As we approach April 15, the day commonly associated with taxes, it is important to remember that tax events and policies have had significant impacts on history. Here are five instances showcasing such influence.

1. Tax Exemption and Hieroglyphs: During Napoleon Bonepart’s Egyptian campaign in 1799, the discovery of the Rosetta Stone, which contained scripts in ancient Greek, Demotic, and hieroglyphs, allowed scholars to understand hieroglyphs after years. The stone conveyed a message granting tax exemption to priests in Memphis, emphasizing the tax-free status of religious establishments.

2. Julius Caesar’s Reforms: Julius Caesar, known for his populist actions, implemented redistributive land and wealth policies favoring the poor. He introduced various taxes, including customs, inheritance, and sales taxes. His actions were likened to the principles advocated by progressive politicians like Bernie Sanders and Alexandria Ocasio Cortez.

3. Tax Census and the New Testament: The Gospel of Luke describes how the decree issued by Caesar Augustus for a universal tax census led Mary and Joseph to Bethlehem, aligning with a prophecy from the Old Testament. Despite the tax implications, this event played a pivotal role in biblical narratives.

4. Lady Godiva and Tax Repeal: Lady Godiva, faced with heavy taxes imposed by her husband, Earl Leofric, resorted to a daring act of public nudity to persuade him to lift the taxes. This unconventional approach successfully led to the repeal of most taxes, except for the horse tax.

5. Peter the Great’s Beard Tax: Russian Emperor Peter the Great introduced a tax on beards to Westernize Russian men, encouraging them to abandon traditional full beards. This tax emphasized his aim to westernize Russia by promoting European cultural practices.