April Fools’ Day 2024: Know about the day, its history and origin

April Fools’ Day 2024: Know about the day, its history and origin

Mangalore Today News Network/NDTV

April 01, 2024: Every year, April 1 is celebrated as April Fools’ Day across the world. This is a day dedicated to unlimited laughter, jokes, and happiness when people fool around with their loved ones through harmless pranks.

 

On this occasion, people come up with hilarious ideas to surprise their loved ones or friends and then reveal in the end that it was all fake mainly, said or done to mark the occasion. However, we must remember that our jokes are not hurtful to anyone.

History and Origin of April Fools’ Day

The origin of April Fools’ Day is not known but it is believed that the practice dates back to 1582 when Pope Gregory XIII introduced the Gregorian Calendar. This day started being celebrated after Pope Gregory XIII introduced the Gregorian calendar, and confirmed that the new calendar would start on January 1. However, in the older version of the calendar, the year started around April 1.

So, when the calendars were switched, some people continued to celebrate the new year from the last week of March through April 1. People then started mocking those who stuck to the old calendar and this is how the practice of April Fools’ Day began.

Historians are also known to link April Fools’ Day to "festivals such as Hilaria", which in Latin means joyful. On this day, people in ancient Rome would dress up in disguises, make fun of each other and play games.

April Fools’ Day is also linked to the vernal equinox, which is the first day of spring in the Northern Hemisphere. The day also comes close on the heels of the Indian festival of Holi, the Persian festival of Sizdah Bedar and the Jewish Purim. Surprisingly all three festivals in early spring involve various forms of merriment and frivolity.

Celebrations:

The day serves as a reminder to not take ourselves too seriously and to embrace the lighter side of life. It also provides a much-needed break from the monotony of routine life and an opportunity to indulge in some fun.

The celebrations of April Fools’ Day involve cracking light-hearted jokes and playing hoaxes and pranks on people. It is advised to keep the pranks harmless as the occasion is all about having fun and sharing a great moment. One should also not spread misinformation in the garb of playing pranks as it can spoil the occasion.