The Monster of Deadman’s Hole (1888)
The San Diego Union reported that two hunters had killed a bizarre, half-human half-animal beast in an out-of-the-way location called Deadman’s Hole northwest of San Diego. The creature was said to have the body of a bear, but stood upright like a man and had a human face. The hunters were reportedly bringing the body into the city for public exhibit. The next day the paper boasted, “throughout the day the police station was visited by a number of persons who were anxious to view the body of the strange being that was reported killed. They were told to come in next April Fool’s day and see it.”
Price Cut (1915)
Readers of the Boston Morning Globe could have purchased their papers for half the cost on April Fool’s Day, if they had been alert. The price listed on the front page had been lowered from “Two Cents Per Copy” to “One Cent.” When the management of the Globe found out about the change, they were just as surprised as everyone else. The new price turned out to be the responsibility of a mischievous production worker who had inserted the lower value at the last minute as the paper went to print.
Philly’s Sea Monster (1936)
The Philadelphia Record ran a picture titled, “Deep Sea Monster Visits Philadelphia.” Although modern viewers have little difficulty in spotting the picture as a fake, it fooled many of the Record’s readers.
Scottville Sinkhole (1967)
The front page of the Scottdale Daily Courier showed a photo of a large sinkhole that had reportedly formed at a busy intersection downtown. The crater was estimated to be 45 feet deep. The picture fooled many readers, despite the “April Fool” notation in the caption.
Talking Pelican (1979)
The Sunday News-Journal in Daytona Beach reported the discovery of a talking pelican, found by a Georgia tourist, Sam P. Suggins. The pelican asked him for a fish as he was walking along a dock. Unfortunately, the pelican would not talk to anyone else.
Eiffel Tower Moves (1986)
Le Parisien newspaper reported that an agreement had been signed to take down the Eiffel Tower and move it to the new Euro Disney theme park being constructed east of Paris.
