30 People Shared April Fools’ Pranks That Are Too Good Not To Try

April Fools’ Day (or it can be called All Fools' Day) is an annual custom of practical jokes and hoaxes that is always on April 1st. Historically, the custom focuses on harmless pranks and jokes being played and “April Fools!” being shouted afterward, but sadly, sometimes people take things too far. 

And it’s not only just regular people getting involved in these jokes -- big organizations and corporations can be on them, too. Even the mass media sometimes partakes in these pranks, revealing the truth the next day. 

For instance, in 1957, the BBC television program Panorama ran a hoax, and the purpose was to show the Swiss harvesting spaghetti from trees. After this broadcast, many people reached out to the BBC, wanting to know how to grow their own spaghetti trees.

Another example would be the BBC reporting that they’re conducting a trial of a new technology that allows the transmission of odors over the airwaves to all viewers. Funnily, for loads of viewers, the placebo effect worked, and they contacted BBC to tell them the trial was a success when, in reality, it couldn’t have been. It even happens today, so many years after the initial prank. 

Interestingly, there are no clear origins where this funny day came from. Of course, there are theories about it. For instance, some historians link it to the Hilaria festival in ancient Rome, which was marked at the end of March. This custom involved people dressing in disguises and mocking fellow citizens. 

Some others argue that this modern custom originates from France due to the Edict of Roussillon, in which Charles IX declared that the new year would begin on January 1st instead of Easter. And since Easter was lunar, meaning it was a moveable date, those who clung to the old ways were the “April Fools.” 

Yet another theory argues that the timing of April Fools' Day is related to the vernal equinox, a time when people are fooled by sudden changes in the weather.

Maybe you have your own theory of why this day came to be. Or maybe you simply have a story about a prank you committed or fell victim to? Share it all with us in the comments! And don't forget to upvote the most interesting pranks you see on the list!