Today in History: April Fools Day

On this day (April 1) much of the world celebrates April Fools Day—a day of pranks and jokes. It’s not clear just how long this celebration has been practiced. Some scholars believe that Geoffrey Chaucer references the custom in the Nun’s Priest’s Tale when he mentions the 32nd Day of March (written in 1392). A French poet, Eloy d’Amerval, may also have mentioned it in 1508 when he refers to “poissons d’avril.” But the first clear reference was in 1539 when a Flemish noble was reported to have sent his servants on foolish errands on April 1.