This Day Prohibition Starts, Everyone Still Drinks (1920)
Jan 16, 2025
On January 16, 1920, the Volstead Act marked the start of Prohibition in the U.S., but compliance was a joke. The wealthy hoarded alcohol, bending laws while society largely ignored the ban. Women played crucial roles in the temperance movement, connecting it to broader social reforms. Fast forward, and today's younger generations are shifting away from boozy nights, favoring mocktails and health trends, sparking a new cultural narrative around drinking.
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First Volstead Act Violation
- The first documented Volstead Act violation occurred 59 minutes after it took effect.
- Thieves stole $100,000 of whiskey from a Chicago freight train.
Pre-Prohibition Stockpiling
- Wealthy Americans stocked up on alcohol before Prohibition began.
- They took advantage of "going out of business" sales at saloons and clubs.
Medicinal Whiskey Loophole
- "Medicinal whiskey" was a loophole in the Volstead Act.
- Winston Churchill used a doctor's note to obtain whiskey during Prohibition.