In Ibi in the province of Alicante in Spain the “Floured War" takes place in recognition of the other April Fools’ Day.

WHERE DOES IT COME FROM?

The origins of the day, initially coined All Fools Day, are at the centre of some dispute.

Some people believe the original April Fools were those who failed to pay attention when much of Europe adopted the Gregorian calendar, which we still use today, introduced by Pope Gregory in 1582.

The new calendar moved the start of the year from April to January and those who continued to celebrate the New Year at the old date on April 1 were ridiculed as April Fools.

According to some accounts, April Fool’s Day traces its origins back to Noah (played by Russell Crowe in the 2014 film).Source:Supplied

Other accounts claim England’s King George III joked of stepping down on April 1, 1789. When peasants began to celebrate their freedom, they were arrested and subsequently jailed.

Another possible origin is the Roman Hilaria Festival held during the Spring Equinox. Those involved dressed in disguise and participated in pranks and games.

According to some religious customs, Noah sent out a dove on April 1 to see if the floodwaters had receded, but they hadn’t.

The Joker is viewed as the symbol of April Fools’ Day.Source:Supplied

ANOTHER FOOL’S DAY

No it’s not a joke, there is an alternative pranking day to April 1.

In Spain and much of Latin America, December 28 is the day to play pranks on your friends, family and even enemies.

In Ibi in the province of Alicante in Spain the “Floured War" takes place in recognition of the day.

In Alicante in Spain the “Floured War" takes place in recognition of the other Fools’ Day on December 28.Source:Supplied

During the festival, the citizens are divided into two groups: the 'Enfarinat' (the floured) group simulates a coup d'etat and a second group tries to calm the rebellion.Source:Supplied

The teams play with flour, water, eggs and colored smoke bombs. The 200-year-old tradition is known as “Els Enfarinats”, marking the biblical Massacre of the Innocents by King Herod.Source:Supplied

The day is a Christian holiday that observes The Day of the Holy Innocents, on which King Herod apparently ordered the execution of all young males in order to hold the throne.

However many historians dispute the event ever occurred.

WHO IS THE JOKE ON?

In France putting a paper fish on the fool’s back and calling them poissons d’Avril or April Fish remains a tradition.

Whether or not a joke rebounds on someone playing it after midday is also a source of contention.

Some believe the cutoff is noon and that may trace its origins back to Britain’s 17th Century Shig-shag Day, when those who failed to wear oak sprigs to show loyalty to King Charles II, who hid in an oak tree to escape execution, could only be made fun of until 12pm.

Others believe it is a free for all until midnight — it is April Fool’s Day after all.

APRIL FOOL’S DAY IN POPULAR CULTURE

The day has become an entrenched part of popular culture, with companies such as Google, Burger King, YouTube and the BBC getting in on the act.

Bollywood’s 1964 film April Fool remains a popular homage to the day.

The title of Bryce Courtenay’s bestseller April Fool’s Day, about his son Damon who was a haemophiliac who contracted AIDS was a reference to the day he died.

RELATED: Weird facts about St Patrick’s Day

Author Bryce Courtenay. Picture: News CorpSource:News Limited

OTHER SIDE OF THE COIN

The English are credited with helping make April Fool’s Day the popular event it is today.

According to most accounts the English began the practice of playing practical jokes regularly on the day from around 1700, with most observing that jokes can only be carried until midday.

As a result the symbol of the day has become that of a joker.

While much of the day is harmless fun there is another side of the coin, such as those who steer clear of the day due to superstition or even financial reasons.

Including those who don’t want to sell their house on April 1.

Originally published as Weird facts about April Fool’s Day