April Fools’ Day, sometimes called All Fools’ Day, will be celebrated next Tuesday, 1 April. It is one of the most light-hearted days of the year. Its origins are uncertain. Some see it as a celebration related to the turn of the seasons, while others believe it stems from the adoption of a new

calendar.

The closest point in time that can be identified as the beginning of this tradition was in 1582, in France. Prior to that year, the new year was celebrated for eight days, beginning on 25 March. The celebration culminated on 1 April. With the reform of the calendar under Charles IX, the Gregorian calendar was introduced, and New Year’s Day was moved to 1 January.