Straw Hats

 A facebook post about Stupid History lessons led me to discover the straw hat riots of 1922 in New York City.

Straw hats had become fashionable as men's wear before then.  We call them Panama Hats or Boaters Hats.    But, it was unacceptable to wear them beyond September 15.  Friends might rip off a hat worn after that date and stomp it flat.

But strangers might do the same if a man dared wear a straw hat beyond the cut off date.

On September 13 of 1922, two days prior to the deadline, gangs of youth attacked men who wore straw hats, yanking them from their heads, or even pulling them off with sticks that had nails driven through the end.  

A group of dock workers fought back and so the riots began.  The next night, even more youths roamed the street beating men who resisted having their hats torn off.  There were arrests.

Stupid history.  The only hats now commonly worn by men are ball caps.  They are often dirty and ragged looking.  I think some fit and others don't.  (hint: Christmas is coming.  Get your ball cap guy a new hat).

Here's an article about the riots, where a judge declared it is a man's right to wear a straw hat even in a snowstorm.

Most hats, regardless of design or age, are for a purpose--to keep the sun off ones' head and out of ones' eyes.  In the case of men sometimes, to hide a bald head.   Men don't need hair to be attractive, in my opinion.