It is interesting to note that the Landmark Historic District in Savannah has a very lenient public drinking policy which allows open alcoholic beverages every day of the year. This is noteworthy because Savannah is home to the American Prohibition Museum. Let me rephrase that – the ONLY Prohibition Museum in America. Rather ironic wouldn't you say?
The museum spends time talking about what lead up to the passing of the Eighteenth Amendment prohibiting the production, importation, transportation and sale of alcoholic beverages. The Eighteenth Amendment was law from 1920 until 1933. Crusades to make America 'dry' started much earlier in the late 1800's. People such as Carrie Nation, the ax-wielding destroyers of saloons was very influential in the march toward passage of the amendment.
Prohibition was not a successful venture. Forty percent of US taxes came from liquor. When prohibition happened it caused major economic issues. Income tax was put in place to take the place of the revenue loss. Yes, prohibition gave us the income tax. Prohibition also lead to the rise of the gangster era – the Al Capones and Bugs Marons of the era took advantage of America's need for alcohol. Interesting note: Booze running supposedly begat NASCAR. The runners souped up their cars and drove fast and furious at night to elude the Feds, sheriffs and cops in an effort to get their product to the speakeasies. Speaking of speakeasies, although the actual number will probably never be known – the estimate for speakeasies in New York, during prohibition ranges from 20,000 to 100,000. in 1933 the Twenty-first Amendment repealed the Eighteenth Amendment .
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| Drinking songs became popular |
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| You just couldn't make or sell or transport alcohol |
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| True then and true now |
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| I found this fascinating |
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