The early 20th century was characterized by temperance movements in states throughout the United States.  At the time, the majority of politicians felt that banning alcohol would be a progressive amendment to the United States Constitution and as a result, efforts began to make prohibition a reality.  In August of 1917, the Senate took the first steps towards passing prohibition by drafting a resolution for Congressional approval.  The resolution would be passed by the Senate in the same month and the House of Representatives passed the resolution in December of 1917.

On this day, January 16th, in 1918, the ratification of the 18th Amendment to the Constitution was certified.  The amendment would ban the manufacturing, sale, and transportation of alcoholic beverages. Despite the political support for prohibition, the general public’s demand for alcohol did not subside. As a result, a large amount of organized crime emerged to make alcohol available.

Bootlegging and other corruption would persist for the next decade.  The 18th amendment would eventually be repealed with the ratification of the 21st Amendment in 1933.  The 18th amendment is the only Constitutional amendment that his been repealed in United States history.