April Fools' Day is an annual celebration commemorating April 1st by playing practical jokes and spreading hoaxes on unsuspecting victims.

History

April Fools refers to the jokes and their victims. The pranksters often shout “April Fool”, exposing their prank.

April Fools can only be carried out up until noon, after this time it is no longer acceptable to play practical jokes.

Any person who plays a practical joke after midday is an “April fool” themselves.

As well as people playing pranks on one another on April Fools' Day, large corporations have also participated in playing elaborate practical jokes. These have then appeared on radio, television, newspapers and websites.

People have mixed reviews in regards to April Fools'. Seen by some as funny and by others in bad taste and some seen as just poorly thought out in general.

Spaghetti-tree Hoax

One famous prank was in 1957 when the BBC broadcast a film on their Panorama current affairs programme.

Referred to as the Swiss Spaghetti Harvest, the film appeared to show Swiss farmers picking freshly grown spaghetti.

Viewers inundated the BBC with requests following the broadcast asking where they could purchase a spaghetti plant.

Their response being: “place a sprig of spaghetti in a tin of tomato sauce and hope for the best”.

In the following days, the news declared the film a hoax.

Titanic Replica Prank

It’s not all jokes though. In 2001 a local radio DJ in Brighton told his listeners that there was a replica of the Titanic that could be seen off the coast at Beachy Head, East Sussex.

Listeners raced to the picturesque spot in their hundreds hoping to catch a glimpse of the wonder.

However, their disappointment soon turned to panic when a 5ft crack appeared in the 400ft cliff face due to the increased footfall.

Cordoning off the area, the coastguard and local council officials ordered people to leave for their safety.

Unfortunately, the affected cliff face slipped into the sea a few days later, fortunately, there were no injuries or casualties.

Laugh Yourself Healthy: 10 Health Benefits of Laughter

April Fools' can be good for your health, as it encourages jokes, pranks, silliness and of course, laughter.

For instance, did you know that laughter can:

1. Relieve stress
2. Keep your heart healthy
3. Enhance your health
4. Improve your memory
5. Improve your mood
6. Help control high blood pressure
7. Increase the flow of oxygen around the body
8. Boost immune systems
9. Be a natural form of exercise
10. Promote creativity

So, it’s true what they say. Laughter is the best medicine.

The April Fool’s Day / Leydon Logo

The adapted Leydon logo symbolises a jester or fool. Jesters, or fools, were historically entertainers during medieval and Renaissance times.

Employed mainly by noblemen and monarchs to entertain their guests; however, they were also entertainers for common folk at fairs and markets.

What’s your best April Fools' story?

Last updated: 01 April 2022