It’s amazing how times change, isn’t it? Things that once scandalized our grandparents are now perfectly normal parts of everyday life. As society evolves, so do our laws, sometimes in surprising ways. Let’s take a fascinating journey through some activities and behaviors that were once illegal but are now completely legal in the United States—some of them might really surprise you!
1. Women Wearing Pants
In many parts of the U.S., laws once prohibited women from wearing pants in public or required them to have a male escort if they did. Some cities had ordinances specifically banning women from wearing trousers, with exceptions only for bicycle riding or horse riding. These laws began falling away in the early to mid-20th century as women’s rights movements gained momentum. The last such law was finally removed from the books in Paris, Mississippi in 1974. Even after the laws changed, women often faced social stigma for wearing pants to work well into the 1970s.
2. Pinball Machines
From the 1940s to the mid-1970s, pinball machines were illegal in many major cities, including New York City, Los Angeles, and Chicago. Officials considered them gambling devices and believed they were controlled by organized crime. The ban wasn’t lifted in NYC until 1976 when a pinball wizard named Roger Sharpe proved it was a game of skill by calling his shots in front of the city council. Today, pinball machines are enjoying a renaissance with new digital features while maintaining their classic appeal. The once-outlawed games are now celebrated as both nostalgia pieces and legitimate competitive sports.
3. Home Brewing Beer
Making your own beer at home was illegal from Prohibition until 1978, when President Jimmy Carter signed a bill legalizing home brewing. The law allowed each household to produce up to 100 gallons of beer annually for personal consumption. This change helped spark the craft beer revolution that transformed American brewing culture. Today, home brewing is a popular hobby with dedicated supply shops, clubs, and competitions across the country. The legalization of home brewing helped create the diverse beer culture we enjoy today.
4. Mixed Martial Arts (MMA)
Professional MMA events were banned in many states until the early 2000s, with critics calling the sport “human cockfighting.” New York didn’t legalize professional MMA until 2016, being the last state to do so. The sport faced significant opposition from boxing promoters and politicians who considered it too violent. Athletic commissions refused to sanction events, forcing early UFC events to take place in more permissive jurisdictions. Today, MMA is one of the fastest-growing sports in the world, with highly regulated events and extensive safety protocols.
5. Public Dancing on Sundays
Many cities had laws prohibiting dancing in public places on Sundays, with some restrictions lasting well into the 20th century. Dance halls were specifically targeted by moral reformers who saw them as dens of vice. Some communities required special permits for any public dancing, with Sunday permits being particularly difficult to obtain. Enforcement often focused on young people and minority communities who gathered for social dances. While these laws have largely been repealed, some communities still maintain restrictions on public dancing through zoning and licensing requirements.
6. Hair Length for Men
Many schools and workplaces had strict regulations against men having long hair well into the 1970s. Men could be fired, expelled, or even arrested in some jurisdictions for wearing their hair below their collar. These restrictions were often tied to anti-hippie sentiment and fears about counterculture movements. The Supreme Court heard several cases about hair length restrictions in public schools during this period. Today, such regulations would likely be considered discriminatory and unconstitutional.
7. Serving Alcohol to Legal Adults on Election Day
Until recently, many states prohibited alcohol sales on Election Day, a holdover from when saloons often served as polling places. The laws were meant to prevent voter intimidation and bribery, which were common in 19th-century saloon-based polling stations. South Carolina became the last state to repeal this restriction in 2014. Some states had complete bans on alcohol sales during voting hours, while others just restricted sales near polling places. These laws reflect how significantly voting practices have changed over time.
8. Women Running Marathons
Women were officially banned from running marathons until 1972, with officials claiming the distance was too dangerous for female athletes. Kathrine Switzer famously challenged this by running the Boston Marathon in 1967, despite attempts to physically remove her from the course. Race officials and medical professionals seriously argued that women’s bodies couldn’t handle long-distance running. The Amateur Athletic Union finally lifted the ban after years of protests and demonstrations by female athletes. This change helped pave the way for women’s full participation in sports at all levels.
9. Women Owning Credit Cards
Before the Equal Credit Opportunity Act of 1974, women couldn’t get credit cards in their own names without a male co-signer. Many banks required single women to bring a man along to cosign for a credit card, regardless of their income. Divorced or widowed women often struggled to open new accounts or maintain existing ones without a husband’s signature. The law was finally changed after determined activism from the women’s rights movement of the 1970s. Today, the idea of needing a man’s permission to open a credit card seems absurdly archaic, but this was a reality less than 50 years ago.
10. Interracial Marriage
Until the landmark Supreme Court case Loving v. Virginia in 1967, interracial marriage was illegal in many U.S. states. The laws, known as anti-miscegenation laws, were particularly common in the South and carried severe criminal penalties. Mildred and Richard Loving, the couple who challenged these laws, faced prison time in Virginia for their marriage. The Supreme Court unanimously ruled that marriage across racial lines was a fundamental right protected by the Constitution. The case set important precedents that would later influence other civil rights decisions, including the legalization of same-sex marriage.
11. Same-Sex Relationships
Until 2003, same-sex relationships were technically illegal in 14 states under various sodomy laws. The Supreme Court case Lawrence v. Texas finally struck down these laws as unconstitutional. Prior to this ruling, individuals could face criminal charges and discrimination simply for being in a same-sex relationship. The decision paved the way for future LGBTQ+ rights victories, including marriage equality. This relatively recent legal change reminds us how quickly society’s views on personal freedom can evolve.
12. Birth Control
Until 1965, it was illegal in many states for married couples to use birth control, and single people couldn’t legally access it until 1972. The Supreme Court case Griswold v. Connecticut first established the right to contraception for married couples. Many states had laws known as Comstock Laws that prohibited the distribution of contraceptive information and devices. Healthcare providers could face criminal charges for providing birth control or even discussing family planning options. These restrictions seem shocking today, but they weren’t fully dismantled until the 1970s.
13. Tattoos
Professional tattooing was illegal in many U.S. states and cities until surprisingly recently. Oklahoma didn’t legalize tattooing until 2006, making it the last state to do so. Health concerns and moral objections fueled these bans, forcing many tattoo artists to operate underground. Some cities required tattoo artists to be licensed physicians, effectively making the practice illegal for traditional artists. Today, tattoo artistry is not only legal but celebrated as a legitimate art form with high-end galleries and conventions.
14. Playing Cards on Sunday
Many states once had “Blue Laws” that prohibited various activities on Sundays, including playing cards or dice games. These religious-based restrictions could result in fines or even jail time in some jurisdictions. Some communities required all businesses to close and banned most forms of entertainment on Sundays. While most of these laws have been repealed, some remnants still exist in certain states, particularly regarding alcohol sales. The gradual elimination of these restrictions reflects America’s shift toward secular governance.
15. Living Together Before Marriage
Cohabitation between unmarried couples was illegal in many states until the 1970s under fornication and cohabitation laws. Police could actually arrest couples for living together without a marriage certificate. These laws were particularly strict in conservative states, where unmarried couples had to maintain separate addresses to avoid legal trouble. Today, living together before marriage is not only legal but increasingly common, with most couples cohabitating before tying the knot.
16. Collecting Rainwater
Believe it or not, collecting rainwater was illegal in many western states until quite recently. Colorado only legalized residential rainwater collection in 2016, with strict limits on how much can be collected. The laws were based on complex water rights systems that treated all precipitation as owned water. Some states still regulate rainwater collection, though restrictions have generally become more reasonable. The changes reflect growing interest in water conservation and sustainable living practices.
17. Playing Music in Public
Street performers and musicians once faced arrest in many cities under strict anti-busking laws. New York City required performers to obtain nearly impossible-to-get licenses until the 1970s. Musicians could be arrested for playing instruments in public places, even if they weren’t asking for money. The gradual legalization of street performance has helped create the vibrant urban culture we enjoy today. Many cities now actively encourage street performers as part of their cultural landscape.
