Every state has its weird laws. If you are ever bored one day I highly suggest looking some of them up, it can be quite entertaining. However there are some real head scratchers in there as well. One such law is the bizarre South Carolina law that makes it illegal to dance on Sundays.
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Illegal To Dance On Sundays: One Of South Carolina's Most Odd Laws
Known for gators, golf courses, and great weather South Carolina is a sought after destination. However, if you are a big time dancer you may want to think twice before moving here. Apparently, it is illegal to dance on Sundays. That's right, you read that correctly. No busting a move past 11:59 pm Saturday night. If you want to get technical about it, here is what the law explicitly says.
SECTION 52-13-10. Operation on Sunday forbidden
"It shall be unlawful for any person to keep open or admit persons to any public dancing hall owned or operated by him or to allow any person to continue thereat between the hours of twelve o'clock, midnight, Saturday and twelve o'clock, midnight, Sunday, and all such places shall be and remain closed to the public between such hours. The violation of the provisions of this section shall subject the offender to a fine of not less than ten nor more than fifty dollars for the first offense and for the second offense not less than fifty dollars nor more than one hundred dollars or imprisonment for thirty days."
HISTORY: 1962 Code Section 5-601; 1952 Code Section 5-601; 1942 Code Section 1734; 1932 Code Section 1734; 1923 (33) 203.
Loop Holes
After reading the official law in the South Carolina Code of Laws, it is easy to point out some loopholes in this one. First and foremost, dancing in and of itself is not illegal on Sundays. Specifically, it is dancing in any public dancing hall that is illegal. Furthermore, as Grunge.com points out, one could argue about the semantics when it comes to the timing of their law.
They write, "And just to clarify: the actual law reads midnight on Saturday and Sunday which technically speaking would mean a 24-hour period starting at 12 a.m. Sunday and ending at 12 a.m. Monday." So the specifics of the law are a little blurry. Regardless it is rather ridiculous that a person could be imprisoned for a month for getting down on the dance floor. There are so many worse things they could be doing.
Where Does This Bizarre South Carolina Law Come From?
Admittedly most people do not worry about this law. After all, if you really want to dance on Sundays do it at home. Shoot you could even do it in a parking lot or down the isles at the grocery store. As long as it is not at a public dance hall you are within your rights. However, how did this bizarre law come into effect in the first place? Why is it illegal to dance on Sundays?
Due to the fact that it pertains specifically to Sunday, many people assume it has religious origins. Seeing as South Carolina has a deeply religious history, it is not surprising that this bizarre law could be connected to that. Perhaps the day of rest means rest even from your favorite activities, like breaking it down on the dance floor. Lawmakers have tried to repeal this bizarre South Carolina law, along with several others but the attempt failed. Looks like for now, South Carolinians will just have to control their happy feet until Monday morning.
