April Fools' Day 2016: Jokes and pranks all around

April Fools' Day also referred as All Fools' Day is a day celebrated in almost all countries on the first day of the fourth month of Georgian calendar. Every year, on first of April, people come out and play pranks on their friends and family. The All Fools' Day is again the most awaited day throughout the world, when people have full liberty to play pranks on their friends, family members, enemies, and neighbours.

The day comes with showers of laughter all around. People forget their sorrows and get blended in the jolly arena on this day. The day is marked by playing pranks and other practical jokes on near and dear ones.

History of April Fools' Day

April Fool's Day is thought to originate long back in 1582, when new Gregorian calendar was adopted over the older Julian calendar.

Previously, April 1st was considered the New Year day and the first day of the year. This was later changed to January 1st by King Charles IX of France while some of the people continued to practice older system.

It is also considered that few people might have celebrated the April 1st as the first day of summer, confusing it with the May Day or 1st May.

How April Fool's Day is celebrated across the world

April 1st is celebrated universally across the world as April fool's Day. Celebrations for April fool's day are limited till noon time in few countries like UK, Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa while in Canada, France, Ireland, Italy, Russia, Netherlands and the U.S, celebrations are carried throughout the day.

In Scotland, for example, April fool's Day is observed for two days. The second day is meant for playing pranks involving the posterior region of the body and is also referred as Taily Day. The origin of the "kick me" sign can be traced to this observance.

In India though the April fool's Day is not celebrated as the traditional festival but these days it is becoming popular and is mainly celebrated among youngsters and kids. People love to play jokes and then shout loudly as "April Fool."

In France, April fool's day is called "Poisson d'Avril." French kids play a special game on this day. The object of the game is to tape a paper fish on someone's back without that person noticing. When the victim spots the fish taped to their back, the kids yell "Poisson d’Avril!" (April Fish!)

In Belgium, April 1st is meant for playing pranks on others but the phrase is said that one tries to bake April Fish on this day.