-
18th AmendmentThe need for nationwide Prohibition was formally introduced in Congress and passed by both houses in December 1917, agreeing to making the motion a Constitutional Amendment. By January 16, 1919, the 18th Amendment was ratified by 36 of the 48 states. Only 2 of those states, Connecticut and Rhode Island, failed to ratify it.
-
The Volstead ActCongress passed the Volstead Act over President Woodrow Wilson's veto, establishing procedures and powers to enforce prohibition under the 18th Amendment.
-
-
The 1920s saw a large rise of bootleggers in major cities, including the 'World's Playground', Atlantic City, NJ. There was an increase in illegal alcohol trafficking and mob activities during the decade. Major bootleggers included Al Capone, Enoch Johnson, Joe Masseria, and Lucky Luciano.
-
Atlantic City Pageant & ExperienceThe first Miss America Pagent was held in Atlantic City, NJ. Margaret Gorman won.
-
New Jersey's Prohibition Era OverviewNew Jersey added its ratification vote, becoming the last of the 48 states to take a position on the Amendment, and the 46th state to vote for ratification.
-
Herman Preston Faris Candidate DetailsNational Prohibition Party nominated Herman P. Faris (Missouri) for President, and a woman, Marie C. Brehm (California), for Vice President; they received 54,833 votes.
-
WCTUElla Alexander Boole became president of the WCTU (Women's Christian Temperance Union), serving until 1933.
-
Elliot Ness BiographyElliot Ness and his followers begin to tackle violators of prohibition and Al Capone's gang in Chicago.
-
-
-
WCTU membership reaches 372,355, its peak.
-
Wiliam Upshaw Candidate DetailsNational Prohibition Party nominated William D. Upshaw (Georgia) for President. He received a total of 81,916 votes.
-
Return of BeerFDR signs the Cullen-Harrison Act which legalizes the manufacture and sale of certain alcohol.
-
Ida Belle Wise Smith Ida Belle Wise Smith became president of the WCTU, serving until 1944.
-
Amendment 21 The 21st Amendment repealed the 18th Amendment, effectively ending the ban on alcohol in America. It is the only Amendment that repeals a previous Amendment.