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# April Fool's Day Traces Back to the 1582 Calendar Change
- URL: https://www.smdp.com/a-fools/
- Published: 2003-04-01T16:00:00.000Z
- Updated: 2026-10-23T01:57:46.000Z
- Author: Guest Author
- Tags: local, Santa Monica, #archive-import

*History*

■ In 1582, the Julian Calendar was replaced with a new calendar called the Gregorian Calendar. In the Julian Calendar, New Year’s Day was celebrated on April 1, while in the Gregorian Calendar New Year’s Day was celebrated on Jan. 1\. ■ People who still celebrated New Year’s Day on April 1 were often sent on “fool’s errands.” They were made fun of and were referred to as “April’s Fools.” Today is April Fool’s Day, the only day of the year where pranks are accepted.

*Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on April 1, 2003.* [Read the original PDF.](https://s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/smdp%5Fbackissues/040103.pdf?ref=smdp.com)