What do you think of the blue law that bergen county has. Its not really about religion, although that is the legal basis for the blue laws. Bchs historic marker program bergen county historical. Bergen county is the most populous county in the u. Jul 04, 2012 the history of bergen county is now submitted to the reader for his criticism. Mar 15, 2011 a multimedia essay expressing the controversy and opportunity that exists behind new jerseys bergen county blue laws. After being born and raised in bergen county for more than 20 years, im happy i left that area. The puritans were probably the first to enforce sunday laws on the north american continent, banning many commercial and recreational activities on sundays during. I dated a girl from bergen county and what i found the most infuriating part about the blue laws was that even though grocery stores would be open they would section off certain items, such as the alcohol, which was a real bummer, and the appliances or whatever. But bergen countys blue laws may be the most famous of all. Should bergen countys blue laws fall, it could mark an end to americans fragile agreement to take one day a week as an antidote to the forces of commerce. Bchs historic marker program bergen county historical society. More than 150 photographs plus maps and figures trace the days from the stone houses of dutch settlers 300 years ago, to real colonials to the extravagant early2othcentury crockermcmillin mansion, known as darlington in mahwah the countys first national historic landmark and on to modern homes and. History of bergen and passaic counties, new jersey, with.
The history of blue laws in bergen county began in the 1950s, when cavernous shopping centers, like the garden state plaza, opened their doors. In 1781, the reverend samuel peters published a general history of connecticut, in which he used the term blue laws to refer to a set of laws that the puritans had enacted in the 1600s to control morality. It should simply discuss the existence of more strict blue laws, with bergen county as an example. The book has been written by a number of persons, all of them beingold residents of the county and abundantly able to write on the subjects assigned them. Blue laws are enforced in parts of the united states and canada as well as some european countries, particularly in austria, germany, switzerland, and norway, keeping most stores closed on sundays. Oct 14, 2019 bergen county is famous for a few things in particular. The book is really a history of the county, told through architecture. Samuel peters 17351826 in his book, general history of connecticut first published in 1781. A local hiphop artist has recorded a new song promoting a repeal of bergen county s blue laws. This causes residents of the county to either get their holiday shopping. This site is open to bergen county residents who are symptomatic. Bergen county, new jersey is notable for their blue laws banning the sale of clothing, shoes, furniture, home supplies and appliances on sundays kept through countywide referendum.
It has a cruciform plan with a castellated exterior, marked by a heavily corbelled battlement and a squat central octagonal tower. The bergen county blue laws that were started probably in the 1960s. Because the roots of blue laws clearly originate from a religious background, many have argued that blue laws are unconstitutional. A number of authorities have argued that some of the early laws, or a book describing the regulations, were printed on blue paper. Repeal the blue laws in bergen county and allow the stores to open. Ang yuta sa bergen county kay patag sa habagatangsidlakan, apan sa amihangkasadpan nga kini mao ang kabungtoran. On sundays in bergen county, nj, a blue law prohibits you from buying electronics seen at mitsuwa. Just because the residents in paramus dont want to deal with the traffic or work on sundays, doesnt mean everybody else in the county shouldnt have the ability to shop. The history of the blue laws dates back nearly 2,000 years, when. A recent campaign to end the blue laws, called modernize bergen county, has gotten 1,200 signatures out of the 2,500 necessary for a referendum on the issue to be placed on a countywide ballot. But one of these blue laws lives on and is going strong. Jun 26, 2011 new jersey bergen county, hackensack bergen county old jail constructed in 191012 restored 200205 the bergen county jail is an impressive and oppressive building.
Civil rights in the 1960s eliminated many of these unfortunate and absurd laws. It is rich and has more people living in it than other counties in new jersey. Here in nj, especially bergen county, we set certain standards that the rest of the world. Nov 26, 2015 socalled blue laws, named for the color paper they used to be written on, have been on the books in new jersey since the late 1600s. See more ideas about bergen county, bergen and trivia.
In rare instances, blue laws affect activities on days other than sunday, but the most common use is in reference to sunday, in which case they are also known as sunday laws. The bergen county historical society, a nonprofit, 501c3 volunteer organization, was founded in 1902 to develop public appreciation for bergen county s remarkable history, especially through the preservation and study of its material culture. The revolutionary war at new bridge landing tells the story of the important role that new bridge landing and the steuben house played in the history of our independence. A blue law is a type of law, typically found in the u. Bchs historic marker program the society, since 1960, has had a continuing program of designating historic sites in the county with distinctive blue and silver markers. Bergen county, nj official website official website. You cant shop at new jerseys american dream on sundays. Socalled blue laws, named for the color paper they used to be written on, have been on the books in new jersey since the late 1600s. Given under my hand and seal, this day of, in the year of our lord, at, in the county aforesaid. Samuel peters 1735 1826 in his book, general history of connecticut first published in 1781.
Many blue laws have been repealed since the 1960s, but some laws that ban the sale of alcohol on sunday remain in force. This site is open to bergen county residents who are symptomatic and asymptomatic. New jerseys blue laws, prohibiting work on sundays, have been on the books. History of bergen county, new jersey internet archive. Available also through the library of congress web site as a raster image. Rob carney, who grew up in palisades park and ridgefield and has been rapping for 8 or 9 years, said. Blue laws are enforced in parts of the united states and canada as well. You can trace bergen countys blue laws all the way back to ancient. Maryland permits sunday automobile sales only in the counties of charles, prince georges, montgomery, and. A local hiphop artist has recorded a new song promoting a repeal of bergen countys blue laws. The history and government of bergen county in new jersey. Owners of smalltown businesses, fearful of having to work on sundays to maintain their income, teamed up with church groups and those concerned about traffic.
These markers are sponsored and paid for by individuals, clubs, institutions, business organizations and municipalities. New york, new jersey publishing and engraving company, 1900. History of bergen county, new jersey classic reprint. Blue laws forbidding sunday work have been on the books in the u. But the broader legacy concerns a central dynamic in the history of american democracy. So bergen county has blue laws to ease the traffic on route 17 and route 4 for one day a week. As far as we know, bergen countys the only jurisdiction in the country that has such. We asked bergen county residents for their thoughts on the ban. Bergen county blue laws protect us from sunday shirts. In the mid20th century a majority of states had similar. In his 1781 book general history of connecticut, the reverend samuel peters 17351826 used it to describe.
Blue laws, also known as sunday laws, are laws designed to restrict or ban some or all sunday. In bergen county, blue laws restrict businesses from opening on sundays. Should bergen countys blue laws fall, it could mark an end to. As of the 2018 census estimate, the county s population was 936,692, an increase of 3.
Blue laws legal definition of blue laws legal dictionary. Bergen county rapper records antiblue law song westwood. Blue laws may also restrict shopping or ban sale of certain items on specific days, most often on sundays in the western world. Its one of the last locations in the country to have such laws, but even bergen county residents dont totally understand them, let alone jersey folk who live elsewhere. The first occurrence of the phrase blue laws so far found is in the newyork mercury of march 3, 1755, where the writer imagines a future newspaper praising the revival of our connecticut s old blue laws. As of the 2019 census estimate, the county s population was 932,202, an increase of 3. Paramus has even stricter blue laws that ban all work on sunday except in groceries, restaurants, and entertainment venues. Mar 27, 2010 blue laws hits home with people theyre outraged, said sarlo, a democrat who represents bergen county. Here in nj, especially bergen county, we set certain standards that the rest of the world doesnt have, in order to protect our quality of life. Bergen countys sunday shopping ban explained the brian. Bergen county, new jersey is notable for their blue laws banning the sale of clothing, shoes, furniture, home supplies and appliances on sundays kept through county wide referendum.
Others suggest that the name is associated with blue blood, a term conveying a disapproving view of common behavior. A multimedia essay expressing the controversy and opportunity that exists behind new jerseys bergen county blue laws. Bergen county, new jersey simple english wikipedia, the. Blue laws hits home with people theyre outraged, said sarlo, a democrat who represents bergen county. Bergen county has one of the strictest blue laws in the countryvirtually all sunday shopping is banned, with the few exceptions including supermarkets, convenience stores, gas stations, and restaurants. Created for a com255 project at marist college, in response to a ny times op. Blue laws prohibit most stores from opening in bergen county, nj on sundays, harming small businesses and leaving people unable to buy basic items. History of bergen county, new jersey, 16301923, volume 3 frances a. Bergen county is famous for a few things in particular.
Socalled blue laws are still in place in bergen county, new jersey, where. Fighting for the right to party on sundays national. Scott tesser needs your help with bergen countys blue laws. Bergen county mopakigbahin sa usa ka utlanan sa passaic county, hudson county, essex county, new york county, the bronx, ug westchester county ang ulohan sa nasod. Repeal the blue laws in bergen county and allow the stores. The history of bergen county is now submitted to the reader for his criticism. History of bergen county, new jersey, 16301923 search. In his 1781 book general history of connecticut, the reverend samuel peters 17351826 used it to describe various laws first enacted by. The city of paramus in bergen county has stricter blue laws, which ban all type of work on sundays except in grocery stores, pharmacies, hotels, restaurants and other hospitality workplaces. Aug 26, 2012 one of the last remaining blue laws in the united states that covers most retail sales, other than food and gas among other limited items, is found in bergen county. More than 150 photographs plus maps and figures trace the days from the stone houses of dutch settlers 300 years ago, to real colonials to the extravagant early2othcentury crockermcmillin mansion, known as darlington in mahwah the countys first national historic landmark and on to modern homes and buildings.
Tomkean signed a bill into law that allowed bergen municipalities to have their own blue laws, even if the county at some point removed its bans. Byers said most blue laws originated as state rules that individual counties or cities. Bergen new bridge medical center at 230 east ridgewood avenue, paramus, nj. The entire proceeds from the sale of the book will benefit the museum building fund of the bergen county historical society. Dec 16, 20 in bergen county, blue laws restrict businesses from opening on sundays.
Petition repeal the blue laws in bergen county and allow. The bergen county blue laws controversy and opportunity. The host noted that the blue laws ban retailers from selling anything on sundays. However, the supreme court of the united states has continually upheld the constitutionality of the laws. Bergen county blue laws restrict sunday holiday shopping. Appears in 192 books from 18052006 page 39 that i do from my heart abhor, detest, and abjure as impious and heretical, that damnable doctrine and position, that princes excommunicated or deprived by the pope, or any authority of the see of. This causes residents of the county to either get their holiday shopping done during the other six days of the week or to. New jersey bergen county, hackensack bergen county old jail constructed in 191012 restored 200205 the bergen county jail is an impressive and oppressive building. Bergen county mopakigbahin sa usa ka utlanan sa passaic county, hudson county, essex. A countywide referendum to repeal bergens blue laws is voted down 192,394 to 157,648.
A recent campaign to end the blue laws, called modernize bergen county, has gotten 1,200 signatures out of the 2,500 necessary for a referendum on the issue to be placed on a county wide ballot. A blue law, in the united states and canada, is a type of law designed to enforce moral. Bergen county, new jersey, usa places librarything. Nahimutang ni sa estado sa new jersey, sa sidlakang bahin sa nasod, 300 km sa amihanansidlakan sa washington, d. Sep 29, 2014 bergen county temporarily suspends its blue laws. The blue law enforced in the county is actually a state law that each county could reject by voter referendum, with 20 of the states 21 counties having voted to reject the legal.
Bergen county blue laws protect us from sunday shirts rapid. Blue laws lifted in bergen county under new executive. History of bergen and passaic counties, new jersey, with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men by clayton, w. Aug 06, 2009 what do you think of the blue law that bergen county has. It looks like theres an issue with javascript in your browser. As of a 2009 united states census, it had 895,250 people. Where did bergens blue laws come from, and why do efforts to repeal them get shot down. Unless bergen county s laws are truly unique, i propose cutting this section down or rewriting it to remove a focus on bergen county. One of the last remaining blue laws in the united states that covers most retail sales, other than food and gas among other limited items, is found in bergen county.
History of bergen and passaic counties, new jersey by w. Americas last ban on sunday shopping the new yorker. Certainly, a modern legacy of the old blue laws is the limits on sunday business that persist in bergen county and other parts of the united states. Located in the northeastern corner of new jersey and its gateway region, bergen county is part of the new york.