Happy Repeal of Prohibition Day!!! Today is the 75th Anniversary of the repeal of Prohibition. Called the "nobel experiment" by President Herbert Hoover Prohibition was proposed by the U.S. Senate in 1917, certified and ratified in 1919 and went into effect January 16, 1920.
Amendment XVIII
[The Prohibition Amendment] Passed by Congress December 18, 1917. Ratified January 16, 1919. Repealed by amendment 21.
Section 1. After one year from the ratification of this article the manufacture, sale, or transportation of intoxicating liquors within, the importation thereof into, or the exportation thereof from the United States and all territory subject to jurisdiction thereof for beverage purposes is hereby prohibited.
Section 2. The Congress and the several States shall have concurrent power to enforce this article by appropriate legislation.
Section 3. This article shall be inoperative unless it shall have been ratified as an amendment to the Constitution by the legislatures of the several States, as provided in the Constitution, within seven years from the date of the submission hereof to the States by Congress.
[The Prohibition Amendment] Passed by Congress December 18, 1917. Ratified January 16, 1919. Repealed by amendment 21.
Section 1. After one year from the ratification of this article the manufacture, sale, or transportation of intoxicating liquors within, the importation thereof into, or the exportation thereof from the United States and all territory subject to jurisdiction thereof for beverage purposes is hereby prohibited.
Section 2. The Congress and the several States shall have concurrent power to enforce this article by appropriate legislation.
Section 3. This article shall be inoperative unless it shall have been ratified as an amendment to the Constitution by the legislatures of the several States, as provided in the Constitution, within seven years from the date of the submission hereof to the States by Congress.
Congress through the Volsteed Act put the maximum alcohol content of beverages at 0.005 percent. Law enforcement officials across the country were then in charge of stopping the manufacture, transportation, import/export and sale of all alcoholic beverages. The result was a rise in organized crime, underground speakeasies, experimental bathtub gin and unstable drinking habits. Not all outcomes of the Amendment were negative. The rise in popularity of jazz happened during those dry years. However, Prohibition was seen as largely ineffective and deemed a failure. What started as a way to increase health, decrease crime and strengthen moral fiber had an almost opposite effect on society. The passage of the 21st Amendment on December 5, 1933 re-legalized alcohol an brought an end to the "noble experiment".
To celebrate this historic day raise a glass at your local establishment and proclaim your alcohol rights. Here are a few spirited ways to celebrate the day.
- Head to Memphis Taproom from 3-4pm for $1.00 drafts and celebratory toasts.
- If you haven't tried Prohibition Taproom (501 N. 15th) what better day than today.
- Even though you don't need to find a speakeasy to enjoy a drink you can still head underground at the corner of Broad and Walnut at J.L. Sullivan's Speakeasy.
- If plans take you to San Francisco go to 21st Amendment brewery and restaurant for their Repealebration Celebration.
- Head to The Foodery and mix-a-six of Speakeasy Ales and Lagers.
- Watch the clock and be at The Institute at 19:33 (7:33pm). Get it? Drafts are 10 cents for 19 minutes and 30 seconds. Try not to hurt yourself.
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