12/6/2008

in

75 years ago to the day, Americans were allowed to consume alcohol legally, once again. Cheers!

Susie Kopecky

Only 76 years ago, our American ancestors were generally prohibited from imbibing any alcoholic beverage, save for a few sanctioned uses. Then, 75 years ago, lawmakers in Washington decided to repeal the 18th Amendment, via the 21st Amendment. Cheers to that!  
  
Bars all over the country are celebrating the passage of the 21st Amendment's 75th anniversary this weekend. December 5 marks the anniversary of the day that Utah became the 36th state to ratify the amendment, effectively ending Prohibition. This weekend should be a wild one, as various bars and other locations offering liquor are planning celebrations, some even 1930s-themed, to celebrate the legality of liquor.  
  
Even if you were working late on Friday, many celebrations will surely be taking place this weekend across the country. Prohibition, or the "Noble" experiment, was pushed forward in the early twentieth century in the Temperance Movement, when it was felt that alcohol contributed to society's ills. That, and it was a catalyst for women to flex their muscles in a way new to them, as women had obtained the right to vote, only in 1920.  
  
Soon after the dreaded 18th Amendment was repealed during the early days of Franklin Roosevelt's tenure as president, "good times" were promised once again. So cheers to you, Mr. President, and cheers to a legal celebratory drink. Cheers to civics! Cheers to history!