What was the first April fools?

The origins of April Fools' Day are unclear, but one of the earliest recorded references comes from France in the 16th century. When France switched from the Julian calendar to the Gregorian calendar in 1582, those who continued to celebrate the new year in spring were mocked as "April fools." This tradition of pranking and playful deception gradually spread throughout Europe and evolved into the April Fools' Day we know today.