September 13, 1922
The eight-day-long Straw Hat Riot begins as gangs of teenagers roam New York City and attack men wearing straw hats. Fashion dictated that the seasonal hat was not to be worn past September 15th.
Today marks the centennial anniversary of the Straw Hat Riot.
Straw Hats, also known as "boaters" were cheaply made, semi-formal hats. They were usually worn for outdoor activities during the hot summer months. Like boating. "Boaters," get it?
Generally, men bought a new one each summer. In some circles it was common for friends to grab each other's hat and stomp on it as a lighthearted prank at the end of the season. September 15th was considered the cut off for rocking a straw hat in civilized society.
Two days before the unspoken deadline groups of teenage boys all around New York City went full fashion police. The kids wreaked havoc until they tried to mess with some dock workers and then all hell broke loose. The brawling stopped traffic on the Manhattan Bridge, bonfires of straw hats blazed on city streets, and several people were hospitalized.
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