Why is April Fools' Day celebrated? Here's how the prank-playing holiday came to be.

Playing pranks and tricks is an age-old tradition. There are so many ways to pull one over on your loved ones, whether you're tying their shoes' laces together or filling a closet with balloons.

But day stands out because it is dedicated to the pranksters and jokesters of the world: April Fools' Day falls on April 1 and gives people an excuse to carry out lighthearted fun. The holiday has existed for centuries, but how did it officially come to be?

Here's a history lesson on the holiday of hoaxes.

What is April Fools' Day?

Every year, April Fools' Day is celebrated on April 1. While its exact origins are unclear, many historians trace April Fools' back to 1582, the History Channel and the Library of Congress report.

That year, France changed its calendar system from the Julian calendar to the Gregorian calendar. According to the Julian calendar, each year began on the spring equinox, which usually fell around April 1. Under the Gregorian Calendar, however, the new year started on January 1.

In France, many were unaware of the calendar change and continued to celebrate the new year during the last week of March through April 1. These people were considered the "butt of jokes and hoaxes" and were named "April fools," according to the History Channel.

Others maintain that April Fools' derives from the Roman festival of Hilaria, which is Latin for "joyful." Hilaria was celebrated at the end of March by devotees of the goddess Cybele, the History Channel reports. During the festival, followers would dress up in disguises and trick townspeople.

When is April Fools' Day celebrated? Here's why the holiday always falls on the same date.

Why is it called April Fools' Day?

While it is believed April Fools' became more established in the 1580s, the idea of pranking someone on this day was first referenced a few decades prior, according to the Library of Congress. A 1561 Flemish poem by Eduard De Dene chronicles a servant who was sent on a series of pointless errands. When the servant noticed that the date was April 1, he realized he had been sent on "fool’s errands."

In 1686, John Aubrey mentions "Fooles Holy Day" in the book "Remaines of Gentilisme and Judaisme," writing "We observe it on the first of April."

April Fools' Day prank traditions

The "April fish" is one of many April Fools' pranks. It comes from the French "poisson d’avril." Paper fish are often put on someone's back as a joke because the fish are said to be young and, therefore, easily caught. Those who get the fish placed on their backs are seen as gullible.

In Scotland, April Fools' Day spans two days. The first day is "Gowk Day," referencing the gawk, or cuckoo bird, which is a symbol of the fool. The second day is "Tailie Day" when people will play pranks, such as pinning a tail on someone or putting a "kick me" sign on their back, the History Channel reports.

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This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: What is April Fools' Day? Best pranks to play, plus holiday history