Why is April Fool’s Day celebrated on April 1?

April 1 is celebrated as ‘April Fool’s Day’ all over the world and it has become a popular tradition everywhere.

April Fool’s Day has been celebrated by different cultures for centuries. Even TV shows and media outlets in modern times have been telling serious news to viewers in jest.

Although April Fool’s Day has been celebrated for centuries, where it started remains a mystery.

One theory suggests that it began in 1582, when the Julian calendar was replaced by the Gregorian calendar in France, with the new year beginning on January 1 instead of April 1. As a result, those who considered April 1 as the start of the new year were mocked as “April Fools”.

Another theory links April Fool’s Day to the ancient Roman festival of Hilaria.

It was celebrated on March 25 in honour of Saibel Devi. In this festival, people used to dress in disguise and make fun of fellow citizens. The same tradition influenced modern-day pranksters.