April Fools
It is thought that April Fools began in this country, famous for its cheese and wine.
What is France?
Some historians speculate that April Fools' Day dates back to 1582, when France switched from the Julian calendar to the Gregorian calendar, as called for by the Council of Trent in 1563. In the Julian Calendar, as in the Hindu calendar, the new year began with the spring equinox around April 1.
People who were slow to get the news or failed to recognize that the start of the new year had moved to January 1 and continued to celebrate it during the last week of March through April 1 became the butt of jokes and hoaxes and were called “April fools.” These pranks included having paper fish placed on their backs and being referred to as “poisson d’avril” (April fish), said to symbolize a young, easily caught fish and a gullible person.
His birthdate in April, 1564, is unknown, but this English writer has this relevant triplet about birthdays:
“It is my birth-day:
I had thought to have held it poor: but, since my lord
Is Antony again, I will be Cleopatra.”
Who is William Shakespeare?
His birthday is often observed on April 23rd, the same date as his death in 1616. We do know that he was baptized on April 26th, making the April 23rd date certainly possible.
The US Tax code has more words than this famously long book by Leo Tolstoy.
What is War and Peace?
War and Peace has around 560,000 words, while the literal statutes Congress has passed include well over 1 million words. Including IRS regulations and clarifications, it comes out to roughly 4 million words.
On April 2nd, Ponce De Leon discovered this southeastern peninsula.
What is Florida?
He named it La Florida in recognition of the flowery, verdant landscape and because it was the Easter season, which the Spaniards called Pascua Florida (Festival of Flowers).
Founded in 1972, this non-profit group distributes over 10 million trees each year.
What is the Arbor Day Foundation?
The organization aims to plant 500 million trees by 2027, especially in areas where trees are scarce. Their Community Tree Recovery program provides free trees to neighborhoods in the wake of natural disasters.
This TV show starred the captain's "little buddy."
What is Gilligan's Island?
Actor Bob Denver played the titular role of hapless first mate Gilligan (Real name Willie) to Captain Jonas Grumby, AKA "The Skipper," played by Alan Hale Jr. Gilligan was bumbling and accident -prone, initially causing the S.S. Minnow to shipwreck and during many episodes harmed the crew/passengers' efforts to be rescued. Gilligan's Island was extremely popular and aired for three seasons, from 1964-1967, and forever in syndication.
This famous American writer and humorist wrote a funny quip about April Fools Day.
Who is Mark Twain?
"The first of April is the day we remember what we are the other 364 days of the year.”
Born on April 23rd, 1928, this child actress has a drink named after her.
Who is Shirley Temple?
She began her film career at the age of 3, and the success of her films helped save 20th Century Fox from bankruptcy during the Great Depression. After her last film in 1949, she became US Ambassador to Ghana and Czechoslovakia, and was present during both the Soviet invasion and the end of communism in the latter country.
The first known system of taxation took place around 3000-2800 BC, in this ancient river delta kingdom.
What is Egypt?
The corvee was forced labor provided to the state by peasants too poor to pay other forms of taxation (labor in ancient Egyptian is a synonym for taxes). Records from the time document that the Pharaoh would conduct a biennial tour of the kingdom, collecting tithes from the people. Other records are granary receipts on limestone flakes and papyrus.
On April 4th, 1968 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr was killed in this city
What is Memphis, Tennessee?
King was fatally shot as he stood on the Lorraine Motel’s second-floor balcony. James Earl Ray was convicted for his death, though many including King’s family believe there was more behind it. The Civil Rights Act of 1968 was signed into law a week after his assassination.
This U.S. President issued the Arbor Day Proclamation to school children across the country.
Who is Theodore Roosevelt?
A portion of this proclamation to the children reads as followed: “A people without children would face a hopeless future; a country without trees is almost as hopeless; forests which are so used that they cannot replenish themselves will soon vanish, and with them all their benefits.”
A character on this show famously said, "Marcia, Marcia, Marcia."
What is The Brady Bunch?
"Marcia, Marcia, Marcia" was a memorable and meme-able quote uttered by Jan Brady in the episode "Her Sister's Shadow" regarding her parents doting over eldest daughter Marcia's success. It is now used by people to highlight someone's jealousy and to mock those making a tantrum or an illogical argument. The Brady Bunch ran for five seasons between 1969-1974.
In 1996, this fast food chain pretended that they were going to buy and rename the Liberty Bell.
What is Taco Bell?
"In an effort to help the national debt, Taco Bell is pleased to announce that we have agreed to purchase the Liberty Bell, one of our country's most historic treasures. It will now be called the "Taco Liberty Bell" and will still be accessible to the American public for viewing. While some may find this controversial, we hope our move will prompt other corporations to take similar action to do their part to reduce the country's debt."
Born on April 10th, 1936, this football coach and sportscaster never had a losing season.
Who is John Madden?
He served as the head coach of the Oakland Raiders from 1969 to 1978, leading them to eight playoff appearances, seven division titles, seven AFL/AFC Championship Game appearances, and the franchise's first Super Bowl title in Super Bowl XI. Never having a losing season, Madden holds the highest winning percentage among NFL head coaches who coached 100 games.
This amendment established the first permanent US Income Tax.
What is the 16th Amendment?
“The Congress shall have power to lay and collect taxes on incomes, from whatever source derived, without apportionment among the several States, and without regard to any census or enumeration.”
Prior to the early 20th century, most federal revenue came from tariffs rather than taxes, although Congress had often imposed excise taxes on various goods. The Revenue Act of 1861 had introduced the first federal income tax, but that tax was repealed in 1872.
On April 9th, 1865, Robert E Lee surrendered in this village.
What is Appomattox Court House?
Known at that time as Clover Hill, it was the seat of Appomattox County. Lee surrendered with 28,000 men to Ulysses S Grant. It was the beginning of the end of the Civil War.
In 2004, this tree genus “Quercus” was declared to be the U.S. national tree.
What is the oak tree?
There are roughly 500 known species of oak tree, 90 of which grow in the United States. One of these, the white oak, is useful for shipbuilding and whiskey barrels because of its water and rot-resistant qualities. Oak trees can live for hundreds to thousands of years.
Jack Tripper is a character from this 1977-1984 sitcom.
What is Three's Company?
John Ritter starred as Jack Tripper, a single man living in Santa Monica with two women as roommates. Although the relationships were platonic, this living arrangement was considered quite daring at the time. A common theme or plot was one roommate overhearing another's conversation from a different room and then misinterpreting the context.
In Britain and Scotland, pranks and practical jokes must stop at this time.
What is 12pm?
Born on April 12th, 1947, this comedian and television host had a 33 year career.
Who is David Letterman?
In total, Letterman hosted 6,080 episodes of Late Night and Late Show, surpassing his friend and mentor Johnny Carson as the longest-serving late-night talk show host in American television history.
This person is famous for a quote about “death and taxes.”
Who is Benjamin Franklin?
“Our new Constitution is now established, and has an appearance that promises permanency; but in this world nothing can be said to be certain, except death and taxes.” It was actually an older phrase, first attested in a play in 1716, 73 years before Franklin wrote it.
On April 24th, 1800, this institution of preservation was established.
What is the Library of Congress?
It is America's oldest federal cultural institution and the world's largest library. Among the 145 million items in its collections are more than 33 million books, 3 million recordings, 12.5 million photographs, 5.3 million maps, 6 million pieces of sheet music and 63 million manuscripts. About 10,000 new items are added each day.
In 1872, this Nebraska City journalist and politician founded Arbor Day.
Who is Julius Sterling Morton?
Morton and his wife, Caroline, purchased 160 acres of flat plains in Nebraska City, and planted a variety of trees and shrubs there. He was also editor of the state’s first newspaper, Nebraska City News. Morton led the planting of around one million trees on the first Arbor Day.
1982-1993 Cheers' character Sam Malone played for this Pro Sports Team.
What were the Boston Red Sox?
Ted Danson starred as Sam Malone, nicknamed "Mayday Malone" from his days as a relief pitcher for the MLB Boston Red Sox. An alcoholic, Sam lost his pitching job, so he opened the Boston bar Cheers. In Season 5, another pro athlete (fictitious) was superstitious NHL Boston Bruins goalie Eddie Lebec, a short-lived character who date Carla and then later died when working as a Penguin mascot.
In 2008, the BBC published a short fake documentary that these animals had suddenly evolved to fly.
What are penguins?
Born on April 25th, 1917, this African-American singer was known as “The First Lady of Song”
Who is Ella Fitzgerald?
Her accolades included 14 Grammy Awards, the National Medal of Arts, the NAACP's inaugural President's Award, and the Presidential Medal of Freedom. She’s especially well known for songs such as “Cry Me a River”, “A-Tisket A-Tasket,” “Dream A Little Dream of Me,” “It Don’t Mean a Thing,” and many more.
During WWII, the highest US tax bracket almost took this percentage of income.
What is 100%?
FDR proposed a 100% income tax for the nation’s top earners, appealing to their patriotism to support the nation at a point of extreme peril. He ended up settling for a measly 94% for those making over $3.3 Million in today’s money.
On April 26th, 1986, this power plant exploded in the present day country of Ukraine.
What is the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant?
Over 100k people were evacuated. The radioactive debris was encased in a structure that became known as the sarcophagus, which was itself encased in a new building in 2016. Abundant natural life has returned to the Chernobyl exclusion zone, including a species of fungi that feeds on radiation.
The previously conceived name for Arbor Day.
What is Sylvan Day?
Sylvan comes from the Latin “silva”, meaning “wood” or “forest”. It can also refer to a person who enjoys forests. Silvanus was a Roman deity of woods and uncultivated lands. Ultimately, the name “Arbor Day” was chosen by its founder to reflect an appreciation of all trees, not just those in forests.
This was Jim Rockford's Fee per day in the show Files.
What is $200 Plus Expenses?
Playing James Garner, Jim Rockford was an ex-con now a private detective charging $200 a day plus expenses, the equivalent of almost $1300 today. A fan favorite feature of the series was the 122 show-opening answering machine messages, often about previous shows' deadbeat clients or creditors that reminded viewers of Rockford's less glamours life.