Monday, April 1, 1996 | 11:59 a.m.
Taco Bell apparently hoped to crack up people over its full-page ad in today's USA Today, announcing its purchase of the Liberty Bell.
Undoubtedly, the folks who brought you the 59-cent taco and the catch phrase "run for the border" want to show their customers they have a sense of humor and are proud to observe April Fools' Day.
The ad, featuring a big photo of the Liberty Bell, says the decision to purchase the bell was "an effort to help the national debt."
The Revolutionary War symbol "will now be called the 'Taco Liberty Bell' and will still be accessible to the American public for viewing," the ad says.
"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."
April Fools' Day dates at least to the 16th century, and may be older. The practice is known to have existed in France in the 1500s, where victims of pranks were -- and still are -- called "April fish."
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