On this day in ...... 1919 (90 years ago today), Congress paved the way for Prohibition by passing the Volstead Act. The statute authorized enforcement of the 18th Amendment, which would take effect in 9 months and ban the U.S. sale, manufacture, or transport of alcoholic beverages -- that is, until its repeal in 1933. This Library of Congress site notes linkages between temperance and suffrage movements. The 1919 sheet music illustration at right (credit) depicts a reason for that linkage: drinking was condemned as a scourge on family life.
(Prior October 28 posts are here and here.)
