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Maine is first state to ban liquor
Under the leadership of Portland's Neal Dow (also known as the "Father of Prohibition") Maine approved a total ban on the manufacture and sale of liquor in 1851. This law remained in effect, in one form or another, until the repeal of National Prohibition in 1934. -
18th Amendment Ratified
On January 19, 1919, the 18th Amendment was Ratified. This amendment banned the manufacturing, sale, or transportation of alcohol. -
Congress passed Volstead Act
Congress passed the Volstead Act on October 28, 1919. This act charged the U.S. Treasury Department with enforcement of the new restrictions and defined which "intoxicating liquors" were forbidden. Some liquors were excluded from prohibition, these included alcoholic beverages used for medical and religious purposes. The Volstead Act set the starting date for nationwide prohibition for January 17, 1920, which was the earliest date allowed by the 18th Amendment. -
18th Amendment Took Effect
On January 16, 1920, almost an entire year after being ratified, the 18th Amendment took effect. This meant that it was now illegal to sell, make, or transport alcohol in the United States. -
President Coolidge signs to Jones Act, Targeting Bootleggers
President Calvin Coolidge signs the Jones Act to target bootleggers during Prohibition further. The 18th Amendment outlawed the sale, transportation, and consumption of alcohol, but laws have been ineffective at stopping consumption. The Jones Act strengthened the federal penalties for bootlegging. -
Jobs needed during Great Depression
During the Great Depression, there was a lack of jobs all across the United States. It became an argument that the 18th Amendment needed to be repealed simply for the fact of the jobs that came along with alcohol. If it were repealed, thousands of new jobs would be opened, from packers, delivery drivers, salesmen, etc. This was an argument that led to the eventual repeal of the 18th amendment. -
President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed the Cullen-Harrison Act
Shortly after taking office, President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed the Cullen-Harrison Act, which amended the Vollstead Act. This act permitted the sale and manufacturing of low-alcohol beer and wines. These could be up to 3.2% alcohol by volume. -
Congress initiated the Blane Act and proposed a new amendment to end prohibition.
On February 20, 1933, congress initiated the Blane Act and proposed a new amendment to end prohibition. This would be the first time in the history of the United States Constitution that an amendment would be appealed. -
Michigan is the first state to vote in favor of ratifying the 21st Amendment
After being a previously "dry" state, on April 10, 1933, Michigan became the first state to vote in support of ratifying the 21st Amendment. This started the process of repealing national prohibition. After this overwhelming vote, the Michigan Legislature passed a law that allowed for the manufacturing of beer and wine in their state. -
21st Amendment Ratified
The 21st Amendment was ratified on December 5, 1933. This amendment repealed the 18th Amendment which banned the production, sale, and transport of alcohol. President Franklin D. Roosevelt issued a proclamation regarding the new amendment and stated that he trusted that the American people would not use alcohol for the wrong reasons. Also, even though the 21st Amendment was ratified, the alcohol laws would be left up to the states to interpret how they will enforce them.