Date confusion: Ash Wednesday is on Valentine's Day, Easter on April Fools' Day

Ann Zaniewski | Detroit Free Press

Show Caption Hide Caption No joke: We're still not sure where April fools' day comes from The potential origins of April Fools' Day can be traced back as early as the 1300s. Video provided by Newsy

Christian couples might celebrate their love next month with smudges of ash on their foreheads.

And a prank or two could infiltrate Easter Egg hunts.

This year, Ash Wednesday falls on Feb. 14, Valentine's Day. And Easter is on April 1, also known as April Fools' Day.

It's a quirky calendar coincidence that hasn't happened in decades.

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“I have no reason to doubt the ability of my fellow Catholics to multi-task, honoring their commitment to the church’s liturgical calendar and, if they so choose, to observe Valentine’s Day and April Fools' Day," said Ned McGrath, director of communications for the Archdiocese of Detroit.

"For the record, the last time there was a confluence of these dates — 1945 — the Detroit Tigers won a World Series. No joke. I’m just saying.”

Observed by many Christians, Ash Wednesday marks the start of the traditional season of Lent, a 40-day period that leads to Easter and has its roots in Jesus' 40 days in the wilderness. It is a period of reflection, prayer and penance.

Easter marks the day of Jesus' resurrection.

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More: Pope's Easter message: Keep the faith in our trying times

Although April Fools’ Day is not a public holiday in any country, it has been celebrated globally for many centuries. The holiday's roots are a bit fuzzy. Some say it started as a way to mark a changing season. Others say it's tied to a calendar shift in France in the 1500s that moved New Year's Day from the end of March to Jan. 1 — "fooling" some who stuck to the original calendar.

Contributing: Jueun Choi, USA TODAY. Follow Ann Zaniewski on Twitter: @AnnZaniewski