“Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled (two-thirds of each House concurring therein), That the following article is hereby proposed as an amendment to the Constitution of the United States, which shall be valid to all intents and purposes as part of the Constitution when ratified by conventions of three-fourths of the several States:
“Article –
Section 1. The eighteenth article of amendment to the Constitution of the United States is hereby repealed.
Section 2. The transportation or importation into any State, Territory, or possession of the United States for delivery or use there in of intoxicating liquors, in violation of the laws thereof, is hereby prohibited.
Section 3. This article shall be inoperative unless it shall have been ratified as an amendment to the Constitution by conventions in the several States, as provided in the Constitution, within seven years from the date of the submission hereof to the States by the Congress.”
Sent to the States on February 20, 1933, the above—the glorious 21st Amendment—set into motion the reversal of what everyone can agree was the worst of abuse of the U.S. Constitution ever to occur (so far). It ended the ludicrous social experiment of temperance, and enabled millions of Americans to get wasted in bars, clubs or their front lawns without fear of reprisal from the authorities. Not that people had stopped drinking, mind you, they were just doing it on the down low and providing crime syndicates an easy profit stream. Rest assured that we can always trust a good-ol’ American puritanical streak to put an end to something others find pleasurable. Nevertheless, reason triumphed, and the 18th Amendment was officially repealed on December 5, 1933, making today the 74th anniversary of Repeal Day.
A year ago, we gave you a pretty good overview of Temperance, its history, and the reason for Repeal Day. We won’t go over it here, but will implore you all the same to make an effort to get out to a bar tonight and raise a glass for sanity. Reason Magazine, premier Repeal Day blogger Jeffrey Morgenthaler, and local foodies (and maybe an advertiser) ask that you do the same.
Obvious choices for celebration are Temperance Hall in Petworth and the 21st Amendment Bar and Grill close to Federal Center SW, but really any old bar, club, or living room will do, as long as there’s booze. Let us know in the comments where you plan to be in order to curse Prohibition and toast its repeal.
Photo courtesy of BlueIris2006.
