Today is a momentus day in American history - the day that the 18th Amendment
was repealed and prohibition officially came to an end.

The history of the temperance movement is a fascinating one - filled with
passion and intrique. To me, the most interesting part of prohibition is the
sheer quantities of bootleg alcohol that was sold and consumed. Modern history
often teaches that the only booze available was nasty, dangerous swill that
people brewed in old automobile radiators. Not true as vast amounts of
name-brand alcohol was smuggled into the US from Canada and European sources as
well as the countless small distilleries and breweries and even some commericial
breweries that continued to actually make beer and spirits in areas where the
government officials were adequately bribed.

Dozens, if not hundreds, of speakeasies existed in Reading during prohibition.
Many would be raided and closed by government agents - only to open hours or
days later at another location. It's always been tough to keep a Readingite from
their spirirts!

Even with bootleg booze, 13 years of prohibition must have been an incredible
pain in the butt.

So, raise a toast today to the 21st Amendment and your freedom to drink.

OE






On December 5, 1933, the 21st Amendment to the U.S Constitution is ratified,
repealing Prohibition. The manufacture, sale, and possession of alcoholic
beverages is no longer illegal

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