It’s been confirmed: Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson has landed on the moon to film a Doritos commercial…

APRIL FOOLS! Was that a bit obvious? April Fools’ Day, or All Fools’ Day is around the corner. The yearly tradition, often known for being the day pranksters flourish, has been around for quite a long time. 

The exact origins of April Fools’ Day remain unknown,  but historians believe the tradition started in 1582. This is when France switched from the Julian calendar to the Gregorian calendar. The Julian calendar, also known as the Hindu calendar, had the New Year beginning at the spring equinox, or April 1. Contrary to the Julian calendar, the Gregorian calendar started the New Year on January 1. As news didn’t spread quickly back in that time, people were not informed of the change. When April came along, those who didn’t receive the updated New Year’s date celebrated. Thus, the party people were mocked and became the center of jokes and hoaxes. They were called, as you might guess, “April fools”. The public pulled pranks on these “fools” by putting paper fish on their backs and calling them “poisson d’avril,” meaning April fish in French. The fish symbolized young, easily caught fish as well as a gullible person.

Every year 0n April 1, April Fools’ Day is celebrated in many countries but all have the common tradition of making an excuse to have someone act as a fool. For example, in Scotland, All Fools’ Day is celebrated over two days. People participate in tricking each other by pinning fake tails or “kick me” signs onto their friends. Now in more modern times, there have been much more elaborate hoaxes. Newspapers, radio and TV stations, and websites are some of the many that have taken part in the custom. 

A few students from the Newspaper class at Yorba Linda High School suggested April Fools’ Day pranks you could pull on someone, though a word of caution as this day is for playing tricks in the name of good fun and not malicious intents. 

The first suggestion is from Megan Wang (9). She recommends switching the times on a clock to someone you know, like a family member. When they wake up, it will either be like Daylight Savings Time or Fall Back Time all over again.

The other trick is for the students in class. Cynthia Lan (9) comments, “To a teacher, have a group of people pretend to argue over something silly. When the teacher comes over, tell the teacher, ‘HAPPY APRIL FOOLS’ DAY!’” 

An editor of The Wrangler Chase Kim mentions, “One time, my brother and I went through a box of paper clips and interlinked each one…when you took out one, the entire box came out as a long string.” The next one to go for a paperclip will have a fun surprise.

Pranking people on April Fools’ Day is a good way to have fun with your friends. There is no limit to the tricks you and your friends could pull on people in a funny and lighthearted way.