The history of April Fools’ Day proves there’s more to this holiday than just pranks. (Well, sort of.)
Got trust issues on April 1? You’re not alone. Every year, we brace ourselves for fake announcements and that one friend who thinks they’re way funnier than they actually are. But here’s the thing: April Fools’ Day isn’t just about silly pranks and “gotcha” moments. In fact, the history of April Fools’ Day is surprisingly long, spanning centuries and even continents.
So what’s the deal with this prank-filled holiday? We tapped two experts—Angus Gillespie, a folklorist and professor of American studies at Rutgers University, and Rob Weiner, the popular culture librarian at Texas Tech University—to break down what April Fools’ Day really is, where it came from and why we still fall for April Fools’ jokes today.
Read on for everything you probably never knew about April Fools’ Day.
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What is April Fools’ Day, really?
April Fools’ Day, of course, is a day dedicated to jokes, pranks and a little bit of playful embarrassment. But even that simple definition has layers, with the tradition showing up in two main forms. “One might tell a far-fetched story to a gullible victim,” Gillespie says, “or one might play some kind of a trick or mischievous act.” In other words, whether it’s a fake story or a full-on prank, the goal is the same: catch someone off guard.
What is the history of April Fools’ Day?
Funny enough, we don’t quite know. “The true origins of April Fools’ Day are obscure and lost throughout history,” says Weiner. Still, experts have a few theories.
April fish
Historians have traced some of the earliest references back to 16th-century Europe. One of the first known mentions comes from a 1508 poem referencing poisson d’avril, or “April fish,” a term used for someone easily fooled, according to Gillespie.
From there, things start to take shape. By the mid-1500s, traditions like sending people on “fool’s errands” were already popping up in places like France and the Netherlands.
The calendar change
There’s also this popular theory: When France switched calendars in the 1500s and moved New Year’s Day from April 1 to Jan. 1, people who didn’t get the memo were mocked as “April fools.”
“They were predominantly rural people, far removed from the urban centers,” Gillespie says. “There has always been this disdain that the urban elite have for the poor and remote rural workers.”
Wacky weather
“Some people have speculated that April Fools’ Day originated because of unpredictable spring weather,” says Gillespie. “We have all experienced the collision of winter cold air with the warming spring air, resulting in rapid shifts—snowstorms and thunderstorms.”
But despite this being a rational explanation, Gillespie believes that the historical ones make more sense.
How did April Fools’ Day become a global tradition?
It didn’t happen overnight. “It was passed through oral traditions initially,” Weiner explains. Think: storytelling, travel and good old-fashioned word of mouth.
Gillespie agrees, adding that the spread eventually accelerated through media. “By the 20th century, it was increasingly transmitted by books, magazines, radio, television, movies and the internet,” he says.
Today, April Fools’ Day is celebrated across the globe, from America to Asia to Europe, with each culture adding its own twist. For example, in France, people still stick paper fish on unsuspecting victims. And in Ireland, prank letters send people on endless errands.
Why do we love April Fools’ Day so much?
Let’s be honest. Even when we say we hate being pranked, there’s something kind of fun about it. “Humor is a basic human need,” Weiner says. “With all the craziness in the world, people need to laugh and find some joy in life.” That’s really what keeps April Fools’ Day alive. It gives us permission to not take things so seriously, even if just for a day.
Of course, there’s a line. Both experts point out that not all jokes land the same way. Gillespie notes that the holiday can sometimes cause confusion, especially in a world where misinformation spreads fast, and pranks can easily go wrong. “It’s best to enjoy the joke … as long as it’s not malicious,” Weiner says.
What does April Fools’ Day look like today?
From viral hoaxes to elaborate fake announcements, modern April Fools’ Day has become a full-on spectacle. And these days, it isn’t just your friends and parents trying to trick you. It’s also brands, media companies and the entire internet.
Weiner points out how easy it is now to create something that looks completely real. “It is so easy to fool people through misinformation and publish something that looks legit but isn’t,” he says. And honestly, we fall for it all the time.
What are some famous April Fools’ Day pranks?
Some media outlets and fast-food chains have gone all out to weave elaborate April Fools’ Day hoaxes. Here are four that might make you laugh:
- In 1957, the BBC perpetrated the “Spaghetti Tree Hoax,” during which the U.K. network broadcast images of Swiss women casually “picking” spaghetti from trees and bushes during their annual harvest.
- In 1992, National Public Radio pulled a jaw-dropper, featuring a spot with former president Richard Nixon claiming he was running for president again. Plot twist: It was an actor, not Nixon, and the whole thing was a prank that caught the entire country off guard. April Fools’ Day magic at its finest!
- In 1996, Taco Bell declared it had bought Philadelphia’s iconic Liberty Bell and had grand plans to rebrand it as the Taco Liberty Bell.
- In 1998, Burger King decided to toy with reality. The company unleashed an ad for the “Left-Handed Whopper,” and guess what? Confused customers flooded in, actually asking for this imaginary sandwich.
About the experts
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At Reader’s Digest, we’re committed to producing high-quality content by writers with expertise and experience in their field in consultation with relevant, qualified experts. We rely on reputable primary sources, including government and professional organizations and academic institutions as well as our writers’ personal experience where appropriate. For this story on the history of April Fools’ Day, Reader’s Digest Associate Editor Mariah Thomas tapped her experience as journalist who regularly covers fun facts, history and entertainment. We verify all facts and data, back them with credible sourcing, and revisit them over time to ensure they remain accurate and up to date. Read more about our team, our contributors and our editorial policies.
Sources:
- Angus Gillespie, folklorist and professor of American studies at Rutgers University; email interview, March 20, 2026
- Rob Weiner, popular culture librarian at Texas Tech University; email interview, March 20, 2026
