logo
When Utah passed an "emergency" ban on tall hats at live performances

When Utah passed an "emergency" ban on tall hats at live performances

Axios20-05-2025
With Kilby Block Party heralding the start of our summer concert season, I find myself torn between wanting to join in the fun and not wanting to spend hours staring at some guy's shoulder blades because I'm too short to see anything else.
Catch up quick: Turns out I'm not the first Utahn to tire of neck-craning. The legislature once passed an "emergency" ban on tall hats in theaters because no one behind them could see the show.
This is Old News, our weekly quest for an unobstructed view of Utah's past.
The intrigue: The 1897 ban was the first Utah bill ever filed by a woman.
Eurithe K. LaBarthe was one of two women elected to the state House in 1896, when Utah's new constitution granted suffrage.
When LaBarthe proposed the hat ban, the men in the chamber laughed at its frivolity.
Yes, but: "High hat" bans were sweeping the nation, starting in Ohio.
Context: Women's hats of the day were, admittedly, way over the top.
What happened: The ban swiftly passed both chambers and was signed by the governor as an " emergency measure."
​​ How it worked: Guests at theaters, opera houses and other "indoor places of amusement" faced fines ranging from $1 to $10 for wearing hats that blocked the view for other patrons — about $40 to $400 in today's money.
Friction point: Women kept wearing their high hats, the Salt Lake Tribune reported, noting: "Just how many ostriches had been stripped to supply these mammoth creations would be hard to tell."
The next month, lawmakers called for the arrest of one theater owner who refused to sell them tickets in protest of the hat ban.
The other side: In an editorial, the Broad Ax newspaper of Salt Lake City argued that women looked prettier without hats anyway.
The Salt Lake Herald pointed out that men were constantly getting up mid-show to go hang out with their friends in the theater. The newspaper called on the legislature to ban that, too.
The bottom line: Until Utah implements a tall person ban, my 6' 4" husband will be avenging my shortness at all the live shows I skip.
Previously in Old News
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Jon Stewart Explains Why Trump Is Totally Not Suing Over This 1 Move
Jon Stewart Explains Why Trump Is Totally Not Suing Over This 1 Move

Yahoo

time19 hours ago

  • Yahoo

Jon Stewart Explains Why Trump Is Totally Not Suing Over This 1 Move

Jon Stewart on Thursday argued that President Donald Trump won't hit billionaire Elon Musk with a lawsuit after the former White House official used his social media platform to declare that the president was in the so-called Jeffrey Epstein files. The 'Daily Show' host, in the latest episode of his 'Weekly Show' podcast, said the two have a relationship similar to the U.S. and China, where they understand that 'mutually assured destruction' is at play. 'I think they know enough about each other,' Stewart said. 'But he's been quiet lately, don't you think?' replied producer Brittany Mehmedovic of Musk. 'No question, I think, but he's still got his lovely social media platform, which is MechaHitler-ing all over people's timelines so it's still a very positive — net positive for humanity,' Stewart replied. Weeks before the Trump administration faced backlash over its handling of the Epstein case, Musk used his public breakup with Trump to drop a 'really big bomb' on X, alleging that the president was named in files tied to the late convicted sex offender. 'That is the real reason they have not been made public,' he wrote in the since-deleted post from June. The post arrived weeks before The Wall Street Journal reported Wednesday that Attorney General Pam Bondi informed Trump in May that his name was featured multiple times in the Epstein files. In recent weeks, Musk has addressed the Epstein fallout on X, calling it a 'cover up' and claiming there was 'only one reason' that House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) shut down upcoming House votes to block a bipartisan effort to vote on the release of the Epstein files. 'I cannot for the life of me think why Trump wouldn't sue Elon for 'Trump is in the Epstein files,'' said Stewart before cracking a smile and adding that the president is 'so clearly all over' the files. Stewart then referred to Trump's threats to canceling government contracts with Musk's companies like SpaceX. ″[Then] they're like, 'Actually, we can't. There's no one else that can launch a satellite — we can't use NASA because we cut their funding to a point where they are a nonfunctioning organization, like we're gutting the very government that would give us options,'' he said. Related... Jon Stewart Hits Trump Right In The 'Penis' With Soaring Defense Of Stephen Colbert White House Seethes Over Shocking 'South Park' Premiere That Brutally Bashes Trump 'South Park' Goes Scorched-Earth On Trump In Shockingly NSFW Season Premiere

MAGA in mourning after death of Hulk Hogan
MAGA in mourning after death of Hulk Hogan

Politico

timea day ago

  • Politico

MAGA in mourning after death of Hulk Hogan

The president praised Hogan's appearance last year at the Republican National Convention. 'He entertained fans from all over the World, and the cultural impact he had was massive.' Hogan, whose real name was Terry Gene Bollea, was a WWE megastar who helped take professional wrestling into the mainstream. He lost his contract with WWE after he reportedly used a racial slur in an unauthorized videotape. He subsequently apologized. The wrestler took last year's RNC in Milwaukee by storm, ripping off both his blazer and shirt to reveal a red Trump-Vance tank top underneath and shouting out the virtues of 'Trumpmania' to raucous applause from the crowd. Vice President JD Vance wrote on X that in a previous meeting, he'd promised Hogan that the pair would connect over beers whenever their paths next crossed. 'The next time will have to be on the other side, my friend!' he said. 'Rest in peace.' Tributes poured in from all over Washington. White House border czar Tom Homan shared that he once had a 200-pound mastiff named Hulk Homan and House Speaker Mike Johnson shared condolences on X. 'We all have fond memories of @HulkHogan,' he wrote. 'From my childhood in the '80s, to campaigning with him last year, I always saw him as a giant in stature and in life. May he rest in peace.' Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis said Hogan, who lived in the state for many years, had been 'our superhero' when he was growing up. 'We were with him just a couple months ago, my kids got to meet him and everything,' DeSantis said. 'So, I was really sad to see that, and our thoughts and prayers go out to his family and people throughout this region of Florida, because I know so many people cared about him.' Andrew Atterbury contributed to this report.

Hulk Hogan dies at 71: Wrestling stars, celebrities and more react

timea day ago

Hulk Hogan dies at 71: Wrestling stars, celebrities and more react

Stars across the wrestling world are remembering Hulk Hogan following his death at the age of 71. The two-time WWE Hall of Famer and former world champion, whose real name was Terry Gene Bollea, died Thursday, according to Clearwater, Florida, police and WWE. Following Hogan's death, celebrities and wrestling world figures began sharing tributes to him on social media. Hulk Hogan, WWE Hall of Famer and legendary champion, dies at 71 In a statement, WWE called Hogan "one of pop culture's most recognizable figures" and said he "helped WWE achieve global recognition in the 1980s." The company also extended its condolences to Hogan's "family, friends, and fans." Retired professional wrestler Ric Flair took to social media Thursday, writing, "I Am Absolutely Shocked To Hear About The Passing Of My Close Friend @HulkHogan! Hulk Has Been By My Side Since We Started In The Wrestling Business." He added, "An Incredible Athlete, Talent, Friend, And Father! Our Friendship Has Meant The World To Me. He Was Always There For Me Even When I Didn't Ask For Him To Be. He Was One Of The First To Visit Me When I Was In The Hospital With A 2% Chance Of Living, And He Prayed By My Bedside. Hulk Also Lent Me Money When Reid Was Sick. Hulkster, No One Will Ever Compare To You! Rest In Peace My Friend! 🙏🏻." Flair's daughter, American professional wrestler Charlotte Flair, shared a tribute to Hogan on X, stating that he was there for her when she "nearly lost my dad 8 years ago." "One of the few people who was there for all of it was Hulk Hogan," she wrote, adding that her "heart breaks" for Hogan's son and daughter, Nick Hogan and Brooke Hogan. WWE Champ John Layfield also shared a memory of Hogan on X, writing that Hogan was "one of the reasons I got into wrestling." "Hulk was always so nice to me and was the one celebrity that wanted to see all the kids I brought over from Bermuda," Layfield added. "RIP legend. There will never be another. Hulkamania never dies." On X, House Speaker Mike Johnson shared a photo of himself with Hogan, now-Education Secretary Linda McMahon and President Donald Trump on the campaign trail last year. "We all have fond memories of Hulk Hogan," Johnson wrote. "From my childhood in the '80s, to campaigning with him last year, I always saw him as a giant in stature and in life. May he rest in peace." Donald Trump Jr. also took to X with a photo of Hogan and wrote, "R.I.P to a legend. 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸 HULK HOGAN."

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store