Day of the Innocents

What Is Day of the Innocents?

The Day of the Innocents, known in many Spanish-speaking countries as Día de los Santos Inocentes, is an annual observance primarily held on 28 December. It carries a dual nature, encompassing both a solemn Christian commemoration and a more light-hearted tradition of practical jokes. The Christian aspect solemnly recalls the biblical account of King Herod’s order to kill all male children under two years old in Bethlehem, an event known as the Massacre of the Innocents.

Beyond its religious foundation, particularly in Spain and Latin America, the Day of the Innocents has evolved into a cultural custom similar to April Fool’s Day. On this day, individuals play harmless pranks or ‘bromas’ on friends, family, and even public figures. Those who fall for the tricks are playfully called ‘inocentes’ (innocents), reflecting the theme of being unaware or gullible.

History and Origins of Day of the Innocents

The primary origin of the Day of the Innocents lies within Christian tradition, specifically stemming from the New Testament’s Gospel of Matthew (Matthew 2:16–18). This biblical passage describes King Herod’s extreme reaction upon learning from the Magi about the birth of a new ‘King of the Jews’. Fearing a rival to his throne, Herod commanded the killing of all male infants aged two years and under in and around Bethlehem. This event is known as the Massacre of the Innocents, and the children are venerated as the first Christian martyrs.

The commemoration of these innocent victims as saints dates back to early Christianity, with feast days recorded from at least the 4th century. The Eastern Orthodox Church observes it on 29 December, while the Roman Catholic Church and other Western Christian denominations observe it on 28 December. Historically, the period between Christmas and Epiphany (Three Kings’ Day) was associated with various popular celebrations, often including elements of playful mischief, echoing older European pagan festivals around the winter solstice.

Over centuries, in certain regions, the solemnity of the religious observance began to merge with these secular traditions of merrymaking and trickery. The exact pathway through which the prank tradition developed on the Day of the Innocents is not definitively documented. However, it is thought to have assimilated elements from medieval ‘Feast of Fools’ or other similar celebrations where social norms were temporarily inverted. This confluence led to the modern-day custom of playing harmless jokes, particularly prominent in Spain and many Latin American countries.

How Day of the Innocents Is Celebrated

The celebration of Day of the Innocents exhibits a blend of solemn religious observance and playful secular traditions, varying significantly by region.

Religious Observance

For many Christians globally, the Day of the Innocents remains a day of remembrance and prayer. Churches often hold special Masses or services honouring the young children martyred by King Herod. The focus is on the sanctity of life and the suffering of the innocent, particularly in light of contemporary issues affecting children. While it is a day of reflection and remembrance, it is not typically a public holiday in most countries.

Prank Traditions in Latin America and Spain

In countries such as Mexico, Spain, Colombia, Ecuador, and El Salvador, 28 December takes on a distinctly different character, resembling April Fool’s Day. On this day, people engage in ‘bromas’ (pranks) or ‘inocentadas’ (innocent tricks) with the aim of fooling others. These pranks are generally harmless and range from simple tricks to elaborate hoaxes.

Common pranks include:

• Borrowing money or items: A frequent prank involves asking to borrow money or an item, with no intention of returning it. Upon the victim’s realisation, the prankster traditionally declares, “¡Inocente palomita que te dejaste engañar!” (Innocent little dove, you let yourself be fooled!), or a similar phrase, indicating that the item will not be returned, often adding that “today is Day of the Innocents”.
• Fake news and announcements: Media outlets in some regions participate by publishing fabricated news stories or humorous articles, which are later revealed as jokes.
• Switching items or altering schedules: Personal pranks can involve switching sugar for salt, altering clocks, or creating false appointments.

The purpose of these traditions is to enjoy a moment of shared laughter and light-hearted fun. It is generally understood that the tricks are not malicious, and those who are fooled are expected to take it in good humour.

When Is Day of the Innocents?

The Day of the Innocents is observed annually on a fixed date: 28 December. This date is consistent across most Western Christian denominations and is also the day when the secular prank traditions are observed. The Eastern Orthodox Church, following a different liturgical calendar, commemorates the Holy Innocents on 29 December. The observance is based on the Gregorian calendar system.

Day of the Innocents Key Facts