April Fools' Day, observed annually on , is a global custom defined by practical jokes, lighthearted trickery, and the spreading of hoaxes. While it is not a public holiday, it is celebrated widely across cultures with the goal of exposing "fools" through harmless pranks. Historical Origins and Theories

: Known as "Poisson d’Avril" (April Fish), the tradition involves sneakily attaching paper fish to people's backs.

Different regions have developed unique ways to mark the occasion:

: Experts suggest avoiding jokes related to health (e.g., pregnancy, COVID-19 symptoms), mental health, or serious personal issues like breakups.

: Celebrations often last two days. The first day is "hunting the gowk" (sending people on phony errands), followed by "Taily Day," which focuses on pranks involving the backside, such as "kick me" signs.

: A leading theory suggests the tradition began when France switched from the Julian to the Gregorian calendar. Those who continued to celebrate the New Year around April 1 (the spring equinox) instead of January 1 became the target of jokes and were called "April fools".