Where in the world is April Fools’ Day celebrated?

Every year on 1 April, the world explodes in a flurry of practical jokes, hoaxes, and good-natured mischief. This day, known as April Fools’ Day, is a global phenomenon, but the way it’s celebrated and its historical roots can vary greatly.

April Fools’ Day is most widely observed in Europe, North America, and parts of South America. In Europe, countries like Britain, France (where it’s called “Poisson d’Avril” or April Fish), Germany, and Scandinavia all have their own traditions. Pranks involve attaching paper fish to someone’s back in France, or elaborate office pranks in Germany.

Across the Atlantic, North America embraces the day with enthusiasm. The United States and Canada see everything from lighthearted office pranks to elaborate media hoaxes. Newspapers might publish fake stories, while radio stations might announce outrageous changes in programming.

South America also joins the fun, with countries like Brazil having a strong tradition of April Fools’ Day pranks. However, some South American countries have their own designated prank days. In Spain, for example, 28 December is the “Dia de los Santos Inocentes” (Day of the Holy Innocents), a day for lighthearted deception.

Theories on the origins of the day

It is thought that the custom comes from 16th century France . The Edict of Roussillon, promulgated by French King Charles IX, announced that January 1 would be the new beginning of the calendar . Easter was the old beginning of the year, but due to its moveable date was not a good choice for beginning a calendar . The 1563 Council of Trent, initiated by the Pope to counter the spreading of the Protestant heresy, made it clear that Catholicism would need to adapt to the changing religious landscape of Europe, hence the logical change.

Those who were unaware of the change to the calendar were said to be nicknamed “April fools”, as they were still following the old calendar’s dates.

A classic prank

A BBC hoax about spaghetti growing on trees in 1957 supposedly led to a surge in interest in pasta.

The rise of social media has added a new dimension to April Fools’ Day pranks. Companies and individuals can now share their jokes with a global audience in an instant. However, the core of the tradition remains the same: to bring laughter and joy through a little friendly trickery.