History of April Fools' Day in Timeline

April Fools' Day, observed annually on April 1st, is a custom characterized by playing practical jokes and hoaxes. Pranksters often reveal their actions by shouting "April Fools!" at the recipient. Mass media outlets sometimes participate in these pranks, disclosing them the following day. This tradition of dedicating a day to harmless pranks has been historically widespread across various cultures.

1957: BBC Spaghetti Tree Hoax

In 1957, the BBC broadcasted a segment on Panorama showing Swiss farmers harvesting spaghetti from trees, which was revealed to be a hoax after numerous inquiries.

1957: Controversy Surrounding BBC "spaghetti-tree hoax"

In 1957, the BBC's "spaghetti-tree hoax" provoked mixed reactions, with some considering it a great joke while others viewed it as a deception of the public.

1973: Inauguration of Humorina in Odesa

In 1973, the April Fools' Day celebration known as Humorina began in Odesa, Ukraine, featuring parades, concerts, fairs, and pranks.

1993: Publication of April Fool's Day by Bryce Courtenay

In 1993, Bryce Courtenay's novel, "April Fool's Day", was published; the title refers to the day Courtenay's son died.

2004: Gmail Launch Misinterpreted

In 2004, Google announced the launch of Gmail with 1-gigabyte inboxes, which many dismissed as an April Fools' joke due to the comparatively large storage offering.

2010: Start of International Clown Festival

In 2010, the April Fools' Day celebrations in Odesa expanded to include an International Clown Festival, adding to the existing Humorina festivities.

2019: Odesa Film Studio Anniversary Celebration

In 2019, the Humorina festival was dedicated to the 100th anniversary of the Odesa Film Studio, with all events emphasizing cinema.

March 2020: Warnings Against April Fools' Day Observance

In March 2020, various organizations warned against observing April Fools' Day due to the COVID-19 pandemic and a need to avoid spreading misinformation.