Roaring twenties prohibition getty 514877106

1920s and Prohibition

  • Constitution Amendment presented

    The Senate decided to present an amendment to prohibit the sale and consumption of alcohol.
  • Wartime Prohibition Act

    Wartime Prohibition Act

    A temporary federal measure enacted, in which barred the manufacture of beer and wine in the United States after May 1919, and prohibited the sale of beverages containing more than 2.75 percent alcohol anywhere in the nation after July 1, 1919.
  • 18th Amendment Ratified

    The 18th Amendment was ratified by 36 states. Early temperance advocates aimed to reduce alcohol consumption and prevent alcoholism, drunkenness, and the disorder and violence it could result in.
  • Volstead Act

    Clarified law stating that beer, wine, or other intoxicating malt or vinous liquors meant any beverage that was more than 0.5% alcohol by volume and was illegal.
  • Al Capone

    Al Capone

    Gangster Al Capone became a large role in the bootlegging business. He is known for gambling, prostitution, bootlegging, bribery, narcotics trafficking, robbery, “protection” rackets, and murder.
  • Prohibition Cartoon

    Editorial cartoon that appeared in the Putnam County Courier, which regards a candidate who was running for office.
  • Cirrhosis of the Liver

    Deaths in men dropped from 29.5 per 100,000 in 1911 to 10.7 per 100,000 in 1929.
  • Brewery Fire

    Illegal brewery discovered after fire. Three hundred gallons of beer found in barrels and the owners were never found.
  • Beer Revenue Act

    This act is legalized beer and wine with alcohol content up to 3.2% alcohol volume.
  • First Legal Beer

    Produced by Washington's Abner Drury Brewery was delivered to President Roosevelt at the White House.