For some, April 1st is a day to be feared or a day of pure excitement depending on how you chose to celebrate this odd day. However, for most it is a day of just pure confusion. Questions arise, such as why does this day even exist?

Well, there is no simple answer to this question, even though it has been celebrated for many centuries across many different cultures, and it usually entails traditions of: pranks, hoaxes, jokes, and much more.

Despite this, some historians have speculated that it dates back to 1582 in France, when ordered by the Council of Trent, they switched from the Julian calendar to the Gregorian calendar. Meaning that according to the Julian calendar, the new year that once began at around April 1st was now switching the January 1st. However, people who were slow to get the news or failed to recognise that the start of the new year had moved to January 1st and continued to celebrate from the last week of March through to April 1st, and unfortunately became the centre of the jokes and hoaxes. To which they also obtained the name “April fools.”

A young woman, Krishna Keshwala said: “I really look forward to April Fool’s Day, and I feel I am someone who loves to take part in some harmless pranks to lighten the moods of people around me. I think it gives a renewed sense of joy and happiness for people at this time of year.”

So, let’s hope that you are not the target of anyone’s pranks or jokes this April Fool’s Day but that you find a way to enjoy the day.