For years, the origin of April Fool’s Day has been argued. There are different theories about the worldwide event. The most popular reason was attributed to the “Calendar Change in 1582.” Pope Gregory XIII ordered to replace the old Julian calendar with the Gregorian calendar. The Gregorian calendar refers to January 1 as the new “New Year’s Day” celebration. According to some explanations, numerous people refused to accept the change, or weren’t informed about it, and continued New Year’s Day celebration on April 1 which was the custom from old Julian calendars.
As a sign of revolt against the old Julian calendar practitioners, the people who wanted to advance the change began to make fun of those people who refused to accept January 1st. They tricked them into believing that April 1 was a hoax New Year day. This practice spread. As years have passed, the day has evolved into the April Fool’s Day that we know today.
Everyone loves April Fool’s Day pranks. Well, almost everyone. Most pranks are light-hearted and bring about a good laugh. Here are three of the most epic pranks that went viral.
1. Sam Hyde Gives TED Talks The Pranking They Deserve!
Most people love TED talks’ motivational, breezy, and grandiose speeches. Brooklyn-based comedian and filmmaker Sam Hyde (wearing a gladiator costume over sweatpants) sneaked onto a TEDx program at Drexel University to prank the popular movement.
He delivered a ridiculous, incomprehensible 20-minute talk on the “2070 paradigm shift” only for the audience to learn after that it was all a joke. It made TEDx HISTORY!
The best part was when he discussed “What inspires me, is teaching African refugees how to program Javascript. What inspires me is finding out how to use MagLev trains to get resources to the moon. These are the challenges that tomorrow’s going to face.”
Watch the confusing presentation unfold here.
2. Thinkmodo’s Telekinetic Coffee Shop Surprise
Thinkmodo executed a clever viral video production by making a Carrie-like scene in a New York City coffee shop. The Twilight Zone-like events begin to unfold after a guy “accidentally” spills coffee on her MacBook. This sets off the woman’s telekinesis trip.
First, she controls the guy by pushing him onto the wall, lifting him up and dropping him back down, all while being feet away and never touching him. Next, the tables and chairs slide out as if they followed the directions of her waving hands. Last, books begin to fly off shelves and objects move as she lets out a blood-curdling scream. Everybody in the coffee shop, including innocent customers, were rightfully scared.
Watch this genius cinematography here.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VlOxlSOr3_M
3. Antartic Iceberg in the Sydney Harbor!
This next prank may not be of the tech-type, but it certainly set precedence for viral pranks back in the day.
In 1978, a millionaire and adventurer named Dick Smith announced he would be towing an iceberg from Antarctica into the Sydney Harbor. He would then chop up the ice into small ice cubes and sale them for 10 cents each. He even proclaimed that his Antarctic ice cubes would improve the flavor of any drink they cooled. Whoa!
Smith did succeed in bringing the iceberg into the harbor. The media went on site to cover the big news, and a lot of people gathered around with sheer amazement. But suddenly, the rain poured, washing away the firefighting foam and shaving cream that the gigantic ice was made of. It was all a big prank; one of Australia’s most memorable pranks. Dick had whipped together the “iceberg” that morning. He then had several of his employees drum up the hype by calling news stations, radio, and newspapers that morning to exclaim over what appeared to be an iceberg in the harbor.
Read more about this timeless prank here.
Laughter is a mysterious gift. It can make the gloomiest days bright, and bright days, brighter. We hope you enjoy April Fool’s Day.
Don’t forget to check out some of Google’s best April Fool’s Day and Easter egg pranks.