The Day of the Holy Innocents (Día de los Santos Inocentes), on December 28, commemorates the biblical story of King Herod’s orders to execute male babies in Bethlehem in order to kill baby Jesus.

In Mexico as in all Latin countries people play jokes and pranks to trick friends and family  every December 28, which is similar to April Fool’s Day. The media also get involved by reporting news that is false, all in good fun. Many visit cemeteries with offerings to souls of departed children, in line with a pre-Hispanic tradition.

When somebody falls for the false news or prank the saying goes: Inocente palomita que te dejaste engañar hoy por ser dia 28 en nadie debes confiar,   “Innocent little dove that let itself be fooled, today being the 28th in no one should you trust”.

It is also known that if someone asks you for something borrowed he will keep it as you have been fooled! So on December 28 make sure not to loan anything!

Day of the Holy Innocents, April Fools Day in December!