Origins of April Fool ' s DayApril the 1 stThe first of April , some do say , April The 1 stIs set apart for All Fools ' Day . But why the people call it so , Nor I , nor they themselves do know . But on this day are people sentOn purpose for pure merriment . -- Poor Robin ' s Almanac ( 1790 ) The fool doth think he is wise , but the wise man knows himself to be a fool . Shakespeare - As You Like It ( Act V , Scene I ) ~ ~ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ The Origins Of April Fool ' s Day - April 1 What is April Fools Day and how did it begin ? Well , that is a very good question . The origin of this holiday is rather uncertain . However , the common belief holds that during the reformation of the calendar the date for the New Year was moved from April 1 st to January 1 st . During that time in history there was no television or radio so word spread slowly . There were also those who chose to simply ignore the change and those whomerely forgot . These people were considered " fools " and invitations to non - existent parties and other practical jokes were played on them . " All Fools ' Day " is practiced in many parts of the world with practical jokes and sending people on a fool ' s errand . Others believe that the origin began with celebrations at the Spring Equinox . ~ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ April Fools Days HistoryANCIENT ROMEThe custom of playing practical jokes on friends was part of the celebrations in ancient Rome on March 25 ( Hilaria ) The timing seems related to the vernal equinox and the coming of springa time when nature fools us with sudden changes between showers . and sunshine . ENGLANDIn England , tricks can be played only in the morning . If a trick is played on you , you are a " noodle ". Widespread observance in England began in the 18 th century . SCOTLANDIn Scotland , April Fools Day is 48 hours long and you are called an " April Gowk ", which is another name for a cuckoo bird . In Scotland , April Fools Day is 48 hours long . The second day is called Taily Day and is dedicated to pranksinvolving the buttocks . Taily Day ' s gift to posterior posterity is the still - hilarious " Kick Me " sign . FRANCEIn France , the April Fool ' s is called " April Fish " ( Poisson d ' Avril ) . The French fool their friends by taping a paper fish to their friends ' backs and when someone discovers this trick , they yell " Poisson d ' Avril ! " SPAINDia de los Santos Inocentes is held in Spain on December 28 th . This is The Feast of the Holy Innocents . It is celebrated similarily to April Fool ' s Day , with practical jokes . AMERICAThe English , Scotch and French introduced the custom to their colonies in America . One of our forefathers ' favorite jokes was to send someone on a " fool ' s errand . " For example , one might have been asked to go out and obtain a copyof " The History of Adam ' s Grandfather , " or bring back some " sweet vinegar . " MEXICOThe " foolish " tradition is celebrated in Mexico , too , but on a different day and for different reasons . " El Dia de los Inocentes , " which is December 28 , was set aside as a day for Christians to mourn Herod ' s slaughter of innocent children . Over time , the tone of that " unluckiest of days " has evolved fromsadness to good - natured trickery . ~ ~ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ April Fools Day PranksTypical April Fools ' pranks include putting salt in sugar bowls and sugar in salt shakers , balancing a pan of water atop a partially opened door so that whoever walks into the room next gets soaked , and putting toothpaste between the sides of an Oreo cookie . Get up in during the night on April Fool ' s day , set every clock in the house ahead one hour . Also the clock in the car , and wristwatch ! ( This takes some talent ! ) The family will be up and ready for work an hour early , then with no trouble with traffic or parking , they begin to wonder why others are also late to work . After other people arrive and say , no * I ' m not late * they soon catch on ! ~ ~ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Swap your parents ' dresser drawers . ~ ~ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Here ' s one for next year , if you plan ahead now . .. Buy a stack of newspapers dated April 1 and save them for a year . When April 1 comes around again , sneak them into one of those newspaper vending machines at a location where people will sit and read themafter purchase . Watch the faces of people read their year - old papers , and when they realize the date on it ! ~ ~ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ If a Co - worker is selling a car , leave a message that you ' re interested , and the number for the local junkyard ! ~ ~ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~ ~ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~