What is April 24 – The Truth Behind the Viral TikTok Hoax

April 24 has recently become a focus of online searches and social media chatter, but not for any genuine holiday or celebration. A disturbing hoax spread on TikTok falsely labels the date as “National Rape Day,” claiming sexual assault would be encouraged or tolerated on that day. No such day exists in any official calendar, and multiple fact-checkers have found no evidence of a real threat behind the viral posts.

The trend first emerged in April 2021, when a video allegedly showing six men urging assaults on April 24 began circulating. The clip was never verified, and many researchers believe the original video may not have existed at all. Instead, the rumor gained traction through reaction clips, warnings, and reposted claims, creating a wave of anxiety that resurfaces each spring.

Understanding what April 24 really means requires separating a harmful online fabrication from verifiable facts. Below is a quick-reference overview of the trend, followed by key insights and a fact table.

• The April 24 trend is not a real holiday but a harmful hoax that resurfaces annually around April because of a 2021 video made by six men.
• Google searches for “what is april 24” spike each spring as users seek clarification.
• Most people are asking for verification – fact-checking is the primary intent behind the queries.
• Safeguarding organizations like Newcastle Safeguarding provide the most authoritative guidance on the hoax.
• The Wikipedia entry for April 24 offers real historical events but lacks the modern context of the trend.
• The hoax trivializes sexual violence and can cause genuine distress even though it is unfounded.
• Reporting harmful content to platforms helps reduce the spread of misinformation.

Is April 24 a Real Holiday? Debunking the “National Rape Day” Hoax

The short answer is no. April 24 is not an official holiday, nor is it recognized by any government, law enforcement agency, or advocacy organization as a day for sexual assault. The label “National Rape Day” is entirely fabricated and originated from an unverified TikTok post.

Is April 24 “National Rape Day”?

The claim that April 24 is “National Rape Day” has been debunked by numerous fact-checkers. USA Today, in a widely cited 2021 article, found no evidence for the supposed original video. Rape Crisis UK states clearly that rape is never legal anywhere in the U.S. or elsewhere. The rumor appears to have been amplified by reaction posts rather than a verifiable original threat.

Is April 24 a real holiday?

April 24 is simply a calendar date. It carries no official holiday status in any country. Wikipedia’s entry for April 24 lists real historical events – such as the launch of the Hubble Space Telescope in 1990 and the first successful human heart transplant in 1968 – but makes no mention of any “National Rape Day.” The hoax has no basis in law or regulation.

Where Did the April 24 Trend Come From?

Where did the April 24 TikTok trend come from?

Multiple sources trace the rumor to TikTok in April 2021, during Sexual Assault Awareness Month. A common version of the story says a video by a group of men declared April 24 “National Rape Day” and urged assaults. However, fact-checkers and social-media monitoring could not locate a definitive original clip. The Newcastle Safeguarding Children Partnership reports that the trend “could likely be traced back to a video created by six men in April 2021 that urged others to commit sexual assaults on April 24.” Yet they also note that no evidence was found for such a specific video.

Has the April 24 trend happened before?

Yes. The hoax resurfaced in April 2023, again in April 2024, and most recently in April 2025. The Institute for Strategic Dialogue (ISD Global) noted that the hoax had recurring life as an online panic event. Each year, searches for “what is april 24” spike as users seek clarity.

How Should Parents and Educators Respond to the April 24 Trend?

How should parents talk to kids about April 24?

Experts recommend a calm, fact-based approach. Reassure children that April 24 is not a dangerous day and that the viral posts are false. Explain that some online content is designed to scare people and that sharing unverified rumors can cause harm. Focus on general safety online rather than amplifying the specific hoax.

How can I report harmful content about April 24?

If you encounter content promoting the “National Rape Day” hoax, report it directly to the platform. On TikTok, use the in-app reporting feature to flag videos for hateful behavior or harmful content. You can also use TikTok’s safety resources to learn more. For additional support, organizations like RAINN (U.S.) and the UK Safer Internet Centre provide guidance and crisis resources.

Timeline of the April 24 Hoax

1. April 2021: A video featuring six men circulates on TikTok calling for sexual assaults on April 24. The original clip is never independently verified.
2. March 2023: The trend resurfaces; Newcastle Safeguarding publishes guidance on March 8, 2023, warning about the hoax.
3. April 2023: Widespread social media panic leads to fact-check articles by news outlets, including USA Today.
4. April 2024: Renewed attention on TikTok prompts creators to explain the hoax, while ISD Global notes its recurrent nature.
5. April 2025: Another spike in searches and news coverage, with outlets like Yahoo and AOL publishing debunking articles as the date approaches.

What Do We Know for Certain About April 24?

What Is the Broader Context of the April 24 Hoax?

The April 24 hoax is part of a larger pattern of harmful social media pranks targeting vulnerable audiences. It exploits fear and sensationalism, leading to legitimate anxiety and confusion. The trend demonstrates how misinformation spreads quickly on TikTok and other platforms, despite efforts by platforms to remove harmful content. Understanding the hoax’s origin and the importance of fact-checking helps reduce panic and prevent further spread. The recurring nature of the panic suggests that preemptive public education each spring could be a more effective countermeasure than waiting for the trend to re‑emerge. For further reading on how misinformation spreads, see account-security-noreply@accountprotection.microsoft.com: Legit?.

What Do Official Sources Say About the April 24 Trend?

The trend could likely be traced back to a video created by six men in April 2021 that urged others to commit sexual assaults on April 24.

– Newcastle Safeguarding Children Partnership

According to TikTokers, April 24 is ‘National Rape Day.’ It’s absolutely not a recognized holiday.

– Yahoo News (April 2025)

These two sources illustrate the consensus: the rumor is traceable to a 2021 video (though unverified) and is not a real holiday. Other authoritative resources, including RAINN and the UK Safer Internet Centre, emphasize that such content can be deeply distressing and should be reported rather than shared.

What Is the Bottom Line on April 24?

“National Rape Day” was a viral TikTok hoax that emerged in April 2021 and falsely suggested April 24 was a day when sexual assault would be encouraged or allowed. Fact-checking and platform reviews found no verified original video and no evidence that rape was legal or that there was a real coordinated event. The rumor spread largely through reaction content, causing fear and distress, and it reappeared in later years as a recurring misinformation scare. The most effective response is to report harmful posts, avoid amplifying unverified claims, and share factual information. For further reading, see The Salt Path Book Controversy: Facts, Author Update, Review.

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