How did April Fools’ day get started?
and some funny stories
Hey there, and welcome to this week!
It’s Tuesday, and I’m already gearing up for some fun, because today, of course is April Fools’ Day.
A day to let your skepticism run wild and keep your wits sharp. If something feels a bit too far-fetched, you might just want to double-check the calendar to make sure you’re not being pranked!
Let’s dive into the origins of this hilarious tradition and explore some of the most memorable April Fools' Day jokes over the years.
And don’t worry, this is no joke!
The origin tale
You may have wondered where the origins of April Fools' Day come from.
Well, the story takes us all the way back to the 1500s in France.
Back then, people followed the Julian calendar, created by none other than Julius Caesar himself. But in 1582, Pope Gregory XIII introduced a new system, the Gregorian calendar, shifting the new year from April 1 to January 1.
Now, as you can imagine, news didn’t travel as quickly back in the day, so not everyone received the memo.
Some people kept celebrating the new year on April 1, while the rest of the world made the switch to January 1. Naturally, these "April New Year’s celebrators" became the subject of much mockery and jokes.
They were called "April Fools." And that’s how the tradition began.
From New Year’s fooling to April Fools' Day pranks
As you can probably guess, this practice of calling people fools quickly turned into a day dedicated to practical jokes and harmless pranks.
The idea was simple: trick someone, but don’t do it in a harmful or malicious way. And of course, the best time to pull off your pranks is in the morning before anyone realizes the date.
You may be wondering, "What makes a good April Fools' joke?"
Well, the best pranks come from authoritative sources that people trust.
Some legendary April Fools' Day jokes through the years
Let’s take a look at a few memorable April Fools’ Day pranks that had the world fooled. These are classics!
Big Ben goes digital (1980)
In 1980, the BBC announced that Big Ben, London’s iconic clock tower, would be getting a huge update: it was going digital.
They even said the first person to call in could win the famous clock hands. It was a wild claim, but it was delivered so smoothly that for a moment, it actually seemed plausible!
The response was overwhelming, and it was one of the most successful pranks ever.
President Nixon runs for office again (1992)
Who could forget the infamous prank pulled off by National Public Radio (NPR) in 1992?Richard Nixon, the former U.S. president who had famously resigned in 1974, was “announced” as running for president once more.
It was so convincing, with a voice that sounded just like Nixon, that many listeners were caught completely off-guard. Turns out, it wasn’t Nixon at all - it was an actor.
The cell phone and sculpture hoax (2000s)
In a more recent April Fools' Day prank, the Boston Public Garden warned visitors not to take photos of their sculptures with cell phones.Why? Apparently, the light emitted from the phones would erode and damage the sculptures. Ridiculous, right? But strangely believable, and it had many people scratching their heads wondering if they were damaging the art around them.
What a brilliant joke!
📌Tips for a successful April Fools’ Day prank
If you're planning on pulling a prank yourself, here are some tips to make sure you get the best reactions:
Timing is everything: The best time to prank someone is early in the morning. Catch them off guard before they’ve even had their first cup of coffee or checked the calendar.
Keep it low-key: Avoid pranks that could cause real distress. While saying "I lost my job" or "I'm pregnant" might get a laugh, it could also cause some unnecessary stress. Stick with low-stakes, playful jokes that everyone can laugh about afterward.
Believable but unlikely: The most successful pranks come from things that sound almost believable, but just a little too bizarre to be true. The key is to walk the fine line between “possible” and “ridiculous.”
Know your audience: Not everyone is a fan of pranks. If you’re not sure whether a joke will be well-received, it might be better to err on the side of caution. A good prank should leave everyone laughing, not feeling awkward.
So, that’s it for today. If you found this edition interesting and entertaining, please drop a like and follow us for more!
See ya👋
