The 1960s were a glorious, gritty, and completely unfiltered chapter of history: equal parts rebellious and ridiculous. A time when the rules felt more like loose suggestions and common sense hadn’t quite caught up with reality.
What passed as “normal” then would set off alarms, lawsuits, and viral outrage today. But back then? It was just Tuesday. This slideshow dives headfirst into the jaw-dropping, head-scratching, absolutely true things that were not only tolerated, but totally legal in the Swinging Sixties. No exaggeration, no myths, no "back in my day" fluff; just cold, hard facts that’ll have you laughing, gasping, and maybe even questioning how any of us made it out alive.
If you think today’s world is strange, wait ‘til you see what used to fly without so much as a raised eyebrow.
1
Mercury Thermometers & Switches
Nothing says “science class” like a neurotoxin in your palm.
2
Daredevil Car Stunts Without Permits
Evel Knievel-style stunts with no helmets, no permits, and no chill.
3
Women Couldn’t Get Credit Cards Without Men
Banks required a male co-signer. Independent woman? Too bad.
4
Interracial Marriage Was Illegal in Some States
It wasn’t until 1967 that the Supreme Court finally said: Love is love.
5
No Minimum Drinking Age in Some States
Some states let teens order booze before they could vote.
6
Children Working in Factories or Farms
Childhood included long shifts and few breaks, especially in rural areas.
7
No Drunk Driving Checkpoints
DUI? What DUI? They’d hand you another drink before they’d stop you.
8
Prescription Drug Ads with Little Oversight
Drug companies could say whatever, and they did.
9
Using DDT to Kill Mosquitoes at Home
DDT foggers turned homes into chemical war-zones, all in the name of mosquito control.
10
Weak Food Additive Regulations
The FDA hadn’t caught up yet. So, they pretty much put everything in food.
11
Selling Raw Milk in Stores
Straight from the cow to your fridge, bacteria and all.
12
Employers Could Fire Pregnant Women
Pregnancy = pink slip. And yes, that was totally legal.
13
No Mandatory Motorcycle Helmets
Helmets were for sissies, or so they thought.
14
TV Shows with Racist or Sexist Content
What passed for “funny” back then will make your jaw drop now.
15
Public Smoking Indoors
Bars, diners, hospitals (yes, hospitals) all filled with smoke.
16
Dancing in Segregated Venues
Clubs had rules and some kept people out just because of their skin. Unbelievable, but true.
17
Smoking on Airplanes
Yes, you could light up mid-flight; because nothing says "high altitude safety" like secondhand smoke in a metal tube.
18
Unregulated Pesticide Spraying Near Schools
Crop dusters flying over recess like it was just part of the show.
19
No Child Car Seat Laws
Back then, the safest thing in the car was... probably nothing.
20
Women Barred from Many Jobs
Want to be a lawyer, pilot, or manager? Try being born male first.
21
No Restrictions on Lead Paint
Lead paint was everywhere: colorful, cheerful... and very toxic.
22
Criminalization of Homosexuality
In the '60s, loving the “wrong” person could land you in jail. Let that sink in.
23
Cigarette Ads on TV
Big Tobacco ran prime-time commercials like it was selling bubble gum.
24
Marriage Without a Blood Test
Who needs medical screening when you’ve got love and a Vegas chapel?
25
Using Asbestos Freely
They used it in walls, ceilings, even toasters. Turns out, it’s deadly. Oops.
26
Segregation in Public Places
Until the Civil Rights Act of '64, “separate but equal” was still on the books and on the doors.
27
Selling Cigarettes to Minors
No ID, no problem; some kids bought smokes before they could ride a bike.
28
No Seat Belt Laws
Click it or... oh wait, clicking it wasn’t even a thing yet.
29
Lead in Gasoline
Fill 'er up with toxic fumes, leaded gas was legal and totally mainstream.
30
Using DDT Pesticide
They used it like Febreze. Spoiler: It didn’t just kill bugs.
