“Hi, I’m in Delaware.”-Wayne’s World
Unless you live in Delaware, not much is known about the history of the state. But, the state has a rich and remarkable history. For the period of settlement of the first colonies, the section that is nowadays identified as Delaware was under a battle for control by the English, Swedes and Dutch. Finally occupied by the English in 1674, the territory was then given to William Penn from the Duke of York’s property in 1681 and 1682. The lands given to William Penn produced present day Pennsylvania and Delaware. Delaware was the initial state to ratify the Constitution on December 7, 1787, earning itself the nickname of “The First State.”
For the duration of the Civil War, Delaware was the single state to be a slave state that sided with the Union. A few troops did fight with the Confederate Army, nevertheless many black troops fought for the Union. The state was even a route on the Underground Railroad.
With its fascinating state history, Delaware has developed some pretty fascinating laws governing this state. All over the state it’s illegal to fly over any body of water devoid of enough food and drink. With no more than 2,300 square miles, it’s most likely pretty easy for airlines to work through this law. For those interested in drive-in movie theaters, you won’t be able to see any “R” rated movies there as it is also prohibited. I guess they don’t want any kids sitting outside the drive-in for a chance to see something racy on the big screen.
If you are in specific cities in Delaware, you may find yourself on the wrong end of the law too. For example, form fitting pants could get you into difficulty in Lewes. And for you dare devils, you can get an dissolution from matrimony if it was completed on a dare. In Rehoboth Beach, it is criminal to whisper in church. Plus, if you want to let your hair down, alcohol is not permitted to be served where dancing is occurring. I presume they don’t want anybody to get injured. This may not be a very good idea anywhere, but it is against the law to make believe you are sleeping on a boardwalk bench in Rehoboth Beach too. I wonder if you can actually be asleep there though.
Rehoboth beach also has several pretty interesting laws about clothing or the lack thereof. It is criminal to change your outfit in your automobile, and against the law to change into or out of a bathing suit in a public restroom. I appreciate why you shouldn’t change your outfit in the car, as people might see you; though, I wonder why it’s illegal to change into a bathing suit in a public restroom. Are you allowed to change into ordinary clothes in a public restroom? How did somebody find a lawyers to try this argument? In Rehoboth beach it is also a guideline for six-year-old girls to be fully dressed. So, there’s no running around undressed, little girls.
It’s fascinating to meditate about the situation behind several of these laws. I wonder if pretending to snooze on a boardwalk bench was a onetime event, or if there were a group of people that got injured by this doing. These laws make you reflect on if the acts were a mere aggravation to the city, or if they caused a mass revolt to arise. Several of these laws may seem antiquated, and it may cost more to eradicate them rather than to merely close the eyes to them, but I wonder if anyone could still put on trial a case for changing into a bathing suit in a public restroom.