Steely Dan Posted January 16, 2009 Posted January 16, 2009 January 16: General Interest 1919 : Prohibition takes effect The 18th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, prohibiting the "manufacture, sale, or transportation of intoxicating liquors for beverage purposes," is ratified on this day in 1919 and becomes the law of the land. The movement for the prohibition of alcohol began in the early 19th century, when Americans concerned about the adverse effects of drinking began forming temperance societies. By the late 19th century, these groups had become a powerful political force, campaigning on the state level and calling for total national abstinence. In December 1917, the 18th Amendment, also known as the Prohibition Amendment, was passed by Congress and sent to the states for ratification. Prohibition took effect in January 1919. Nine months later, Congress passed the Volstead Act, or National Prohibition Act, over President Woodrow Wilson's veto. The Volstead Act provided for the enforcement of prohibition, including the creation of a special unit of the Treasury Department. Despite a vigorous effort by law-enforcement agencies, the Volstead Act failed to prevent the large-scale distribution of alcoholic beverages, and organized crime flourished in America. In 1933, the 21st Amendment to the Constitution was passed and ratified, repealing prohibition. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ After the repeal of the Amendment nobody has been able to learn a lesson from that and apply it to the "war on drugs."
HopsGuy Posted January 16, 2009 Posted January 16, 2009 My grandfather was a bootlegger & speakeasy proprietor. The local police turned a blind eye. Of course, he never went on to head the SEC nor did my father ever become president. Missed opportunity, I guess.
Cugalabanza Posted January 16, 2009 Posted January 16, 2009 21st Amendment to the U.S. Constitution: Congress shall make no law preventin' me from gettin' my swerve on!
Steely Dan Posted January 16, 2009 Author Posted January 16, 2009 21st Amendment to the U.S. Constitution: Congress shall make no law preventin' me from gettin' my swerve on! Amen, brutha! We gotta keep these idiot fundamentalists from taking our fun!!!
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