Learn when April Fools' Day 2026 is, where the holiday may have come from and how prank traditions spread over time.

Nope, this isn't a prank.

The earliest April Fools’ Day hoax on record was in 1698, when people in London were told to go see the annual ceremony of the washing of the lions.

Across cultures, early spring is a time to let loose and play pranks—but historians can’t agree on who invented the custom of April 1 fun. Dutch artist Jacob Cornelisz van Oostsanen's "Laughing Fool," ...

Add Yahoo as a preferred source to see more of our stories on Google. "Real Housewives of New York City" alumna Bethenny Frankel is not a big fan of April Fools' Day. One reason she's not a supporter ...

April Fools' Day, which is Wednesday, April 1, likely began in the 15th century. But now it's become more of marketing mischief by big brands.