Fascinating history of state trooper uniforms (among many other things).

Many of the institutions that British observers have found "over the top" in American life are a result of these largely successful campaigns. From mandatory flag salutes and Pledges of Allegience in schools to the elaborate uniforms of state policemen, these have become part of the look and feel of American life and our national narrative.

(The state police uniforms came about after a commission of inquiry into a bloody bout of labor violence in Pennsylvania at the turn of the century. The commissioners found that many of the strikers were immigrants from the Austro-Hungarian Empire, and expected police to have gaudy and impressive uniforms. American lawmen of that period outside of the big cities tended to wear ordinary civilian clothes with perhaps a badge, and this was especially true of the special deputies recruited for labor strike duties. Many of the immigrant strikers had not even been aware that the deputies were official police, and had assumed they were thugs hired by the employers. Of course in those days the difference was often slim. But in any event, a specially-trained constabulary was created in Pennsylvania, which became the State Police, and care was taken to give them an impressive uniform -- the "Smokey-the-Bear" look. This established the tradition for American state police forces ever after.)