“The first of April some do say/ Is set apart for All Fool’s Day/ But why the people call it so/ Nor I nor they themselves do know,” states a poem in 1760’s Poor Robins Almanack about April Fools’ Day.

The first day of April is dedicated to practical joking. However, the origins of the holiday are still not certain.

The custom of practical joking was handed down to the Americans by the British, although they probably did not start the custom. Many theories do exist about why the day came about.

The most common theory centers on the switching of New Year’s Day from April 1 to Jan. 1.

When the dates were switched many people who traditionally exchanged presents on April 1 continued to do so after the change. These people were nicknamed “April Fools.”

Perhaps the most romantic theory involves the Greek myth of Proserpina.

According to the myth, Proserpina filled her lap with daffodils in the Elysian Meadows when Pluto, god of the underworld, found her and carried her screaming to his realm. Her mother Ceres, hearing the echoes of the screams, went on a “foolish” search chasing the echoes instead of her daughter.

April Fools’ Day is observed in many countries. In France it is called the Poissons d’Avril, the Scottish call April Fools “gowks” and the Hindus celebrate a “fools day” called Huli on March 31.

The day is mainly practiced by young children but adults are known to participate.

In a truly devious April Fools trick, 100 people in England in 1860 were sent invitations to see “the washing of the lions” at the Tower of London. A multitude of people, including all 100 invitees, showed up in vain.