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Arts & Entertainment

Video: Gullible People Unite! The History Of April Fools' Day


By

Ben Yakas

Published Mar 31, 2012

Modified Mar 31, 2012


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By

Ben Yakas

Published Mar 31, 2012

Modified Mar 31, 2012


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The stupidest non-religious annual tradition is almost upon us: tomorrow is April Fools' Day, and some of you will likely be pranked by your absolutely hilarious relatives, co-workers and acquaintances. For anyone who loves regaling people at parties with stories about how gullible they are, we recommend unplugging your computer, avoiding all calls, and coming up with better small talk topics for the future. For everyone else, we recommend you EDUCATE yourself with this informative history video below. Unless of course this video is some sort of early prank itself...

It's lovely to learn that April Fools' Day comes from a long tradition of mocking and harassing the ignorant, the stubborn, and the curmudgeonly—a tradition that has been passed down to our finest satirists and our greatest minds. For more fine information about the greatest pranks in history—including that time Taco Bell said it bought the Liberty Bell, the legend of Sidd Finch, the San Serriffe republic, and the left handed Whopper—check out this list here.

Otherwise, the most important thing is to be skeptical, and be prepared. So familiarize yourself with the laziest pranks, internet hoaxes, pranks of recent years, and—what the heck—Blur's fantastic reunion single "Fool's Day."

Tagged

april fools day

gullible

hate

history

holidays

pranks


Ben Yakas

Ben Yakas is a former Gothamist reporter.

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Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations


Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations


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