From the Museum of Hoaxes....the best April Fools gags

[Dover]

More April Fool's gags

By KAT BERGERON

THE SUN HERALD


Here are some more large scale April Fool's Day jokes that have been perpetrated throughout history:

Space Shuttle Lands in San Diego: In 1993 Dave Rickards, a deejay at KGB-FM in San Diego, announced that the space shuttle Discovery had been diverted from Edwards Air Force Base and would instead soon land at Montgomery Field, a small airport in the middle of a residential area just outside the city. Thousands of commuters immediately headed toward the landing site, causing enormous traffic jams.

True age of Britney Spears: In 1999 the Wall of Sound music Web site reported Britney was 11 years older than popularly believed, making her 28 instead of 17. The revelation followed on the heels of a controversial cover for Rolling Stone with Spears in a seductive pose. WOS included specific details, like her birth as Belinda Sue Spearson.

Hong Kong Powdered Water: In 1982 the South China Morning Post announced a solution to Hong Kong's water shortage was at hand. Scientists found a way to drain the clouds surrounding the island's peak of their water by electrifying them via antennae. As back-up, packets of powdered water imported from China would be distributed to all residents. A single pint of water added to it would magically transform into 10 pints.

Baltimore Gold Rush: In 1998 hundreds showed up in Baltimore's Inner Harbor to receive free gold. They'd heard on WQSR's morning show that a box of gold coins was found hidden inside the decking of the USS Constellation. After using some of it to pay for repairs, management of the Constellation Restoration Committee decided to give the rest away to Maryland residents. Anyone showing up with a valid Maryland driver's license would be given a free gold coin.

PETA's Tournament of Sleeping Fish: In 2000 the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) warned that it planned to sabotage the bass fishing tournament in East Texas' Lake Palestine by releasing tranquilizers into the lake. Their announcement stated that "this year, the fish will be napping, not nibbling." State officials took the threat seriously and stationed rangers around the lake in order to stop any tranquilizer-toting PETA activists from drugging the fish before PETA admitted it was a joke.

Whistling Carrots: In 2002 British supermarket chain Tesco advertised development of a genetically modified "whistling carrot." The ad explained the carrots were engineered to grow with tapered air holes in their side. When fully cooked, these air holes caused the vegetable to whistle.

Webnode: In 1999 Business Wire announced a new company, Webnode. This company, according to a press release, was granted a government contract to regulate ownership of "nodes" on the "Next Generation Internet." Each node (there were over 50 million) represented a route that data could travel. The company was licensed to sell each node for $100. Nodes would increase in value with traffic and owners receive usage fees. Offers to buy shares in nonexistent Webnode poured in.

http://www.museumofhoaxes.com/top100.html

[expatriot]

1. I still love Taco Bell's purchase of the Liberty Bell from the Nat'l Parks

It was a big media spectacle, with National Parks playing along for awhile. I remember the news that night, I even bought it for awhile because the news was playing along. They did some interviews on the street and people were OUTRAGED. One guy was railing against the "corporatization" of our government.

The ad wizards at Taco Bell can be amazing.

[Chovexani]

2. I never heard about that one

When did they pull that prank? Sounds funny as hell.

[expatriot]

3. Here is one link

http://www.ushistory.org/libertybell/bellhoax.html

[Chovexani]

4. Thanks! (n/t)

[BBradley]

5. The left handed whopper is hilarious.

[realisticphish]

6. self delete