Did you have it away that April Fool ’s 24-hour interval was widely popularized in this country by an unlikely rootage " “ President William McKinley ? On April 1 , 1897 , McKinley convert his staff that he was serious about nominating bitter rival William Jennings Bryan to the Supreme Court . The story appeared in several newspapers the following 24-hour interval , and McKinley had to release a statement saying he was only joking . He signed this statement , " April Fools , Bill McKinley . "

OK , that ’s not true at all . But April Fool ’s daylight is a liberal liberty chit to lie and laugh about it , and it ’s less than a hebdomad away . Â   The Museum of Hoaxes put together the definitive list ofApril Fool ’s mean solar day pranks . Here are a few :

" In an effort to help the home debt , Taco Bell is proud of to harbinger that we have agreed to purchase the Liberty Bell , one of our country ’s most historic treasures . It will now be call the ' Taco Liberty Bell and will still be accessible to the American populace for viewing . While some may find this controversial , we hope our move will prompt other corporation to take similar action to do their part to reduce the commonwealth ’s debt . "

6 . On April 1 , 1992 , NPR’sTalk of the Nationwith John Hockenberry play snip of Richard Nixon once again declaring his candidacy for President . His newfangled slogan : " I did n’t do anything wrong , and I wo n’t do it again . " I have a backbreaking time believing people really bought into this , but the Museum of Hoaxes tell angry callers expressed their furore until Hockenberry give away Rich Little was doing his famous Nixon printing .

10 . On April 1 , 1976 , British astronomer Patrick Moore announced on BBC Radio 2 that at 9:47 AM a once - in - a - life astronomical event was going to come about . Pluto would devolve behind Jupiter , temporarily causing a gravitational alinement that would undermine and diminish the Earth ’s own soberness . Moore separate his listeners that if they jump in the aviation at the exact bit that this planetary alinement occurred , they would experience a unknown floating sensation . When 9:47 AM arrived , BBC2 get to invite 100 of headphone calls from listeners arrogate to have matte the wizard . One charwoman even reported that she and her eleven friends had risen from their chairs and float around the elbow room .

See the ease of the Top 100here .