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Prohibition is proposed
The 18th Amendment was proposed on January 16, 1919, but was not taken effect until January 17, 1920. The 18th Amendment banned all intoxicating beverages in the United States and all sales of alcohol. -
Volstead Act
On October 28, 1919, Congress passed what is known as the Volstead Act. This is what would enforce prohibition, but it was sought to be unconstitutional and very debatable. After President Woodrow Wilson vetoed the law, it was then soon overruled by congress. -
Prohibition Begins
On January 17, 1920, Prohibition actually begins, beginning the start of a dry nation of no alcohol. -
George Remus
As the alcohol ban was taking its toll on the country, some people were taking advantage of that; the most popular being George Remus. George Remus was the most famous bootlegger/moonshiner. In late 1921, George was finally arrested after depositing what would now be 33 million dollars worth of dirty money into the bank. -
John D. Rockefeller's Letter
On January 1, 1932, Rockefeller, one of the most powerful people in the world at the time, released a letter stating that the 18th Amendment is not only causing more crime, but also more drinking, and that it is not helping our nation at all. -
The 21st Amendment is Proposed
on February 20, 1933, The 21st Amendment was proposed in hopes to bring less crime, moonshiners, and bootleggers to our nation; and also trying and bring in revenue from the sales of alcohol. -
The 21st Amendment is added to the Constitution
On December 5, 1933, the 21st Amendment was officially added to the Constitution, but there was still a long way to go until all the states agreed to everything. -
Mississippi
On January 1, 1966, Mississippi was finally the last state to lift its alcohol ban and completely stop the dry nation. -
Kansas and Public Bars
On January 1, 1987, almost 50 years after prohibition had ended, Kansas finally lifted their ban against public bars, and now all the states were free to drink whenever, and almost wherever. -
Cullen-Harrison Act
On March 21, 1993, President FDR signed an act that allowed the sale of beer with 3.2% alcohol content, and wine with similarly low percentages, to be sold within the United States. This became effective on April 7, 1993.