Many historians believe that this day can be traced directly to the Hilaria Festivals that were celebrated during the Vernal Equinox in Rome. However, since this festival occurred in March, many people believe that the earliest recording of this day came from Chaucer’s Canterbury Tales in 1392. 

This edition is a story about a vain cock being tricked by a crafty fox on April 1st. Hence, spawning the practice of playing practical jokes on this day. In the early 16th century, there is a reference to Poisson d’avril (literally meaning April’s Fish) by French poet Eloy d’Amerval. 

Some writers assert that this was the first reference to April Fool’s Day in France. It’s also been posited that April Fool’s Day began during the Middle Ages in France and had a lot to do with moving New Year’s Day.