Patriot Realm

The exact origins of April Fools’ Day remain unclear, but historians have traced it back to several possible sources, blending historical events, cultural customs, and folklore. 

Yet it seems like April Fools’ Day has become a year-round event in the real world. The line between satire and reality is so blurred that people fall for the most ridiculous things. I mean, when you have AI-generated celebrities endorsing fake products, deepfake politicians making speeches, and media outlets pushing absurd narratives with a straight face, it’s no wonder people are struggling to tell fact from fiction.

It feels like common sense has gone on holiday and left no forwarding address. No need for spaghetti trees or gumboot-wearing turkeys anymore .... just flash a clickbait headline and people will gobble it up. 

Gullibility seems to be increasing, but it has been around for a long time. ........

In our modern world, every day somehow seems like April Fools Day, don't you think?  It’s like a perfect storm of gullibility, a cocktail of media manipulation, social media groupthink, and mental laziness, shaken, not stirred. 

I mean, “influencers” selling bottled air and mainstream outlets reporting on “studies” that claim everything from coffee to breathing is dangerous...it’s no wonder people are confused. 

But let's get the serious stuff out of the way first.

One of the most popular explanations links April Fools’ Day to the adoption of the Gregorian calendar in 1582. Most of Europe followed the Julian calendar, with the new year beginning around late March, often celebrated on April 1. However, after 1582, Pope Gregory XIII introduced the Gregorian calendar, moving New Year’s Day to January 1.  Not everyone got the memo right away. Those who continued to celebrate the old New Year in April were considered “fools”. People played pranks on them, giving them fake party invitations or pretending celebrations were still happening. 

Some literary historians argue that Geoffrey Chaucer may have unintentionally inspired April Fools’ Day in his Canterbury Tales. In the “Nun’s Priest’s Tale,” he describes “32 March,” which may have been a misinterpretation of April 1. The tale involves a foolish rooster tricked by a fox, fitting the day’s themes of gullibility. 

April Fools’ Day became widely popular in 18th-century Britain, with a two-day event in Scotland known as “Huntigowk Day.” The first day involved sending people on foolish errands. The second day, “Tailie Day,” involved pinning fake tails or "kick me" signs on people. 

In India, the festival of Holi (celebrated in March) includes pranks and the throwing of coloured powders. 

The 13th day of the Persian New Year (Sizdah Bedar), falling around April 1 or 2, involves playing pranks, similar to April Fools’ Day.

April Fools’ Day: The Greatest Pranks of All Time – From Spaghetti Trees to Turkeys in Gumboots

I have searched around and have found some pretty good pranks that have been played over the years. I hope you enjoy them 

Turkeys in Gumboots – New Zealand’s Farmyard Farce

In 1989, New Zealanders tuning into the popular TV show Country Calendar were treated to a groundbreaking farming innovation: gumboots for turkeys.

• The segment claimed farmers were fitting their turkeys with tiny red and black gumboots to protect them from mud-related foot diseases.

• Footage showed turkeys strutting around in their stylish new footwear, and the farmers earnestly explained how the gumboots improved turkey morale and productivity.

• The prank was so convincing that viewers flooded the station with calls, eager to buy turkey gumboots for their own flocks.

• I remember watching this by the way! 

The Great Spaghetti Harvest – BBC, 1957

Long before fake news became a thing, the BBC set the gold standard for televised pranks with its 1957 Panorama broadcast.

• The segment featured Swiss farmers “harvesting” spaghetti from trees, casually explaining how a mild winter had led to an abundant spaghetti crop.

• Viewers saw footage of happy villagers plucking strands of spaghetti and laying them out to dry in the sun.

• The broadcast was so convincing that many people called the BBC, asking how they could grow their own spaghetti trees. 

The UFO Landing – UK, 1989

In one of the most elaborate pranks ever staged, British entrepreneur Richard Branson took April Fools’ Day to another level.

• He commissioned a hot air balloon shaped like a UFO, complete with flashing lights and eerie sound effects.

• As it landed in a field near London, panicked residents called emergency services, convinced they were witnessing an alien invasion.

• When the police arrived, a silver-suited alien emerged from the craft - only to reveal himself as Richard Branson, grinning from ear to ear. 

Mutant Crickets Invade New Zealand – 2007

In 2007, New Zealanders were once again duped, this time by TV3 News.

• The network aired a report claiming the country was being overrun by giant mutant crickets.

• Footage showed huge CGI crickets destroying crops, swarming the streets, and causing general chaos.

• The prank was so realistic that concerned citizens flooded emergency hotlines, convinced a plague of King Kong-sized insects was upon them.

Google’s “Gmail Motion” – 2011

Tech giant Google has made a tradition of trolling its users on April Fools’ Day, but in 2011, they outdid themselves.

• They announced “Gmail Motion”, a revolutionary feature allowing users to control their email with body gestures.

• The demo video featured a man making exaggerated arm movements to “send” and “delete” emails.

• Some users were so convinced that they tried to enable the feature - only to discover they had been pranked. 

Australia’s Drop Bear Hoax

Leave it to Australia to invent one of the most terrifying fake creatures: the drop bear.

• Each April 1st, Australian media warns tourists about vicious, predatory koalas that leap from trees and attack unsuspecting victims.

• Elaborate “public service announcements” advise tourists to smear Vegemite behind their ears to ward off drop bears.

• Despite its absurdity, tourists regularly fall for the prank, asking park rangers for drop bear safety tips. 

 I couldn't find a video of the actual event so this will have to do. 

Left-Handed Whoppers – Burger King, 1998

In 1998, Burger King ran a full-page ad in USA Today, introducing the Left-Handed Whopper.

• The ad claimed the burger was specifically designed for left-handed customers, with all the condiments rotated 180 degrees.

• Thousands of customers flocked to Burger King, demanding the left-handed burger, unaware it was a prank.

• Some customers even requested right-handed versions, just to be safe. 

Flying Penguins – BBC, 2008

The BBC struck again in 2008, this time with a nature documentary claiming scientists had discovered a new species of flying penguins.

• The video showed Adélie penguins gracefully soaring over the Antarctic, migrating to the rainforests of South America.

• Narrated by Terry Jones of Monty Python fame, the footage was so realistic that many viewers believed it.

• The prank was actually a promotion for the BBC iPlayer, but it remains one of the most convincing hoaxes ever aired. 

Google Maps “Treasure Mode” – 2013

In 2013, Google Maps introduced a “Treasure Mode” feature, transforming the world map into a pirate treasure map.

• Users could follow cryptic clues and hunt for imaginary buried treasure.

• The map was decorated with parchment-style graphics, compasses, and treasure chests, making it feel like a real adventure. 

Smell-o-Vision – BBC, 1965

In 1965, the BBC claimed to have developed “Smell-o-Vision”—a technology allowing viewers to smell aromas through their TV sets.

• During the broadcast, they encouraged viewers to sniff their screens to detect the scent of onions and coffee.

• Many people called the BBC claiming they could indeed smell the broadcast, proving the power of suggestion.

Honorable Mentions

• Taco Liberty Bell (1996): Taco Bell announced it had purchased the Liberty Bell, renaming it the “Taco Liberty Bell”.

• YouTube’s Rickroll Takeover (2008): Every YouTube video link redirected users to Rick Astley’s “Never Gonna Give You Up”.

• The Sydney Iceberg Hoax (1978): An Australian businessman floated a fake iceberg into Sydney Harbour, claiming he was selling small chunks as “genuine iceberg water.”

Conclusion: A Day for Fools, Fun, and Folly

It makes you wonder: are we living in an April Fools’ Day loop?  The only difference is that the jokes aren’t funny anymore. Like our Prime Minister and our upcoming election.

And after reading this, you may now understand some of our bloody election results!  ....