Not funny: These are some of the tragic events that have happened on April Fool’s Day in history
While April Fool’s Day is a time of laughter for many, there have been various historical events that are not so light-hearted.
April 1st is widely known for pranks, laughter, and lighthearted mischief, but history tells a different story.
While many celebrate April Fools’ Day with harmless jokes, this date has also marked significant, often serious events that contrast sharply with its usual festive spirit.
1816 - Jane Austen declines advice for her to write a romance
On April 1, 1816, Jane Austen politely declined an offer of writing advice from James Stanier Clarke, the Prince Regent’s librarian. Clarke, impressed by Austen’s work, suggested she write a historical romance about the royal household.
However, Austen, known for her sharp wit and keen social observations, responded with typical humour, stating that such a subject did not suit her talents and that she preferred writing about ordinary life rather than grand historical figures. This exchange highlights Austen’s confidence in her literary style and her reluctance to conform to external expectations, reinforcing her legacy as a pioneering female novelist.
1924 - Hitler sentenced for his role in the ‘putsch’
On April 1, 1924, Adolf Hitler was sentenced to five years in prison for his role in the failed Beer Hall Putsch of November 1923, an attempted coup against the Weimar Republic. Tried for treason, Hitler used the trial as a platform to promote his nationalist ideology. Despite receiving a five-year sentence, he served only about nine months in Landsberg Prison, where he wrote Mein Kampf.
His lenient treatment and early release highlighted the judiciary’s sympathy toward right-wing extremists. Rather than ending his political career, the trial and imprisonment helped him gain publicity and solidify his future leadership in Germany.
1946 - Alaskan tsunami kills over 100 people
On April 1, 1946, a massive earthquake struck off the coast of Alaska’s Unimak Island in the Aleutians. With a magnitude of 8.6, the quake triggered a devastating tsunami that reached heights of over 100 feet. The waves destroyed the Scotch Cap Lighthouse, killing all five occupants, and spread across the Pacific, causing destruction in Hawaii, where 159 people died.
This disaster led to the creation of the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center in 1949 to prevent future tragedies. The 1946 Alaskan earthquake remains one of the most significant seismic events in U.S. history, reshaping tsunami preparedness worldwide.
1972 - MLB players’ strike begins
On April 1, 1972, Major League Baseball (MLB) players went on strike for the first time in history over pension and salary disputes. Led by the Major League Baseball Players Association (MLBPA), the strike lasted 13 days, canceling 86 games. Players demanded increased pension contributions and arbitration rights, clashing with team owners.
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A resolution was reached on April 13, with owners agreeing to a $500,000 pension fund increase. The strike set a precedent for future labor disputes in baseball, highlighting the growing power of players in negotiations. Despite the delay, the 1972 season continued, but teams did not reschedule lost games.
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