April 15 has arrived. While tax day may not alter your personal history, apart from diminishing your wealth along with other Americans, there have been numerous occasions when taxes and tax policies altered history. Presented here are five instances where tax events influenced historical outcomes.

Tax exceptions and ancient inscriptions. During Napoleon Bonepart’s Egyptian expedition in 1799, a soldier discovered the Rosetta Stone near the town of Rashid (Rosetta) in the Nile Delta. This stone contained identical inscriptions in three different scripts: ancient Greek, Demotic, and hieroglyphs. Eventually translated, the stone revealed an exemption from taxes granted by the Egyptian ruler in 196 BC to resident priests at the temple in Memphis, marking a stance on tax exemption for religious entities.

Julius Caesar, a proponent of socialist ideals. Julius Caesar, known for his involvement with Cleopatra and tragic death, implemented an array of controversial policies, including land distribution among the poor, rent remission, debt cancellation, rent control, and provisions aiding commoners. He also revamped the tax system by introducing customs, inheritance, and sales tax, which was further increased by his successor, Caesar Augustus. This demonstrated Caesar’s inclination towards socialist strategies.

New taxes leading to biblical narratives. A tax decree by Caesar Augustus prompted Mary and Joseph to travel to Bethlehem for a census, unknowingly fulfilling an Old Testament prophecy. This event underscored how monumental biblical texts are traced back to tax obligations, shedding light on the intertwining of historical incidents.

Taxation and Lady Godiva’s ride. Lady Godiva, a noblewoman, embarked on an infamous naked ride through Coventry, following her plea to repeal heavy taxes imposed by her husband, Earl Leofric. The shocking event led to the taxes being rescinded, except for those on horses, showcasing the significance of taxation in historical narratives.

Peter the Great’s influence through beard taxes. Russian Emperor Peter the Great imposed a tax on beards to transition Russian men towards a Western European aesthetic. Despite desires to emulate European customs, current trends suggest a shift towards Russian influences. This event underscores the impact of taxation on societal norms and cultural perceptions.