The custom of fooling friends and relatives on the first of April began in the late 1500's in which country? Was it England, Ireland, France, or the United States?

The tradition of April Fools' Day is widely believed to have started in France during the 16th century due to a significant change in the calendar. Before this time, the new year was commonly celebrated around the vernal equinox, with the festivities often culminating on April 1st. However, this began to change with the Edict of Roussillon in 1564. This decree, issued by King Charles IX, officially mandated that January 1st would be the start of the new year throughout the kingdom.

The implementation of this new calendar system was not instantaneous. In an era without modern communication, news traveled slowly, and many people in rural areas were either unaware of the change or simply refused to adopt it. These individuals continued their New Year celebrations on the traditional date of April 1st. Those who had adopted the new January 1st start date began to play pranks on the traditionalists, mocking them for their tardiness.

These jokes and hoaxes became an annual tradition, and the victims were referred to as "poisson d'avril," or "April fish." This term may have referred to the fact that fish are plentiful and easily caught in early April, symbolizing a gullible person. A common prank involved discreetly sticking a paper fish on someone's back. Over time, the custom of playing practical jokes on the first of April spread from France to other parts of Europe and eventually around the world, evolving into the lighthearted holiday we know today.