Then you're not very old. The drinking age in most states was 21 years old prior to the 1970s. During the Vietnam War, the argument was often heard that if we expect kids to fight for their country, we ought to allow them the privileges of adulthood. During this time the voting age was lowered to 18, and many--probably most--states began lowering their drinking ages.
I went to college in Wisconsin, a year or so after the age was lowered to 18. I distinctly recall a Friday evening ritual at the college rathskeller called "Senior Drink." It was so-called because previously of course you had to be at least 21 to participate--the typical age of the senior college student.
The name stuck even though now, all could participate.
By the end of the 1970s, the statistics on traffic fatalities involving drunk drivers ages 18 to 21 were up so alarmingly that the states took another look at the trend.
Congress acted, and forced the age back up.
You need to remember (before you start yelling about Democrats) that this was the time when the Democrat party was considered the "party of youth," and the Democrats were the ones who had spearheaded lowering both the voting and the drinking ages.
So this was a popular mandate. People got tired of the bloodbath, as I mentioned.
So now you know the history that occurred BEFORE (apparently) you were born--since I've noticed a lot of FReepers seem to think that nothing much of interest happened before their date of birth.
Well, it's true...dammit!
But obviously decided to do nothing about it so....
Congress acted, and forced the age back up.
Yep. Just what we all keep saying. The States had no problem with 18 as the age, but "Congress acted".....
Maybe the reason was due to bigger and faster cars.
Poor eyesight.
More cars on the road.
Laws which favoured the driver.
The "alcohol lobby".
" People got tired of the bloodbath, as I mentioned."
Diversity has brought on a far greater bloodbath than drunk driving.
I don't see any law outlawing that.
All states and the District of Columbia now have 21-year-old minimum drinking age laws. NHTSA estimates that these laws have reduced traffic fatalities involving drivers 18 to 20 years old by 13% and have saved an estimated 20,043 lives since 1975. (here)
"bathed in blood"? The CDC's website says that the category of "Pneumonia/Influenza" claimed more than 20,000 lives of those under-20 from 1981-1998 (ten fewer years than 1975-2002), yet few would say that pneumonia has bathed the streets in the blood of children. Also interesting that the 87% who are still dying don't qualify for your magic "bathed in blood" label.
I stongly doubt your version of the facts.
GRRRRRollin