The History of April Fool's Day

The History of April Fool's Day

Of all the holidays in a year, one stands out with its strange jokes and uplifting laughter: April Fools’ Day. The comedic day falls upon the first of April, but the cheery holiday’s true origin is a complete mystery. Historians have tried to discover the beginning of the day but when tracked back many years ago the answers still remain unclear. Historians say that the day has been an active holiday since 1582, when in the 16th century France had switched from the Julian calendar to the Gregorian calendar that starts in January, unlike the previous calendar that started in March. With this change, some people didn't hear the news so they still believed that the spring equinox was actively happening even though it ended April 1st, and most referred to them as “the butt of the joke” who never received the news. These citizens who were left in the dark were often ridiculed, and the townspeople would stick paper fish called poisson d'avril, which means April fish, onto these citizens referring to them as gullible people who are easily caught. This fitting tale for the day of hoaxes and pranks is one of many stories that are said to be the origin of April Fools’ Day. 

Another rumor for the start of the foolish day is inspired by an early Egyptian legend that started from a celebration at the end of March called “Hilaria,” where people would dress up mocking citizens, popes, and other historical figures in celebration of the resurrection of the god, Attis. Other stories include a two-day event in Scotland where people played pranks on each other such as “kick me” signs or sticking a tail on someone's back. There is also the theory that, on the first day of spring in the Northern Hemisphere, Mother Nature fooled everyone with unpredictable, constantly changing weather that caught citizens by surprise forcing them to feel as if they were being pranked. The numerous stories all could be one giant hoax in themselves but it's fitting considering the day is the world's longest-running joke.

April Fools’ Victims

April Fools’ Day is celebrated all over the world in many different ways, but they all have one thing in common: someone will be feeling utterly confused while their friends laugh uncontrollably at their confusion. April first has its fair runs of jokes from broadcasters, newspapers, TV commercials, Tweets, posts, and radio stations. Throughout the years there has been some crazy confusion set by these media in honor of the day.

The Taco Liberty Bell

In 1996 Taco Bell had well-known papers such as The Philadelphia Inquirer and The New York Times publish articles claiming that the well-known taco company had bought the Liberty Bell and would be renaming the bell, The Taco Liberty Bell to help national debt. When The National Park Service heard the news, they were panicked but were relieved when Taco Bell called out the hoax and donated $50,000 towards the preservation of the bell. 

Speed Limits and Squirrels

On April 1, 1993, the Westdeutsche Rundfunk radio station announced that no runners in city parks should run faster than 6 mph, with the intent of keeping the local squirrels in the area calm and safe. This rumor was shut down quickly due to its absurdity and left those who listened with a smile on their faces.  

The Spaghetti Farm

BBC reported the major growth of a new Crop this year, a spaghetti crop! BBC released a video of the noodles spread along the trees and bushes of Ticono, Switzerland claiming it was not as good a crop as the Italians considering their “Vast spaghetti plantations.” This joke is considered to be the first televised April Fools’ Day prank that left it to be remembered as the “Biggest hoax any reputable news establishment ever pulled”. 

Pranks For You

Here's a list of 7 pranks you can play on your friends and family this April Fools’ Day. 

1. Place hot sauce in someone's lunch, dinner, or breakfast and watch as the burn meets their tongue.

2. Announce that you have made brownies, and when people come to get a taste, have a sheet full of cut-out E’s made out of brown paper. 

3. Place a cup of ice on top of a slightly opened door and when your victim walks in, they'll be greeted by an icy chill. (I have personally fallen for this one.) 

4. Cover a sponge in frosting and serve to a friend as if it's cake!

5. Cut out paper bugs, or use plastic ones, and stick them to the inside of a lampshade and when the light is turned on the shadow of a crawly creature will appear to scare all who see.

6. Switch out a family member's toothpaste for another thick consistency gel such as cream cheese or icing.

7. Tell a friend who's wearing no-lace shoes that their shoes are untied!

All these mysterious stories about the origin of April Fools’ Day help you move out of the darkness and into the light of joyous pranks set on the holiday. Be aware of the tricks and jokes happening all around you, even the one you're reading right now, just kidding, maybe, have a happy April Fools’ Day! 

Sources:

Origins of April Fools Day

April Fools' Day might be the world's longest-running joke. No one knows how it began

25 hilarious April Fools' pranks to pull on family and friends 

BBC: Spaghetti-Harvest in Ticino