April Fools' Day

2024 - 4 - 1

April Fools' Day: A History of Pranks and Tricks

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Discover the origins of April Fools' Day and the most famous pranks played worldwide!

April Fools' Day has become a global tradition of pranks, jokes, and tricks observed on April 1 each year. The exact origin of this humorous day remains a mystery, with historians speculating it dates back to France's calendar change in 1582. From Ottawa's Bark & Ride prank to online jokes, the spirit of April Fools' Day is alive and well.

In modern times, the internet has become a platform for elaborate jokes on April 1. Major corporations, brands, and celebrities all join in the fun, attempting to outdo each other with creative pranks. Despite the evolution of technology, the essence of April Fools' Day remains unchanged โ€“ a day dedicated to lighthearted humor and playful deceptions.

Around the world, April Fools' Day takes on various forms. The Scottish once celebrated Huntigowk Day, the French enjoy pranking with fish, and Iranians have ancient customs tied to the day. This global tradition highlights the universal appeal of humor and the joy of good-natured jokes.

While the history of April Fools' Day may be shrouded in mystery, its impact on culture and society is undeniable. Whether through classic pranks or modern online hoaxes, this day continues to bring laughter and amusement to people worldwide.

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Image courtesy of "CBS News"

How did April Fools' Day start and what are some famous pranks? (CBS News)

The annual day of jokes, pranks and tricks falls on April 1 each year, but no one is quite sure how the tradition started.

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Image courtesy of "The New York Times"

Opinion | April Fools' Day Is Coming to a Political System Near You (The New York Times)

Ms. Collins and Mr. Stephens are Opinion columnists. They converse every week. Gail Collins: Hey, Bret, we just hit April Fools' Day.

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Image courtesy of "CTV Edmonton"

A look at some of the April Fools' Day jokes in Ottawa (CTV Edmonton)

OC Transpo kicked off April Fools' Day by announcing the launch of a Bark & Ride, saying it is a pilot project to "combat pet loneliness." "With more and more ...

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Image courtesy of "The Indianapolis Star"

The internet is over April Fools' Day. Here's what people are saying ... (The Indianapolis Star)

It's April 1, which means it is April Fools' Day, but there haven't been many jokes online so far this year. X users share why.

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Image courtesy of "101.5 The Hawk"

Happy April Fools Day! Where did the tradition come from? (101.5 The Hawk)

Some historians speculate that April Fools' Day dates back to 1582, when France switched from the Julian calendar to the Gregorian calendar, as called for by ...

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Image courtesy of "Los Angeles Times"

April Fools' Day was really something back in the day, these 3 ... (Los Angeles Times)

Good morning. It's Monday, April 1. Here's what you need to know to start your day. Remember these classic California pranks? Easter weekend storms brought ...

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Image courtesy of "The Independent"

April Fool's Day 2024: The best jokes and pranks today (The Independent)

From major corporations, brands, and even celebrities, everyone wants to be in on the fun, as they all try to outdo each other. Some ...

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Image courtesy of "Boston 25 News"

April Fool's Day: Why do we celebrate fools on the first of April? (Boston 25 News)

So far today you've put toothpaste in your kid's Oreos, brought mayo-filled Krispy Kremes to your co-workers, and placed a rubber band around the faucet ...

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Image courtesy of "YourObserver.com"

The Observer plays dirty for April Fools' Day (YourObserver.com)

It was a dirty trick. But we played it anyway. Our annual April Fools' Day edition was published on March 28, in accordance with our usual Observer ...

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Image courtesy of "KIRO Seattle"

April Fool's Day: Why do we celebrate fools on the first of April? (KIRO Seattle)

So far today you've put toothpaste in your kid's Oreos, brought mayo-filled Krispy Kremes to your co-workers, and placed a rubber band around the faucet ...

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Image courtesy of "Yahoo Canada Finance"

What April Fools' Day looks like around the world (Yahoo Canada Finance)

The Scottish used to call it Huntigowk Day. The French use it as an excuse to prank people with fish. Iranians have a version tied to ancient customs.

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Image courtesy of "Anchorage Daily News"

Miss Manners: April Fools' Day is no joke when it's your birthday (Anchorage Daily News)

DEAR MISS MANNERS: Through no one's fault, I was born on the worst date ever. Each birth anniversary, there's a well-meaning but hurtful practical joke.

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Image courtesy of "Worcester Telegram"

Practical jokes and pranks: April Fools' Day in Worcester (Worcester Telegram)

WORCESTER โ€• Traditionally, April Fools' Day ushers in practical jokes, pranks and gags galore. Several local businesses and organizations are "celebrating" ...

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Image courtesy of "Social Samosa"

Brands prank consumers with faux products in April Fools Day ... (Social Samosa)

April Fools' Day, saw people playing pranks, with brands joining in on the online fun. While some brands went big with their campaigns, others kept it ...

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Image courtesy of "Forbes"

April Fools' 2.0: AI Is Crafting Ultimate Pranks You Won't See Coming (Forbes)

Buckle up, dear reader, for a ride into a future where your coffee maker might just be in on the joke.

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Image courtesy of "Worcester Mag"

'Is One Eleven Chop House haunted?' and other dubious ... (Worcester Mag)

Sure, I understand intellectually that not every lost diner or dive bar is the result of gentrification: Owners retire, or sometimes a chef-change results in a ...

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Image courtesy of "USA TODAY College"

April Fools' Day pranks: Apps to translate baby stoner sayings, a ... (USA TODAY College)

April Fools' Day is Monday, April 1. Here's some pranks and jokes you can get in on early, including fake personal care products and a new Tinder job.

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Image courtesy of "Prince George Citizen"

Gotcha! Happy April Fool's Day! (Prince George Citizen)

Did you believe The Prince George Citizen really took over the Hell Yeah Prince George Facebook page? It was an April Fool's Day prank.

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Image courtesy of "USA TODAY"

Watch 9 pranks sweetly fool these unsuspecting souls for a good ... (USA TODAY)

From a strangely familiar restaurant server to an unexpected pizza delivery driver: these nine delightful pranks fooled people in the sweetest way.

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Image courtesy of "CTV News"

Drones, cheesy cupcakes and Barbie: Manitoba businesses taking ... (CTV News)

This includes some Manitoba businesses and organizations, who are pranking their followers using drones, the Barbie craze and a candy-coated burger. The ...

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Image courtesy of "The Washington Post"

Sriracha toothpaste, ranch Smarties and more April Fools' food pranks (The Washington Post)

On April Fools' Day, an era of unlikely brand mashups and crazy flavor combinations makes it harder to know which food ideas are real and which are pranks.

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Image courtesy of "Toronto.com"

Did you fall for any of these April Fools' Day jokes? (Toronto.com)

Here's what Canada's Wonderland, Metro, Shoppers Drug Mart, Lay's, Netflix and Prime had up their sleeves this April Fools' Day.

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Image courtesy of "Eagle News"

Is April Fools Day Worth the Hype? (Eagle News)

April Fool's Day is often a day I overlook. Since middle school, it seemed like a dumb tradition to me. It's just the beginning of a new month.

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Image courtesy of "CTV News"

The April Fool's Day pranks Manitoba businesses participated in (CTV News)

This includes some Manitoba businesses and organizations, who are pranking their followers using drones, the Barbie craze and a candy-coated burger. The ...

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Image courtesy of "Today.com"

April Fools' Day Food Pranks 2024: Dunkin's Name Change and More (Today.com)

A list of food brands' and restaurants' April Fools' Day pranks from 7-Eleven, Dunkin', Krispy Kreme, Pringles and Olipop, Hidden Valley and Smarties, ...

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Image courtesy of "Space.com"

There's an April Fools' Day prank about the 2024 solar eclipse ... (Space.com)

An April Fool's Day joke by the University of Vermont suggests the date and path of the April 8 total solar eclipse have been miscalculated.

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Image courtesy of "WCAX"

UVM casts doubt on eclipse in April Fools' Day joke (WCAX)

The University of ...

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