• April Fools' Day is celebrated on the first day of April each year and is usually marked by the playing of jokes, pranks and elaborate hoaxes on one's loved ones and hated enemies.

• Fast Facts

  1. Celebrated on April 1st
  2. Also known as All Fools' Day
  3. Not an actual holiday
  4. Inspired the 1986 horror movie classic April Fool's Day (1986)
  5. It is a custom to try to send someone on a [http: //en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Snipe_hunt Fool's Errand]
  6. French children have a tradition of taping a picture of a fish (also known as a Poisson d'Avril) to their schoolmate's backs
  7. The birthday of twins Fred and George Weasley from the Harry Potter series
  8. "This is the day upon which we are reminded of what we are on the other three-hundred and sixty-four." — Mark Twain

• Origins of April Fools Day

  While the exact origins of the day remain unclear, the most common historical interpretation dates back to 16th century France. Up until that point, New Year's Day had been celebrated on the 1st of April each year. In 1564 (with the introduction of the Gregorian calender, Charles IX of France decreed that New Year's Day would be moved to the 1st of January - as it is today.

  Due to the slow pace that news traveled in those days, many people didn't hear about the change and continued celebrating the New Year on April 1st. Those who had heard about the news began playing jokes and pranks on those that hadn't, such as inviting them to fake New Year's parties and sending them foolish gifts. Thus the tradition of April Fools' Day began. Or so we're told.

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