Modern man will never understand his ancestors. Now in many states freedom of speech and religion prevails, people live as they like.
Previously, everything was a little different, and you do not need to go far for an example. About 100 years ago, Russian people were sent to prison for what they thought wrongly, "as expected." They were punished for forbidden books, they could even be shot.
Everyone probably heard about the "anti-Soviet elements", people were killed for other views on life, faith in God. Just at that moment in the state such a policy was pursued.
All this is sad, but let's not talk about sad things. Russia is not the only country with strange bans. In many countries, it was forbidden by law to carry certain things, have fun, or read books.
If you are interested in this topic, read our article. Below are 10 harmless things that were banned in the past.
10. Pants for women
Everyone knows that before women did not wear pants, but few people know that this was prohibited at the legislative level.
In France, at the beginning of the 19th century, women were allowed to wear trousers, only they first needed permission from the police. At the beginning of the 20th century, the law was amended.
Women could wear men's clothes when riding a bicycle or horse. If the girl was walking next to the "vehicle", she was obliged to drive the horse by the reins or hold the bike. Otherwise, they could have fined her.
After several decades, women ceased to comply with this law, although it was still in force. True, no one fined or detained fashionable women in trousers. The law was repealed only in 2013.
9. Credit cards for women
Women were infringed on their rights not only in France. In the USA, they were forbidden to issue credit cards. Officially, the law was not approved, but all banks followed this rule.
Before receiving a credit card, a woman had to confirm her husband’s consent. The man put his signature in the document.
How single women got out in this situation, the story is silent. They could only dream of credit cards. The loan amount for women was also underestimated. She should not have exceeded half the earnings.
In 1974, a law was passed that established equality for credit card recipients.
8. Christmas
Surprisingly, Christmas was also banned! In 1644, English Protestants banned the celebration of Christmas. They explained this by the fact that the holiday has pagan roots.
It was impossible to dress up a Christmas tree, cook holiday treats. Heralds walked around the city and informed everyone of the complete ban on Christmas. The law was repealed in 1660.
In December 2018, they decided to ban Christmas in China, in the city of Langfang. This holiday is not considered official there, but some people celebrate it. At least there are festive paraphernalia in the city: shop windows are decorated, souvenirs and gifts are sold.
It was forbidden to plant Christmas trees and to promote religion. This act of the authorities surprised the whole world.
7. Coffee houses
In 1675, King Charles II of England banned coffee houses. It was impossible to trade coffee, tea, sweets. The official reason for the ban is disorderly conduct and laziness.
Indeed, people who gathered in coffee houses spent a lot of time there talking, and yet they could devote it to work.
Actually, that was not the reason. Charles II was afraid of conspiracies. He feared that conspirators would gather in the cafe and organize an uprising. The law never entered into force; it was canceled.
6. Popcorn
When the first cinemas appeared, the audience didn’t even think about popcorn. The fact is that cinema was a privilege of the upper strata of the population. Only those who knew how to read subtitles went there. Cinemas were equipped with the highest class: expensive furniture, carpets.
When the films began to sound, everything changed. Cinemas began to be visited by people of the lower class. Before the session, they bought popcorn and ate it while watching a movie.
Popcorn was then sold on every corner. Soon, sellers of goodies took their "place of honor" in cinemas.
5. Bathing suit
At the beginning of the 20th century, society was struck by the fashion for bathing suits. They existed before, but were ordinary clothes that covered the whole body.
Fashionable swimwear looked a little different, they completely encircled the body, the sleeves disappeared. Women who dared to wear such bathing suits were sent to the police station. Incidents occurred in many cities.
In New York, two dozen women were hired by the police. Their main duty was to maintain order on the beach, they checked how vacationers were dressed, identified violators and detained them. In 1930, the law was repealed.
4. Bikini
If bathing suits were banned, then what about bikinis. It was the height of obscenity. Bikinis were even forbidden to sell, not to wear.
For the first time, the mayor of the Spanish town of Benidorm allowed to wear swimwear. The fact is that the city was visited by tourists, and the ban on swimwear caused their discontent.
Pedro Zaragoza ensured that the bikini was officially allowed, because he did not want to lose tourists because of stupid bans. After some time, bikini began to be worn throughout Spain.
3. Football
Homeland football - England and Scotland. Sailors from these countries traveled around the world, staying at the port, they loved to play football. The game attracted the attention of residents of other countries. Football was becoming more popular.
But in England itself, the game was banned. This applied only to London. Edward II forbade playing football at the beginning of the XIV, due to the fact that the players are too noisy.
The king was also afraid of the consequences. The game was so exciting that it lasted a long time, and after the players often caused riots. Mass fights at that time were not uncommon; football was to blame.
Edward III also banned the game. In his opinion, archery was much more useful. It is believed that the king also wanted to take part in the game, but aristocrats could not afford such entertainment. Therefore, the king decided to ban football.
2. Chess
Chess was banned in many countries, including France, Japan, Persia. Authorities have differently explained the ban on the game. For example, the French king Ludwig IX called them a futile occupation.
Surprisingly, in some countries the ban continues to this day. In Saudi Arabia and Afghanistan it is forbidden to play chess, because players can miss a prayer.
Also in these countries, chess is considered a gamble. According to another version, the game is banned due to religion. In this game, the result depends only on the players, that is, they are not helped by the higher forces, which the locals rely on in everything. The authorities are afraid that the influence of religion on people will decrease, they will believe in their own strengths.
1. Bowling
Another harmless game that has not passed a similar fate. Will have to return to England again in 1366. Edward III banned not only football, but also bowling.
You remember that archery is much more useful. So did Henry VIII. True, he allowed the upper classes to play bowling for the simple reason that he himself loved this game.
Bowling lane owners paid a state fee to the treasury. The track could only be used for yourself. Under the ban were bowling clubs and other institutions where men could play for money.