Posted on 12/05/2022 6:09:23 AM PST by Red Badger
NATIONAL REPEAL DAY
On December 5th, National Repeal Day commemorates the day Prohibition ended in the United States.
#NationalRepealDay
Prohibition grew out a practice of moderation rooted in the Protestant churches in America. By the 1830s, consumption of alcohol, especially hard spirits, was affecting the nation. Most participants were male. Those who supported who joined the Temperance movement saw alcohol as the root of all evil. The movement took hold at a time when women had few rights, and the country was debating slavery. Ethics and mores were changing. The Temperance movement shifted the view on alcohol use from moderation to eradication.
The following decades would see organizations such as the Prohibition Party, Women’s Christian Temperance Union, and Anti-Saloon League formed. By 1838, Tennessee would pass the first legislation prohibiting the sale of alcohol. Some new states would enter the union as dry states. In 1919, the 18th Amendment was ratified, banning the production, transportation, and sale of alcoholic beverages. However, the legislation did not prohibit the consumption of such drinks.
The Amendment went into effect in 1920, and numerous businesses closed. Beyond the loss of brewers and bars, governments lost tax revenues. Additionally, the cost of enforcing prohibition was expensive. Those determined to produce, transport, and sell alcohol created a black market that crisscrossed the nation. Their illicit methods became notorious and the stuff of legend. In 1929, the stock market crashed.
During the years of Prohibition, use of the term “gangster” increased. The term “moonshine” reached its peak usage.
Prohibition’s “great experiment” was a significant failure. The term “bootlegger” would reach its peak usage as Prohibition neared the end of its lifespan. Congress proposed the 21st Amendment to the Constitution on February 20, 1933. The amendment repealed the 18th Amendment and was ratified on December 5 that year.
HOW TO OBSERVE NATIONAL REPEAL DAY
Learn more about the history of the 18th and 21st Amendments. Drink your favorite cocktail. Try a new cocktail. Visit a speakeasy reminiscent of days gone by. While you do, be sure to invite friends to join you.
As always, drink responsibly. Never drink and drive. Use #NationalRepealDay to share on social media.
NATIONAL REPEAL DAY HISTORY
The day Prohibition ended has been celebrated since 1933. Newspapers across the country reported repeal celebrations. Al Capone was even reported as praising the end of prohibition from his prison cell. Some areas postponed celebrations until the 6th, but distilleries geared up, ready for production.
Celebrating the 21st Amendment has increased. In the last couple of generations, fascination with the Prohibition years, styles, and history have grown.
Repeal FAQ
Q. How many amendments have been repealed?
A. Only one U.S. Constitutional amendment has been repealed, and that is the 18th Amendment. It was repealed with the passage of the 21st Amendment.
Q. Was it illegal to drink alcohol during prohibition?
A. No. The 18th Amendment made it illegal to manufacture, distribute and sell intoxicating liquors. Any bottles of wine, beer, and spirits privately owned could be consumed.
I’ll Drink to that!.....................
A shame we don’t have such a day for the 16th, 17th and 19th amendments, too. Things would be in a lot better shape.
It was okay for religious purposes and medicinal purposes.
I bet there were a lot of sick religious people back then................
The FIRST thing I taught Beau when we were dating, was how to order me a perfect Dirty Martini...Vodka, top shelf, ice cold, straight up, dirty, with extra olives.
He got it right the very first time, so I kept him around. ;)
No carbs and only about 60 calories! Win/Win!
I had one on Saturday Night when we went Supper Clubbing with my BFFs of 40+ years. It. Was. Heavenly. :)
I hardly drink at all, practically never.
I drank enough when I was young to last me a lifetime.................
It wasn’t illegal to drink, just manufacture transport and sell the stuff. Sort of like drugs.
Cocktails for Two--Carl Brisson (1934)
I'll See You in C-U-B-A--Billy Murray (1920)
Hello Montreal!--Waring's Pennsylvanians (1928)
You could go to Tijuana and get drunk and see a show!..............
It would be nice if congress celebrated repeal day by repealing it’s crap legislation and regulation.
Thansk hic hic hic goodnesses
Before Las Vegas, Southern Californians who wanted to drink and gamble went to TJ, which boasted the longest bar in the world at the Mexicali Beer Hall.
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