- The origins of the holiday are unknown, but England made April Fools’ Day in 1700, as a day for people to play pranks on each other. The tradition quickly gained popularity throughout the UK during the 18th century.
- No one knows exactly where, when or why April Fool’s Day began.
- April Fool’s Day is not an official holiday.
- April Fool’s Day was first known as “All Fool’s Day.”
- French children fool their friends by taping a paper fish to their friends’ backs.
- In Scotland, April Fools’ lasts two days.
Famous pranks:
In 1996, Taco Bell Corp rans a full-page ad in several major newspapers claiming it had purchased the Liberty Bell and was renaming it the “Taco Liberty Bell.”
In 2008 the BBC ran a video clip of flying penguins as part of a story for its series “Miracles of Evolution.” The presenter explains that the penguins escaped the cold, harsh Antarctic weather by flying to the tropical rainforests of South America.
And, every year since 1986, press releases for the non-existent, New York City April Fools’ Day Parade.