It’s easy to take modern freedoms for granted in the US, where personal choice and self-expression are often celebrated, but many everyday liberties we now enjoy were once considered crimes. From bizarre bans on pinball machines and food trucks to laws prohibiting women from running marathons or interracial couples from marrying, American history is filled with bizarre and shameful restrictions.
These laws weren’t just curious legal quirks; they reflected the social anxieties, moral values, and political pressures of their time. As public attitudes shifted, so did the laws, offering a fascinating glimpse into how culture and legislation evolve together.
Click through the gallery for a stroll through America’s legal past. You might be surprised by what was once forbidden and how far we’ve come since!