While April Fool’s Day is traditionally a favorite holiday for kids and adults alike, few know the reason we observe this cherished event.

April Fool’s Day actually began around 332 BC under the rule of Constantine in the Roman Empire. Under criticism from his court, an amused Constantine declared a competition to become an intermediate emperor in order to prove his competence. Just like that part in Cinderella where all the cute, single girls were invited to the ball, all willing and able men in the Roman Empire were allowed to throw their helmet into the proverbial ring. Obviously, though, Constantine didn’t want just any peasant encroaching on his power. The catch to this competition was that Constantine and his close board of advisers, who helped devise this plan, rigged it so that the tasks could never be accomplished. In a time where people still believed in Herculean feats and Achillean strength, tasks like oratory seemed like no big deal. Constantine, however, knew that only a fool would even try his hand at gaining power this way. The competition fell on the first of April, but was announced a month earlier so that the word could get out to the empire. Enticed by promises of power, an abundance of pillaged jewels, an in-palace brothel, and a free ride there, young men flooded the capital city of Rome ready to participate in Constantine’s “competition of fools”. The competition was preceded by a lavish dinner the night before in the emperor’s palace, where Constantine personally congratulated each applicant for his participation in the following day’s event. The next morning, a gleeful Constantine and thousands of Roman citizens watched the competition, which took place in a plethora of Rome’s stadiums. While the competitors entered the stadiums one by one, instead of a podium at which to plead their right for rule, a lion was waiting for them. In order to prove he was still an absolute ruler, Constantine “pranked” thousands of Roman civilians in this way. After the slaughter, Constantine declared a national holiday marking the day in history, ordering his subjects to rejoice in the day where their totalitarian ruler exercised his superiority by purging the fools.

Not many people are aware of the holiday’s gruesome history. In order to not make a joke out of the many civilian deaths, April Fool’s Day should be celebrated as a day of remembrance for those who perished in the slaughter. Empathy for the pranked soldiers will reach far and wide this April, as all humans will be able to recognize the deeply embarrassing feeling of being pranked, whether it is by being led to believe you are invincible…or being led to believe a story on the origins of April Fool’s Day written by a sixteen year old girl. 🙂 Happy Belated April Fools!