
March came in like a lamb, but it went out like a lion based on last week’s snowstorm. The fresh coating of snow, 9 inches, helped out the ski lodges in what hasn’t been good except for man-made snow. A number of them opened for the three day weekend culminating on Easter Sunday. I’m guessing some of the skiers also play golf and that was possible before the snowstorm. We’re back in the spring mode now and Monday was April Fools. It’s not a national holiday but April Fools’ Day or All Fools’ Day is an annual custom on 1 April consisting of practical jokes and hoaxes. Jokesters often expose their actions by shouting April Fool. Some theorize that the idea of April Fools’ Day dates back to ancient Rome and a festival called Hilaria held at the end of March.
Following is one of the ten best April Fools jokes in today’s society:
Taco Bell Buys the Liberty Bell
On April 1, 1996 a full page ad appeared in six major American newspapers (The Philadelphia Inquirer, New York Times, Washington Post, Chicago Tribune, Dallas Morning News, and USA Today) announcing that the fast food chain Taco Bell had purchased the Liberty Bell. The full text of the ad read:
“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.
Mark Schoenrock delivered a scathing critique in the Washington Times. “Apparently he didn’t see the humor of the advertisement, or was afraid of a political party capitalizing on the idea”
“To appropriate one of the cherished symbols of our national heritage and use it as part of some cheap, thoughtless advertising ploy is totally disgusting. To use this sacred symbol as part of some silly game is an affront to generations of proud Americans who have fought and died for this country’s freedom – so proudly represented by the Liberty Bell . Apparently this doesn’t matter to Taco Bell officials – or maybe they just don’t get it.”
I haven’t heard much of anything happening in recent years, but while I was working at the Howard Lake Herald someone put an advertisement saying Winsted Burns complete with flames and a chimney.
My dad got his April Fools kicks by inserting a corn cob into a Baby Ruth candy wrapper and handing it to one of us six kids. As I remember it only fooled us once, but that was all he wanted!