April 1. The annual day for pranks and jokes. Ever wonder how this day came to be?

Although April Fools’ Day has been celebrated for centuries throughout many cultures, its origin is still a mystery to many in the world.

Believe it or not April Fools’ Day, also known as All Fools’ Day, dates back to 1582 when France changed from the Julian to the Gregorian calendar (which is what we use today). When this change occurred thanks to the Council of Trent in 1563 in Italy, news was slow to get around to the rest of the world—therefore, making the new year January 1 instead of the Julian Calendar new year April 1.

April Fools’ Day really started to spread during the eighteenth century in Britain and Scotland. In fact, many believe that Scotland was the first to make April Fools’ Day a tradition. The tradition included a two-day event. On the first day people would participate in “the hunting of the gowk.” This event consists of people being sent on phony errands, hence the word gowk, which means cuckoo bird, in other words a fool.

The second day of this event is called Tailie Day, which is a day when you play practical jokes on people, for example, the traditional pranks such as pinning a “kick me” sign on someone’s back.

“I can’t wait for April Fools’ Day,” said junior Spencer Crider, “I love to prank my friends and just have a laugh.”

Looking to prank some of your friends on April Fools’ Day? Follow these pranks to guarantee some laughter on your April Fools’ Day.

Kick Me Signs: This one is a classic, but it always seems like fun! Try it on your friends (or enemies) this April Fools’ Day!

Broken Remote Control: Another classic prank. All that is required is a remote control and some tape. Place the tape over the remote’s censor and sit back and enjoy the show (or lack thereof).

Cereal Switch Up: Want to prank your siblings? Swap the cereal bags within their boxes. When your brother or sister comes down to eat breakfast, they will be in for a surprise.

Messy Situations: If you want to make someone clean up a huge (but mostly harmless) mess, follow this prank. Fill two glasses with ice and flip them upside down on a table or counter. All you need to do now is wait for the ice to melt and a victim to make a mess.

And remember: nothing seals a prank quite like a gleeful, “APRIL FOOLS!”