First lady Jill Biden waves as she boards a plane before departing from Meadows Field Airport in Bakersfield, Calif., April 1, 2021. AP Newssource
From France to the U.S. to Iceland, April Fools’ Day is celebrated with pranks, jokes, and elaborate hoaxes. Whether it’s a harmless sticky note on someone’s back or a viral news hoax, April 1 is all about fooling friends, family, and even entire nations.
The Mystery Behind April Fools’ Day
The origins of April Fools’ Day remain uncertain, though historians believe it dates back centuries.
One theory links it to 16th-century France, when King Charles IX changed New Year’s celebrations from late March to January 1. People unaware of the change were mocked, leading to the tradition of playing tricks.
Another theory ties it to the 1582 shift from the Julian to the Gregorian calendar, where some people continued celebrating the old New Year in April and became the targets of jokes.
Some believe the day is connected to the March 21 vernal equinox, when unpredictable weather “fools” people with sudden changes.
The earliest recorded reference comes from 1561, when Flemish poet Eduard De Dene wrote about a nobleman sending his servant on pointless errands—a tradition that still lives on in April Fools’ pranks today.
Famous April Fools’ Day Pranks
Over the years, pranksters have staged some unforgettable hoaxes.
Jill Biden as a Flight Attendant (2021) – Then-First Lady Jill Biden disguised herself as a flight attendant, handing out ice cream bars on a plane before revealing her true identity with a laugh and an “April Fools!”
Google’s Outrageous Announcements – Google has made April 1 a tradition of bizarre announcements, including a job opening for a moon-based research center and a scratch-and-sniff search engine feature.
Nixon’s Fake Presidential Comeback (1992) – NPR tricked listeners by announcing that former U.S. President Richard Nixon—who resigned in 1974—was running for office again. A comedian impersonated Nixon, claiming, “I never did anything wrong, and I won’t do it again.”
Big Ben’s Digital Makeover (1980) – The BBC pranked the world by claiming Big Ben would go digital and be renamed "Digital Dave." Outraged listeners weren’t amused!
How the World Celebrates Foolishness
While pranks happen worldwide, traditions vary by country.
France – The French call it Poisson d’Avril (April Fish). Children play tricks by sticking paper fish onto people's backs.
Scotland – The Scots historically celebrate for two days. April 1 is “Gowkie Day,” where people send each other on fool’s errands. The next day, children prank others with “kick me” signs.
Iceland – Icelanders try to make people "hlaupa apríl" (run an April)—essentially tricking them into traveling somewhere unnecessarily. Even news agencies participate, publishing fake headlines for fun.
Stay Alert—Or Get Fooled!
As April 1 approaches, expect tricky headlines, playful deception, and plenty of laughter. But before believing any shocking news, take a moment to double-check your sources—you never know who’s trying to fool you!
