In 1633, the vicinity that is now known as Connecticut began to be settled by English Puritans migrating from their first community in Massachusetts. Organizing at once, the state wrote its original constitution in 1639. This constitution was the first constitution to be based on democratic values, earning the state the moniker The Constitution State. Connecticut was the fifth state to join the United States on January 9, 1788.
Deeply mixed up in the American Revolution, Connecticut became warmly acknowledged as “The Provision State” by George Washington. The state generously gave materials in encouragement of the soldiers struggling for independence from Great Britain. Moreover, Governor JonathonTrumbull was the lone colonial governor to support the plan of independence.
With its extended chronicle, Connecticut has developed some pretty interesting laws. These laws are almost certainly ancient and no longer work in today’s society, but it’s amusing to ponder regarding the circumstances surrounding the enforcement of a few of these laws. Such as, for a pickle to be factually considered a pickle, it must bounce. I wonder if inspectors entered pickle factories and threw the pickles on the ground during surprise visits. If the pickle doesn’t rebound, what do they term it? Do crunchy Vlassic pickles have altered labels in Connecticut? Pickle flavored cucumbers, perhaps? Could one pickle factory hire a lawyer if their competitor’s pickles don’t bounce?
Some city laws are very funny. In Hartford, it is illegal to walk across the road on your hands. Someone most likely got hurt doing this, I’m sure. I wonder if this hand-walking across the street was a onetime deal or if Connecticut had a outbreak of people stopping to do a handstand before they crossed the street. Educating dogs is also considered illegal in Hartford, Connecticut. I doubt if this involves obedience training. I could comprehend that it would be illegal to take your dog to school, but was there some teachers really seeing the advantage of teaching a dog math and reading?
Various city laws are pretty exact. In Devon it’s against the law to walk in reverse after sunset, you are restricted to white Christmas lights in Guilford and there is a ban on silly string in Southington. If your corporation involves arcades, be warned, in Rocky Hill you are limited to just four devices. This includes ping pong tables, pin ball machines and shuffleboard tables. Hairdressers in Waterbury need to be careful also, in view of the fact that it is unlawful for beauticians to hum, whistle or sing while with a patron.
In the state of Connecticut it is against the law to keep town records where liquor is sold. This is probably a good thing since marriage licenses, birth records and property deeds shouldn’t be mixed up. Police are also permitted to stop bikers moving faster than 65 miles per hour. I don’t know many people who can bike that fast, maybe Lance Armstrong. I would hope that if I was biking that rapidly in any state the police would stop me, I’ve almost certainly lost control!
Some of the Connecticut laws were hilarious. I may begin dropping my pickles to see if they are true. It’s entertaining to contemplate about how these laws became part of the law in the state. To imagine what events were taking place, or the harm that came to from the precursor to the law being enforced. What did silly string ever do to you?