10 Greatest April Fools Day Hoaxes Of All Time
1. The April Fools' Origin Hoax (1 April 1984)
A reporter at The Boston Globe was given the job of writing about the origin of April Fools’ Day. He arranged an interview with Joseph Boskin, a history professor at Boston University.
Boskin knew nothing of the origins of April Fools’ Day. He was put forward for the job by his colleagues. So, when the reporter called from New York for the interview, Joseph Boskin did what any self-respecting history professor would do; he made something up.
He said that April Fools’ Day originated during the Roman Empire when a court Jester named Kugel said to Emperor Constantine that he could rule the empire as well or better than the Emperor himself. Amused by this, Emperor Constantine gave Kugel the opportunity to prove his boast by appointing Kugel “The King of Fools” and let him take over as Emperor for the day. Kugel decreed that, “Only the absurd would be allowed in the kingdom on this day.” And the custom stuck.
It was all nonsense. Made up on the spot. But the reporter didn’t twig.
Boskin admitted it was all nonsense a few weeks later but it is still quoted as true to this day.
Let's end with a quote from that infamous article:
“In a way, it was a very serious day. In those times fools were really wise men. It was the role of jesters to put things in perspective with humor.”