16-1-1920: U.S. Bans Sale of Liquor

VIVAnews - In the past 93 years, the U.S. government imposed a ban on the distribution and sale of alcoholic beverages. The ban only lasted from 1920 to 1933.


According to The History Channel, liquor sales ban was implemented through the 18th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. A year earlier, the amendment was approved by Congress in 1917 has been ratified by 36 of the 48 states in the U.S..

However, the ban on the sale of alcoholic beverages is utilized by criminal syndicates. One is a mafia kingpin in Chicago, Al Capone.

They make a profit of millions of dollars by smuggling and selling liquor, which has been declared illegal. On the other hand, the government bears the cost of the implementation of the ban as well as loss of tax revenue from liquor.

Amid rising crime and other social problems, the 18th Amendment became increasingly unpopular. Democratic presidential candidate at the time, Franklin D. Roosevelt, promised to remove regulations that prohibit the distribution and sale of liquor. Promise Roosevelt was backed by a number of leading figures such as billionaire John D. Rockefeller.

Roosevelt had won the election and became president of the United States. In December 1933, emerging 21st Amendment passed and ratified by the Congress immediately. The amendment to repeal the 18th Amendment prohibiting the sale and distribution of liquor.

Until now, the 18th Amendment is the only rule in the U.S. Constitution that repealed entirely.

Sources: http://dunia.news.viva.co.id/news/read/382552-16-1-1920