April Fools' Day brings centuries of practical jokes and hoaxes

April Fools' Day is celebrated on April 1st in many countries including France, Iceland, and the United States, known for its playfulness and practical jokes. The day encourages participants to indulge in elaborate hoaxes and light-hearted deception, traditionally marked by the phrase 'April Fools!' to signal a successful prank. Its history is complex, with possible origins linked to 1564 in France, when King Charles IX moved the New Year from March to January, leading to mockery of those who continued to celebrate in spring. Another theory ties the day to the March 21 vernal equinox, a time when unexpected weather shifts could lead to deceptive situations. Pranks vary regionally; in the U.S., popular acts often include classic tricks like placing a whoopee cushion or pinning a fish to someone's back. Noteworthy pranksters have included significant figures like Jill Biden and Google co-founders Larry Page and Sergey Brin, who have made headlines with their humorous antics over the years. For instance, in 2021, Jill Biden impersonated a flight attendant, while Google often shares outlandish job postings or imaginary features on their search engine. Outside the U.S., the pranking culture is rich, exemplified by the BBC's 1980 claim of Big Ben converting to digital format. The celebration may differ in various countries; for example, in Scotland, April 1st is referred to as 'Gowkie Day', a two-day event where participants engage in humorous pranks, followed by more overt physical jokes, like placing signs on people's backs the following day. Regardless of its precise history, the essence of April Fools' Day as a time for playful deception has endured through the generations, continuing to amuse and surprise those who participate each year.