Little-Known Oddities That
Occurred in September
Did you know that September was originally the seventh month of the calendar?
The ancient Romans named the month Septem (“the seventh month”). But in 451 BC, they added January and February to the calendar, bumping September to the ninth position.
Here are some of the more offbeat events that historically occurred in September:
Fashion Police Run Amok
In the early 20th century, wearing a straw boater-style hat after September 15 was considered by New Yorkers to be a major fashion faux pas. Men who did so were often subject to public ridicule or having their hats knocked off.
On September 13, 1922, enthusiastic youths began removing and stomping on hats worn by dock and factory workers. The incident sparked a series of riots that lasted more than a week, with mobs roaming the city and destroying hats.
No deaths resulted, but several people were injured and arrested.
Wheel of Fate?
Internationally famed ballet dancer Isadora Duncan had a flair for the unusual that characterized her life – and her death.
On September 14, 1927, Ms. Duncan was traveling with a handsome mechanic through the French countryside when her long scarf became entangled in the vehicle’s moving wheel, breaking her neck.
The day before, Ms. Duncan had told an Associated Press correspondent that she was afraid “some quick accident might happen.”
Freewheeling Cabbie
Just before 1 a.m. on September 10, 1897, London taxi driver George Smith was spotted by a policeman who had seen Smith’s electric cab swerve across the road and slam into a building.
When questioned, the driver admitted he’d had “two or three glasses of beer.”
The constable scolded him for driving recklessly at the cab’s top speed of eight mph, but Smith insisted he couldn’t have been going more than six mph. He later pleaded guilty and was fined 25 shillings, thus becoming the world’s first DUI offender.
Sources:
Featured Image: Adobe, License Granted
WatchMojo
Click Americana
The British Newspaper Archive
The Vintage News