You may enjoy a joke or prank, but there's one that stands out as the day for pranksters. April Fools' Day has been a tradition for centuries, giving people a pass to play tricks on each other.

Whether you're freezing the water in the fridge's dispenser or hiding something savory in a sweet treat, the holiday allows for lighthearted and playful fun. Even companies and brands sometimes take part in the antics.

But how did April Fools' Day get its date?

When is April Fools' Day?

Every year, April Fools' Day falls on April 1.

This year, April Fools' will be on a Monday.

Why does April Fools' Day fall on April 1?

Many historians believe France is responsible for the holiday's date, the History Channel and the Library of Congress report.

There are several stories for the inception of April Fools' Day, according to the Library of Congress. One version is the holiday derives from a shift in France's calendar. In 1582, France implemented the Gregorian calendar. The country previously used the Julian calendar until the Council of Trent called for a change in 1563, according to the History Channel.

Per the Julian calendar, each year began on the spring equinox, which usually fell around April 1. Under the Gregorian Calendar, however, the new year started on January 1.

In France, many were unaware of the calendar change and continued to celebrate the new year during the last week of March through April 1. These people were considered the "butt of jokes and hoaxes" and were named "April fools," according to the History Channel.

Has Easter ever landed on April 1?

This year, Easter and April Fools' Day fall on back-to-back days, with the former holiday on March 31.

Easter is observed on the first Sunday following the first full moon on or after the spring equinox. Since Western Christianity uses the Gregorian calendar, Easter always falls on a Sunday between March 22 and April 25, the History Channel reports.

The two holidays have taken place on the same date several times, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. In the last century, Easter and April Fools' Day both landed on April 1 during 1923, 1934, 1945, 1956 and 2018.

The next year this will happen is 2029.

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