
Different Ways of Celebration
The ways of celebrating vary from country to country, but the common goal is to trick someone and declare them an April fool. In France, a person who falls for a prank is called a poisson d’avril or “April fish,” referring to a young, easily caught fish – much like someone who smiles at a clever joke. French children often stick a paper fish on the back of a friend they want to prank.
In Scotland, the day is known as Gowkie Day or “Hunt the Gowk”; a gowk, or cuckoo, symbolizes a fool and trickster. The following day, called Tailie Day, friends attach signs reading “kick me” to each other’s backs, turning the prank into a playful game. In Ireland, people would prank others by delivering an “important letter” instructing the recipient to pass it on. Upon opening, the letter simply read: “Send to the next fool.”
In Germany, an April prank involves tricking someone with a false story and shouting “April, April!” when the truth is revealed, officially declaring them an April fool. Since 1986, New York City has hosted an annual April Fools’ Day parade, featuring satirical participants and performances mocking politicians, celebrities, and current events. Participants dress in costumes and carry props to embody the year’s most notable “fools.”
Notable Media Pranks
Media outlets and public figures are also known for pranking people. The first television April Fools’ joke occurred in 1957 when the BBC aired a segment claiming spaghetti grew on trees in Switzerland. The report claimed that the dreaded spaghetti weevil had finally been eradicated, leading to a bountiful spaghetti harvest. Footage showed people “harvesting” spaghetti from trees, astonishing viewers – many believed it completely.
In 1996, the American fast-food chain Taco Bell joked that it had purchased the Liberty Bell and renamed it the Taco Liberty Bell to help reduce U.S. debt, sparking public outrage and forcing the National Park Service to clarify the hoax. In 1992, NPR shocked listeners with a report that former U.S. President Richard Nixon, who resigned in 1974 due to the Watergate scandal, was running again, promising: “I’ve never been wrong and I won’t be again.” In 1998, Burger King launched a humorous ad for a “Left-Handed Whopper,” causing confused customers to visit restaurants requesting the fictional burger.
Everyone Needs a Day of Jokes
Regardless of its origins and how it is celebrated, there is no doubt that we all need a dose of humor in today’s busy, stressful, and often gloomy world of 2026. After a long, cold, and bleak winter, spring has arrived, bringing brighter weather and mood. Scientific studies show that 10–15 minutes of daily laughter offers numerous health benefits, such as burning 50 calories, improving blood flow, boosting immune and respiratory systems, and relieving pain and stress. Of course, this does not mean shocking friends, colleagues, neighbors, or family members with events that lead to cold showers or panic. As in all things, moderation is key – but jokes and laughter are essential to humanity.
