Across the United States, many citizens from all over the nation are aware of the prominence of April First being full of surprises and tomfoolery, better known by its name of ‘April Fools’ Day.’ The national holiday is quite unique and special, as it’s a celebration that includes many pranks and jokes that are played on many loved ones or friends.

Celebrated every year throughout society, there is no doubt that many people of all backgrounds and statuses believe that this is the best time to trick the public or someone with a sweet, harmless prank. This wacky day, even though it blossoms out creative pranks, did seem to come out of nowhere.

This holiday is no stranger to students here on campus, and even though this holiday may be criminally underappreciated by society nowadays, it’s not right to say it’s not celebrated at all. Unfortunately this year, there aren’t many students looking forward to pulling jokes this April Fools’ Day.

“I [do] not want to celebrate that day due to the harsh pranks that could be done,” Rumari Zalez (10) said.

This holiday and selected date seemingly emerged out of nowhere, though it has been celebrated for multiple decades now, and it’s true to say that not many know the origin of this tradition. The origin itself is actually unknown, but it doesn’t stop people from celebrating.

“It just came on the calendar,” Daniel Torres (10) said. “I don’t know where it came from, but it’s still cool.”

Many historians believe it originated in the 16th century in France, yet there are many interpretations of how the holiday was established. Research from said historians have thought of ideas such as poems or religious conflicts. Other historians believed that the Ancient Romans originally had this concept, as a traditional festival falls around that date as well. The tradition of fooling someone has soon emerged in society during the 20th century and is now famously recognized as April Fools’ Day. Still, there is no clear beginning to this holiday, yet it doesn’t affect the overall festivity of the celebration. 

Being a holiday full of surprises, many avid celebrators have set up elaborate pranks for many individuals, like their friends, family, or even bigger groups of people. There are some of the oldest jokes from the book, such as the classic whoopie cushion or even the bucket of water on top of a door that splashes victims with liquid when entering through. There are many cool pranks that have been pulled off and the creativity is endless, even for the student who just so happens to have their birthday on the same exact day.

“I went into my class and on my desk, there was a box,” said Diego Alfaro (11). “I opened it, [and] there was glitter that exploded on me, everyone and the teacher came into the room to sing me happy birthday. I’ll never forget that.”

But then, there is the band of people who aren’t the biggest fan of such pranks or may be actually terrified of the idea of being the “prankee.” Unlike those who enjoy the holiday, they tend to stray away from these pranks, or unless they have the mischievous idea to pull the pranks themselves.

“Some dudes just don’t want to get pranked,” said Alfaro. “Or maybe they don’t believe in April Fools’.”

On the other hand, there are prankers who take their jokes to the most extreme level they can take on. These pranks that are pulled could sometimes be destructive. These pranks tend to be destructive and much more harmful than what a pranker originally thought, resulting in an awkward situation where no party was content. Even the construction of the prank itself could be a pain, whether it’s the development of the plan, the supplies, or deciding who’s going to clean up all the mess.

“The greatest prank was where we wrapped plastic on the toilet, so whoever would go would wet themselves,” said Zalez.

This holiday really gives people the day to think creatively, and mischievously, and to maybe take revenge. Whatever the case is, it’s a goofy little holiday full of surprises.

“I do not have a single clue of how the holiday first started, but I am glad it did,” said Zalez.