April 1, 2026 — Today is April Fools’ Day, the one day of the year when people expect to be lied to on purpose. It’s also National Sourdough Bread Day, which feels unrelated, although sourdough starters have been known to behave unpredictably.

Today we’re looking at a few moments where things weren’t quite what they seemed.

First, a shift in England’s calendar in 1700 that may have helped shape the traditions behind April Fools’ Day.

Then, the 1957 BBC broadcast that convinced viewers spaghetti could grow on trees—one of the most famous pranks ever aired.

And finally, the founding of Apple Inc. in 1976, a company that started on April 1 and helped launch the personal computer revolution.

Different centuries. Different kinds of surprises. But each one shows how easily expectations—and assumptions—can be turned upside down.

Anyway… those are a few of the things I ended up discovering while wandering through April 1.