April Fools’ Day: It Is No Joke

April Fools’ Day or sometimes known as All Fools’ Day has been celebrated for centuries by various cultures. However, the origin of the holiday is unknown.

Some historians think April Fools’ Day began in 1582. At that time France switched their Julian calendar to Gregorian.

Individuals who did not receive the news of the change or did not recognize the new year would now start on January 1, and they celebrate it the last week of March to April 1 became the center of hoaxes and jokes.

Some of the pranks inflicted on these individuals was “poisson d’avril (April fish),” which was placing a paper fish on the person’s back. This was said to symbolize a gullible person and a young fish which was caught easily.

Other historians feel April Fools’ Day is linked to the Hilaria festival, celebrated in the month of March in ancient Rome. At this festival, people dress up in disguises.

Another speculation tells April Fools’ Day was correlated to the first day of spring or vernal equinox in the Northern Hemisphere. At this time Mother Nature fooled everybody with unpredictable, changing weather.

In the 18th Century, April Fools’ Day spread over Britain. In Scotland, the April Fools’ Day holiday became an event which lasted for two days. It started with “hunting the gowk.” At this time, people were sent on fake errands (gowk is another word for the cuckoo bird, which is often seen as being a symbol of a fool.)

The next day, Tailie Day begins. This involved pranks revolving around an individual’s derriere. An example is pinning a fake tail on a person or a “kick me” sign.

People create elaborate April Fools’ Day pranks in modern days. For example, radio, television, websites, and television stations participate in the April 1 holiday by reporting fictional stories to fool their audience.

The BBC reported on April Fools’ Day in 1957; Swiss farmers were having a record crop of spaghetti. The BBC showed people harvesting spaghetti from trees. Many people fell for the gag.

Sports Illustrated magazine in 1985 made up an article on April Fools’ Day about Sidd Finch, a rookie pitcher who could throw a ball over 168 MPH. People believed it.

The fast-food restaurant, Taco Bell, in 1996 announced they bought the historic Liberty Bell in Philadelphia and was going to change the name to Taco Liberty Bell.

Burger King advertised a new food product in 1998. People flocked to Burger King restaurants to buy the fake “Left-Handed Whopper.”

Written by Barbara Sobel

Sources:

History.com: April Fools Day

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