For April Fools' Day, the archives look back at humorous articles, showcasing the creativity and playful spirit of past contributors at The Cavalier Daily. These articles show how students have used satire to comment on life at the University and relate as a community through comedy.
1950s
March 4, 1954
“Graduate Says ‘Sleep-Learning’ Can Be Employed Successfully”
By Unlisted Author
A graduate student shares his secret to earning a college degree — “Sleep-learning,” an innovative new machine that allows students to study and retain information all while sleeping. He suggests that getting a good night's sleep really is the key to success, if you can also find a way to cram at the same time.
1960s
April 1, 1960
“VIEWPOINTS: Coats And Ties?”
By “Snerd Wombat”
This prank article pokes fun at “fraternity prima donnas” who dress in suits and ties. The author, jokingly of course, describes ganging up with others to ferociously beat up a boy dressed in a full suit in Newcomb Hall, snarking “Stay over there on Mad Lane. We don’t want you.”
1970s
Sept. 23, 1971
“Word From The Dead: ‘Save Lambeth!’”
By C.C. Salisbury
Salisbury satirically expresses outrage over the lack of green spaces on Grounds and apartment complexes being constructed on what we know as Lambeth Field. He argues that even the cemetery is a better location for the new high-rise building.
1980s
March 31, 1983
“Joke victims litter past Aprils”
By Laura Deluca
Photos by Victor Lavenstein
In this article, the author explores the history of April Fools’ Day and its 16th-century French origins. She also interviews professors like Larry Sabato, who reminisces on past U.Va. April Fools’ pranks like a fake Cavalier Daily article announcing the death of the then-editor Fred Heblich and University students in the 1920s soaping the railroad tracks under Beta Bridge.
1990s
April 6, 1998
“ISIS voice finds love at long last”
By Eli Ticatch
In this humor column, writer Eli Ticatch jokes that the University’s automated phone registration system, “Mr. ISIS,” is an overworked employee deserving of love after dealing with impatient students for years. Ticatch hilariously suggests that Mr. ISIS’s typical robo-tone voice seems to sound as of late, however, as he appears to have fallen in love.
2000s
April 1, 2003
The Cavalier Daily Vol. 113 No. 113
In this April Fools’ edition of The Cavalier Daily, the newspaper published a variety of prank articles, with joke titles like: “Bush calls off war after students walk out of class in protest” and “Students in Spanish 201 class can’t understand what the hell their teacher is saying.” The spread also features prank authors like “Nancy Drew” and “Weird Al Unkovic.”
Read More
Board of Zoning Appeals deadlocks in Fifeville resident's challenge to ‘The Mark’
By Luca Bailey | YesterdayThe Mark is a proposed, seven-story apartment complex under construction in the historically-Black neighborhood of Fifeville which will be marketed towards students.
Office for Sustainability plans to share sustainability goals this Earth Month
By Edward Christopher | YesterdayThe Office for Sustainability plans to celebrate Earth Month through partnering with Contracted Independent Organizations and community partners to bring the Charlottesville community together in support of its sustainability goals.
‘No Kings’ protest in Charlottesville draws thousands of residents, University students
By Luca Bailey | YesterdayCharlottesville’s protests were among 26 demonstrations that took place in the Commonwealth Saturday and more than 3,300 that took place worldwide.
