Why You Should Take April Fools Day (At Least a Little) Seriously

Ever wonder where April Fools’ Day came from? Well, surprise! The joke’s on you. Nobody seems to know its true origins. Historians do have some clues, though.

The 500-year history of a troll holiday.

These wacky pranks had some unexpected consequences.

At any given moment you could be accosted by a prankster — an agent of chaos. Here’s what you need to know.

Every year on April Fools Day, you might find yourself the victim of a practical joke or two—getting drenched by the bucket of water over the door trick, maybe, or getting shocked by a buzzer when you shake someone's hand. But why are these jokes called practical?

Practical jokes and pranks serve to both test social bonds and bring groups together, researchers find

Learn about these clever April Fools' Day hoaxes and pranks, including the famous Swiss spaghetti harvest.

A big question.

“Ah ha ha ha!” you will undoubtedly say. “Hee hee hee!” you might add. No refunds.

Mischievousness requires humor, wit and a playful humaneness: qualities that make for a particular kind of virtue.

From the man who “invented” the toaster to the origin of rickrolling.