April Fools' Day is celebrated every first day of April of each year. This day is marked as the day to be happy as people tease or throw prank on each other. However, though there are many reports on how it all started, April Fools' Day history has many roots in the past.
While some historians believe that April Fools' Day origins have something to do with the time of the year, many cultures celebrate the day of foolishness around the beginning of April. The Hindus have Holi, the Jewish have the Purim while the Romans have Hilaria festival on March 25.
Some historians believe that April Fools' Day was started by English pranksters, while some credited its history to as early as the 1500s. Do you know how it began?
Here are 5 Famous April Fools' Day Beginnings that have been popularized through time.
April Fools' Day History #1: According to History.com, one of the earliest beginnings of the April Fools' Day dates back in 1582 during the time France adjusted using the Julian calendar to the Gregorian calendar.
People who were not aware of the changes in the calendar were referred to as "poisson d'avril" (April fish) that means "young, easily caught fish and a gullible person."
April Fools' Day History#2: Another early history of April Fools' Day can be dated back on April 1, 1957 when the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) informed the viewers that there were "exceptionally heavy spaghetti crop" in Switzerland that time.
BBC in fact showed it on video that there were people picking noodles from the trees. Those who believed the fake video asked the station where they could find the spaghetti bush, according to the National Geographic.
April Fools' Day History#3: In 1905, the European and American tabloids scattered the news that thieves had passed through a tunnel under the U.S. Federal Treasury to steal their silver and gold. It hit the headlines worldwide believing it was true. It was previously reported by a German newspaper, the Berliner Tageblatt.
April Fools' Day History#4: In 1985, Sports Illustrated deceived readers by writing an article that a rookie pitcher named Sidd Finch could throw a fastball over 168 miles per hour.
April Fools' Day History#5: Taco Bell, fast food restaurant made a fake announcement in 1996 that they agreed to purchase Philadelphia's Liberty Bell. They even told everyone that they would name it Taco Liberty Bell.
