What quirky law from Alabama’s past showcases the state’s unique history and priorities?

In Alabama, a law once made it illegal to wear a fake mustache in church if it caused laughter. This peculiar ordinance, likely passed in the late 19th or early 20th century, reflects a time when decorum in church services was taken extremely seriously—so much so that even the potential for a chuckle could lead to legal trouble. The law speaks to an era when church was not just a religious gathering but a cornerstone of community life, and any disruption, even one as seemingly harmless as a tickling giggle, was considered a threat to social order. While this law is no longer enforced (or even on the books), it reminds us of a time when lawmakers devoted attention to some truly unexpected details of daily life. Today, Alabama may not have the same rigid stance on humorous facial hair, but the legacy of this law lives on as a delightful tidbit of American legal history.