When the BBC Convinced Millions Spaghetti Grows on Trees

London, England. On April 1st each year, people from all over the world keep their eyes peeled for anything unusual or amiss. Everything is suddenly treated with suspicion, from social media posts published by a popular fast food chain to that questionable-looking Facebook announcement from the local police department. Why? Well, because it's April Fool's Day, a worldwide celebration where you're either pranking someone or being pranked upon. No one knows exactly how this unofficial holiday came to be. TIMELINE 1647: laborers toiling away at the Tower of London uncovered two small skeletons while clearing away rubble from a staircase. 1820: in the Italian city of Firenze. 1851: she trained at Kaiserwerth Institute in Germany, one of the few places that would accept a lady of her class. 1854: Turned away by Britain's war office, she did what entrepreneurs do, built the British hotel near the front lines. WHY THIS MATTERS The story of London is a reminder that the events that shaped America didn't always happen in the biggest cities. What unfolded here left marks on the community that are still visible today. The full story is more complicated, and more human, than the version most people know. Episode 18 | Hometown History | Hosted by Shane Waters Hometown History explores forgotten stories from small-town America. The overlooked events, hidden triumphs, and buried tragedies that shaped the country we live in. New episodes every Tuesday. Find every episode at mythsandmalice.com/hometown-historyAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy