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Happy Repeal Day! Twitter Commemorates the End of Prohibition

On January 16th, 1919 the 18th amendment to the US Constitution was ratified, prohibiting the “manufacture, sale, or transportation of intoxicating liquors within, the importation thereof into, or t...
Happy Repeal Day! Twitter Commemorates the End of Prohibition
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  • On January 16th, 1919 the 18th amendment to the US Constitution was ratified, prohibiting the “manufacture, sale, or transportation of intoxicating liquors within, the importation thereof into, or the exportation thereof from the United States.” Congress subsequently passed the Volstead Act, which defined “intoxicating liquors,” and set down the penalties for violating the 18th amendment. So began Prohibition, the era of speakeasies, of Al Capone and Elliot Ness’s Untouchables.

    The so-called “Noble Experiment” lasted thirteen years, during which time the 18th amendment and Volstead Act proved wildly unpopular and extremely difficult to enforce. It ultimately came to an end on December 5th, 1933 when Utah became the last state to ratify the 21st amendment, which repealed the 18th amendment and re-opened the way for the manufacture, sale, import, and export of alcohol within the US. A snapshot of the New York Times front page can be seen below:

    New York Times Reports Prohibition Over

    Many people took to Twitter to commemorate the event and to encourage their followers to celebrate the event.

    The National Archives posted a link to the text of FDR’s proclamation of the repeal:

    This proclamation from FDR announces that the 21st Amendment was ratified #onthisday in 1933 and #Prohibition is ended http://t.co/bk00v5wf 44 minutes ago via HootSuite · powered by @socialditto

    While another user posted the New York Times front page seen above:

    The original NY Times front page article on the repeal of prohibition — http://t.co/tyIwbqFU 3 hours ago via web · powered by @socialditto

    Six Row Brewing Company in St. Louis celebrated by offering a special deal on one of their beers:

    Today we are celebrating Repeal Day with $4 Prohibition Pilsners all day. 1 hour ago via TweetDeck · powered by @socialditto

    Others marked the event by encouraging readers to be extra generous to their bartenders…

    Prohibition was repealed 78 years ago today. Give your bartender later an extra buck. 4 hours ago via web · powered by @socialditto

    Others encourage their followers to support the smaller-scale distillers, vintners, and craft brewers.

    Happy Repeal of Prohibition Day! Be sure to celebrate today by having a fine craft beer, small batch spirit, or a great wine. 45 minutes ago via Twitter for Mac · powered by @socialditto

    So today is the 78th Anniversary of the repeal of prohibition in the US. Crack open a special #craftbeer tonight! What might you open? 3 hours ago via TweetDeck · powered by @socialditto

    Others had a variety of recommendations for marking the event.

    #Prohibition was repealed 78 years ago today, so here are 18 drinking songs to toast the occasion: http://t.co/31SyDL4a #musicmonday 4 hours ago via TweetDeck · powered by @socialditto

    Happy Repeal of Prohibition Day! Celebrate with one of these 10 Winter Ales: http://t.co/QBPVUjc1 4 hours ago via HootSuite · powered by @socialditto

    One user noted one of the many costs of the failed “Noble Experiment.”

    #DrunkenHistory Historians estimate that up to 50,000 people were blinded or paralyzed from bad liquor during #prohibition. 1 hour ago via web · powered by @socialditto

    While others simply took to Twitter to express their celebration.

    Happy Repeal Day! It’s been 78 years since the end of Prohibition. Raise a glass tonight and toast the end of the “Noble Experiment.” 2 hours ago via web · powered by @socialditto

    Happy Repeal Day! On this day in 1933, Prohibition ended and your right to consume alcohol was returned! Cheers to THAT! 2 hours ago via Facebook · powered by @socialditto

    Happy 78th Anniversary to the ratification of the 21st Amendment, repealing Prohibition! What better way to celebrate than a nice cold brew! 2 hours ago via Twitter for BlackBerry® · powered by @socialditto

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