April first is celebrated throughout the world with jokes, pranks and some interesting local traditions. International eCommerce shipper MyUS salutes its members around the globe, and their sense of humor on one of the most light-hearted days of the year.
Denmark
On April 1st, 1965, a Danish newspaper reported in jest on a proposed new law that would require all black dogs to be painted white. Why? To increase road safety by making the dogs easier to see at night.
Italy, France, and Belgium
A popular April Fool’s tradition in these countries involves taping a paper fish to someone’s back. This ‘April fish’ symbolizes a young, gullible person, or easily caught fish.
Germany
German automaker BMW has a history of fake April Fool’s ads promoting everything from road warmers and a self-cleaning car to the Postnatal Royal Auto Mobile (PRAM.)
Greece
In Thraki, a region in Northern Greece, rain that falls on April first is believed to be therapeutic. It is collected in bottles and saved to drink when someone is sick.
Portugal
Portuguese revelers celebrate a two-day version of April Fool’s on the Sunday and Monday before Lent. The prank of choice? Throwing flour on one another.
Poland
In Poland, people don’t take anything that happens on April 1st seriously. This conviction is so strong that the anti-Turkish alliance with Leopold the first, signed on April 1st, 1683, was backdated to the 31st of March.
Scotland
The Scottish two-day celebration includes Hunt the Gowk day, where friends are sent on ‘fool’s errands’. On the following Taily Day, ‘kick me’ signs abound, as well as other posterior jokes.
India
On April 1st, 2015, the Indian taxi cab company Ola got in on the fun by tweeting out its revolutionary new concept, OlaAir – a helicopter cab service.
United Kingdom
In the UK, joking ends at noon, and the victims of pranks are called ‘noodles.’ Anyone playing a prank after midday is considered an April Fool.