Weird U.S. Laws

By walker6
  • Colony of Massachusetts is Founded

    Colony of Massachusetts is Founded
    Governor John Winthrop founds a British colony in New England with 1000 initial settlers. All Puritans, they create a theocratic colonial government. For some time, they banned the prescence of all witches and Quakers in Massachusetts.
  • Declaration of Independence

    Declaration of Independence
    The thirteen American colonies of Great Britain declare themselves an independent nation, dedicated to safeguarding "life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness." This event is propelled by the arguments put forth in the Declaration of Independence, signed and ratified on this date.
  • No Slot Machines in Outhouses

    No Slot Machines in Outhouses
    Ohio in 1919 prohibited the installation of slot machines in outhouses.
  • Pinball bans

    Pinball bans
    The pinball machine, asserted authorities around the country, is a vile, mindless game that is wasting the time and ruthlessly emptying the pockets of children around the country! Major cities across the country ban the game and police raid underground arcades to confiscate pinball tables.
  • Zoot Suit Riots

    Zoot Suit Riots
    Mexican-american young men distinguished themselves from their Anglican counterparts by wearing "zoot suits" -- baggy, oversized clothing with long chains hanging out. Thought to be undeserving of respect, they came to blows with proud, white sailors, culminating in riots that engulfed Los Angeles for several days in the Mexican barrio of Los Angeles. Siding with the sailors, the civil authorities banned zoot suits, claiming they promoted and signified hooliganism.
  • Bigfoot Receives Protection

    Bigfoot Receives Protection
    Skamania County, Washington passes an ordinance protecting Bigfoot should he be encountered. The County Commisioner clarified that the law wasn't a April Fool's Day prank. They considered it plausible that Bigfoot existed.
  • Egg ban repealed

    Egg ban repealed
    The repeal of this law was made effective January 1, 1975: the ban against interupting or injuring ( i.e. throwing eggs at) a public speaker.
  • Roger Sharpe Proves Pinball's Worth

    Roger Sharpe Proves Pinball's Worth
    Young magazine editor Roger Sharpe demonstrates in front of the New York City Council the skills needed to master pinball's traps and nuances. His demonstration led to an immediate lift of the nearly thirty year ban on the game in New York City,
  • Ozzy Osbourne Urinates at the Alamo

    Ozzy Osbourne Urinates at the Alamo
    Ozzy Osbourne, notorious rock star, publicly urinates at the historical site of the Alamo. This prompts the city government of San Antonio to pass a law against urinating on the Alamo.
  • Ban on LA Beach Ends

    Ban on LA Beach Ends
    A nearly forty year ban on frisbee, football, skatebaording, and pattleboarding, among other activities, was lifted on this date after public outcry. The rule was mostly ignored its entire forty-year existence.