Reading Time: 5 minutes stival of Hilaria. Others insist that the Hindu festival of Holi is related as it is celebrated around the same time, but it is highly unlikely because Holi celebrations are quite different from April Fool’s day.
In 1976, British astronomer Patrick Moore wanted to make fun of some exaggerated and pseudo-scientific claims promoted in John Gribbin and Stephen Plagemann’s book “The Jupiter Effect”. In turn, he made one of the most memorable April Fool jokes in history. On April 1, 1976, Moore announced on BBC radio that at exactly 9:47 am the earth would experience low levels of gravity because of Pluto and Jupiter’s alignment. He claimed that if anyone jumped at exactly that time, people would feel a floating sensation.
Unsurprisingly, several people called in to the show and claimed that Moore was right and the experiment worked. There were several bizarre claims put forth by people, including one of them asking for reparations because he jumped up so high that he injured himself after hitting the ceiling. This was one of the most famous public pranks of all time since the origin of April Fool’s day.
So when did the prank day actually begin? There are several theories regarding the origins of April Fool’s day. Some say that it might have begun in ancient Rome as it is similar to the festival of Hilaria. Others insist that the Hindu festival of Holi is related as it is celebrated around the same time, but it is highly unlikely because Holi celebrations are quite different from April Fool’s day.
Moving forward, in 1390 A.D., there are some similarities between the celebrations of the day and a part of a story from Geoffrey Chaucer’s “The Nun’s Priest”. In the story, the rooster Chauntecleer is fooled by a fox and the rooster. In turn, exacts his revenge in a similar way. It is believed that the event occurs 32 days after March, which could be April 1. Although some scholars believe that “Syn March bigan thritty dayes and two” might also mean 32 days after March which could be May 2nd.
The most recent claim to the origins of the day is that it might have started in 1582. Prior to that, the new year was celebrated at the beginning of April. However, Pope Gregory XIII ordered a change in the previous calendar and instructed everyone to start the new year from January 1st. A lot of people refused to adhere to the new calendar so the followers of the Pope would prank them and called it “fool’s errand”.
There is also a lesser-known theory that the origins of the day might go back to the times of Noah’s Ark. In 1769, the following was printed in The London Public Advertiser:
“Authorities gravely back with it to the time of Noah and the ark. The London Public Advertiser of March 13, 1769, printed: “The mistake of Noah sending the dove out of the ark before the water had abated, on the first day of April, and to perpetuate the memory of this deliverance it was thought proper, whoever forgot so remarkable a circumstance, to punish them by sending them upon some sleeveless errand similar to that ineffectual message upon which the bird was sent by the patriarch”
Among all these theories and several others, no one knows the true origins of April Fool’s day. Regardless of that, people celebrate it all over the world. The pranks might be small and harmless like pasting a “kick me” to fooling millions of people around the world by convincing them that you can grow your spaghetti tree.
Countries around the world celebrate the day in their unique ways.
In the United Kingdom, on April 1st, people are allowed to play all kinds of harmless jokes on friends, family, and sometimes strangers. Although, all the pranks should end exactly at noon. After that, the one playing the prank is considered the “April Fool”. The previously mentioned “you can grow your own spaghetti tree” originated in the UK. In 1957, the BBC program Panorama showed swiss farmers plucking spaghetti sticks from trees and a lot of people believed that it was real. It is still considered one of the greatest pranks in history.
In Poland, the “April Fool” day, also known as prima aprilis (First April in Latin), is a day of pranks and hoaxes. The pranks are played by normal people as well as the media and public institutions. On that day, people are doubtful of every word said. It is taken so seriously that the Polish-Roman alliance against the Ottomans was backdated to 31st March to avoid confusion.
In Denmark, the day is also celebrated on the 1st of May. This day is known as Maj-kat (my cat). If the prank is successful people will say, “Maj maj måne, jag kan lura dig till Skåne (May May moon, I can fool you into Scania).”
In Odesa, Ukraine, the first day of April is a holiday for the whole city and the festival of Humorina is celebrated. On this day, there are city-wide parades, carnival processions, concerts, competitions, and several other activities. The festival first began in 1973.
Apart from the spaghetti tree and low gravity pranks, there have been several memorable pranks that have fooled millions of people around the world.
Google loves pranking people on this day. Sometimes people fall for it, sometimes they don’t. Google also announces some actual changes on the first of April which people have to figure out if they are true or not. In 2005, Google announced the “Google Gulp” a low-carb drink that was supposed to enhance one’s brain. Google’s long list of fake products includes Google Romance, Gmail Paper, and Google Voice for Pets along with many others.
On April 1, 2008, The BBC show Miracles of Evolution showed footage of flying Adélie penguins. The show host, Terry Jones, told the viewers that these special penguins take flight in winters and migrate to South America to enjoy some sun. The video received millions of views; however, BBC, later on, posted a video about how these special effects were created.
After the invention of the phonograph by Thomas Edison, people were willing to believe that Edison can make anything. Taking advantage of that, on April 1, 1878, New York Graphic posted that Thomas Edison has invented the machine that can turn soil into cereal and water into wine. The article wasn’t only believed by the public but the news outlets around the country also bought into the prank.
In 1961, the Italian newspaper, La Notte, posted that due to the increasing motor traffic, the authorities in Milan have made it compulsory for horses to have tail-lights installed. The same day people with horses were rushing to the mechanics to have the lights installed on their horses.
This is one of the pranks that made people so furious that BBC had to spend several days apologizing to the people. In 1980, BBC overseas news announced that Big Ben was going to be digital in the light of the new age. They even announced that the first four called will also win the clock-hands since they will no longer be needed. People were upset about their beloved clock being meddled and the prank didn’t sit well with the viewers either.
There is one famous bizarre event that is held around several parts of the world on the first of April. It is known as The International Edible Book Festival. For the event, edible books are created, displayed, and consumed.
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