This Day Prohibition Arrives (1920) [Part 1]
Jan 13, 2026
Discover the chaotic first night of Prohibition in January 1920. Hear about frantic crowds stocking up on liquor and the early enforcement efforts. The podcast explores the moral framing of this era by the media and reformers. Delve into the cultural conflicts surrounding saloons and immigration, as well as the eclectic coalitions advocating for the ban. Learn how Carrie Nation became a symbol of temperance through her dramatic activism. Finally, uncover the surprising impact of World War I on the legislation that reshaped American society.
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Prohibition As A Broad Social-Political Mix
- Prohibition combined social, cultural, and political movements into a transformative national policy.
- The hosts frame January 16, 1920 as a culmination of long-running forces reshaping America.
Midnight Liquor Stampede
- On the first night of Prohibition people frantically bought and moved liquor like a Black Friday rush.
- Interior Secretary Franklin Lane described the scene as "scoogey, awry, distorted and altogether perverse."
Urbanization Made Drinking A Public Problem
- Progressive-era reforms and urban growth made alcohol a public policy target rather than a private matter.
- Reformers linked drunkenness to crime, prostitution, and urban disorder to justify legal bans.