Why Do We Celebrate April Fools’ Day?
Every year on April 1st, people around the world set traps, swap sugar for salt, fake life announcements, and play jokes on each other—all in the name of April Fools’ Day. But why?
How did an entire day become devoted to fooling people—and more importantly, who was the first poor soul to fall for it?
We got curious. So we did what anyone with a blog would do: we typed it out.
A Day of Unclear Origins
Unlike Valentine’s Day or Halloween, April Fools’ Day doesn’t have a neat origin story. Historians and internet rabbit holes offer a few theories, and the truth is probably a blend of all of them:
1. Calendar Confusion (France, 1500s)
One of the most popular theories traces April Fools’ back to France in 1582, when the country switched from the Julian calendar to the Gregorian calendar. The new year shifted from April 1st to January 1st, but not everyone got the memo. Those who kept celebrating in spring were teased as “April fools.”
2. Roman Festivals & Foolish Traditions
Ancient Rome had a festival called Hilaria celebrated in late March—marked by costumes, mimicry, and jokes. It honored the goddess Cybele and often included games and pranks. Sounds familiar, right?
3. Seasonal Shifts and Playing With the Unexpected
Some believe the lighthearted vibe of April 1st came from the joy of spring—a time when seasons shift, weather gets weird, and nature kind of plays tricks on us. It’s the perfect time to lean into unpredictability.
The Day Itself Today
Somehow, over centuries and across cultures, April 1st became our one socially acceptable day to fool each other without consequences (well… mostly). Today, brands get in on it, friend groups plan elaborate fake-outs, and news headlines always feel a little suspicious.
Even if you’re not into full-blown pranks, there’s something charming about a tradition rooted in playfulness.
Why We Love It
We may not have prank wars in our house (yet), but we do appreciate a day that reminds us to laugh—especially at ourselves. It’s Life, Typed is all about the little moments and weird traditions that give life color, and April Fools’ fits right in.
So whether you fall for a fake headline, a fake pet adoption, or a fake engagement announcement (please don’t), here’s to a little harmless mischief.
Happy April Fools’ Day, friends.
