© HISTORY



April Fools’ Day is a day when people play pranks on each other. That is why people call it not only April Fools’ Day but also “All Fools’ Day.” Although the day is not a national holiday, in many parts of the West, it is considered a sort of celebration. Traditionally, in a few countries, people pull April Fools’ pranks on their family, acquaintances and others only before the afternoon, and inform them that it was just a joke. Those who are tricked by April Fools’ pranks are often teased as “April Fools” or “April Fish.”

Origin of April Fools’ Day

Primarily observed in Europe, the tradition of April Fools’ Day is widely believed to have originated in France. Before the adoption of the Gregorian (solar) calendar, many Europeans celebrated the New Year starting on March 25, concluding the festivities on April 1.

Following the adoption of the Gregorian calendar in 1564, Charles IX of France designated January 1 as the official start of the new year. However, there was significant backlash against this change. Many continued to celebrate and observe April 1, even though it had become a “false” New Year’s Day. An infuriated King Charles IX went as far as arresting those who continued to celebrate the “false” New Year, eventually ordering their executions.

In the wake of these incidents, the French public was profoundly shaken by the King’s extreme measures. To protest the King’s decree and ensure the incidents were never forgotten, French people continued to celebrate the “false” New Year every April 1 in secret. This act of remembrance eventually became the origin of what we now know as April Fools’ Day.

Legendary April Fools’ Pranks from History

Korea

In Korea, a classic April Fools’ prank involves a recurring rumor that “The famous Wobbling Rock on Seoraksan has finally been pushed off the cliff.” Every April 1, in Korea, social media platforms are flooded with satirical posts claiming that Seoraksan’s Wobbling Rock has finally fallen. These posts often feature clever “fake videos” showing a tourist push ing or leaning on the rock until it appears to tumble down the cliff.

U.K

On April Fools’ Day in 2008, the BBC stunned the world by broadcasting a segment claiming that they had discovered a flying penguin. The BBC’s documentary team aired a video of a penguin flying into the sky, claiming that they had succeeded in capturing the “amazing flying scene of an Adélie penguin” through an expedition conducted just a day before April Fools’ Day. Most people were fooled by the high-quality video, but it was later revealed as an April Fools’ prank.

Netherlands

A broadcaster in the Netherlands reported fake news claiming that the famous Italian landmark, the Leaning Tower of Pisa, had collapsed. Many people actually believed the story because the Leaning Tower of Pisa is famously tilted. Humorously, some shocked viewers even called the broadcaster to confirm whether the news was true or not.



Sweden

In 1962, when people used black-and-white TVs, a broadcaster in Sweden played a funny April Fools’ prank. A technical expert at the Swedish broadcaster claimed, “A new technology that can transform black and-white TVs into color TVs has been developed. The method is simple: when you put stockings over the TV screen, it turns into a color TV.”



After that, a funny incident took place: millions of people who watched the broadcast actually put stockings on their TVs.

April Fools’ Day is a cultural tradition where we can enjoy the day by sharing light jokes with one another. However, excessive pranks can not only hurt others’ feelings but also damage relationships. Only by keeping pranks appropriate for the situation can April Fools’ Day remain a tradition that everyone can enjoy.

Reporter

Jaeho Lim

limjaeho4119@seoultech.ac.kr

Reporter 임재호

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