April Fool’s Day!

April Fool’s Day, stories told:

There've been many stories of the origin of April fool’s day. April Fool’s Day said dated back since 1500's. 

Some say it began in Roman times. There were pranksters would run amok during the Roman festival Hilaria. 

During King Charles IX reign the French calendar started the new year on April 1st. The changed was made to January 1^st but people continued to celebrate April 1^st as a pranking day.  

It's said the celebration of Holi ends on 3/31 and their form of pranking is the reason for the color tossing.

Pranks around the world:

• Big Ben changing to digital, 1980: BBC announced famous Big Ben clock would be converted to a digital clock. Big Ben would be called Digital Dave. The famous clock gongs would be replaced by beeps. Many listeners were outraged. 
  • BBC, Japan stated the first 4 listeners would be able to purchase the clock hands.
• National Public radio, 1992: The radio station ran a story that former President Richard Nixon would run for president again. This threw the country for a loop.
• San Diego Shuttle landing, 1993: There was a fake NASA representative spokesman on radio station stating a system malfunction at the original landing spot, Edwards Air Force Base. This caused the landing to be diverted to San Diego’s Montgomery Field. This caused many to become angry and created lots of traffic to witness the landing.
• Taco Bell, 1996: Fast food chain Taco Bell stated they were purchasing the Liberty Bell and were going to rename the brand to Taco Liberty Bell.
• Tesla Goes Bankrupt, 2018: Elon posted on Twitter that were going to become bankrupt. Unfortunately, this led to their stock dropping 7%.
• Tesla Cyber truck crash test, 2021: Tesla posted a 38 second crash test video on April 1^st. The video never showed the truck crashing.
• Early Eclipse, 2024: University of Vermont stated U.S National Observatory’s Measurement Alignment and Astronomy Ministration discovered the total eclipse would come earlier than expected on April 8th. They made up the name of the organization who discovered the find. Acronym spelled NO MA’AM.

Celebration of April fools around the world:

• France and Italy: France calls April fool’s day, “April Fish” and Italy call it pesce d’aprile. They tape paper cutouts onto unsuspected people's backs and some bakeries make fish shaped treats.
• Scotland: The Scottish dedicate two days of pranking fun. The Scottish call April’s fool day “Huntigok” (hunt a cuckoo). Scottish pin a tail or a sign that reads “kick me” on peoples backs. Scotland celebrate two days of pranking.
• Brazil: Brazil has a Dia Das Mentiras (Day of lies) They celebrate like our April Fools Day.
• Greece: In Greece, if you are successful playing your prank it’s thought you will have a prosperous year.
• Portugal:  The Sunday and Monday before lent which usually is around April fools, Portugal residents celebrate by throwing flour at unsuspecting passer-by.
• England: April Fool’s pranking is only held until 12pm. No pranking after 12pm.