Prohibition takes effect

A case that would have not happend in Europe

On January 16, 1919, 99 years ago the US did say NO to any alcohol across the country! In legal words:

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.

Drugs are bad, and alcohol is one of them - the law was introduced in the US by a movement for the prohibition that started in the early 19th century already. Reason was many Americans were concerned about the adverse effects of drinking. At the end of the 19th century, these groups had become a powerful political force and they campaigned for a total abstinence across the country. They won - in 1933 the law was ratified as prohibition created a huge market for criminals - the Mafia was more or less born these days as they were able to bring in alcohol to satisfy the huge demand within the country.