Stunning photos show how America’s ban on alcohol took effect on Prohibition’s 100th anniversary

It is hard to imagine in a happy hour, White Claw-obsessed kind of world, but 100 years ago a ban on alcohol went into effect across the United States.

The 18th Amendment, which prohibited the ‘manufacture, sale, or transportation of intoxicating liquors,’ began on January 17, 1920 and ushered in the era known as Prohibition. The push to put an end to Americans drinking was a decades-long effort led by women like Carrie Nation, who wielded her hatchet to smash up saloons.

Prohibition gave rise to perilous, sometimes blind-inducing bathtub gin served at secret clubs called speakeasies and empowered organized crime, making the mafia unfathomably rich with gangsters like Al Capone earning, by some estimates, hundreds of millions of dollars a year in bootlegging and other illicit activities. Gang violence reached its pinnacle on Saint Valentine’s Day Massacre on February 14, 1929 when seven men were shockingly gunned down in Chicago.

The federal government, of course, tried to enforce the ban, pouring out bottles of liquor and barrels of beer in the streets. But by 1933, Americans had had enough. Battered by a stock market crash that led to the Great Depression, newly inaugurated President Franklin D Roosevelt made sure that one of his first acts of office was to make beer and wine legal once again. 

The ‘noble experiment’ – a romanticized time of flappers and jazz and immortalized by authors such as F Scott Fitzgerald – ended with the ratification of the 21st Amendment, which repealed the ban, on December 5, 1933.

The 18th Amendment, which banned the nationwide manufacturing and sale of alcohol went into effect on January 17, 1920. Above, New York City Deputy Police Commissioner, John A Leach (right) watches agents pour liquor into the sewer following a raid during the height of prohibition in 1921

Prohibition agents destroy beer barrels at a dump in New York City, 1931. Shortly after the 18th Amendment was ratified, Congress passed the Volstead Act which provided for the federal enforcement of Prohibition. Originally Prohibition agents worked in a unit designated under the Bureau of Internal Revenue but was later transferred to the Justice Department in 1930

Prohibition agents destroy beer barrels at a dump in New York City, 1931. Shortly after the 18th Amendment was ratified, Congress passed the Volstead Act which provided for the federal enforcement of Prohibition. Originally Prohibition agents worked in a unit designated under the Bureau of Internal Revenue but was later transferred to the Justice Department in 1930 

Onlookers gather around the captured rum runner, Silver Spray, to watch prohibition agents pour five-gallon bottles of 'white lightning' moonshine into Virginia's Elizabeth River in 1921. The Prohibition Era, also known as a 'the noble experiment' was an attempt to improve the moral and mental hygiene of America, tackle crime, corruption and social problems while reducing the tax burden created in prisons and halfway houses. In reality, the effort was a massive failure that led to a rise in organized crime

Onlookers gather around the captured rum runner, Silver Spray, to watch prohibition agents pour five-gallon bottles of ‘white lightning’ moonshine into Virginia’s Elizabeth River in 1921. The Prohibition Era, also known as a ‘the noble experiment’ was an attempt to improve the moral and mental hygiene of America, tackle crime, corruption and social problems while reducing the tax burden created in prisons and halfway houses. In reality, the effort was a massive failure that led to a rise in organized crime

Federal agents in an undated photo destroy a bar under the Volstead Act which gave them legal authority to enforce Prohibition. According to the Washington Post, 1,500 agents were ready to raid on the first day of Prohibition, January 17, 1920

Federal agents in an undated photo destroy a bar under the Volstead Act which gave them legal authority to enforce Prohibition. According to the Washington Post, 1,500 agents were ready to raid on the first day of Prohibition, January 17, 1920

Contraband beer being spilled into the streets from barrels during the prohibition era in an undated photo

Contraband beer being spilled into the streets from barrels during the prohibition era in an undated photo

The roots of Prohibition can be traced to the country’s Colonial period when whiskey was cheap and safer to drink than water, according to W J Rorabaugh’s book Prohibition: A Concise History.

Public Safety Director, Smedley 'Duckboards' Butler is seen destroying kegs of beer with an ax into the Schuylkill River

Public Safety Director, Smedley ‘Duckboards’ Butler is seen destroying kegs of beer with an ax into the Schuylkill River

By the 1820s, ‘the average adult white male drank a half pint of whiskey a day,’ he wrote, which led to crime as well as issues such as domestic violence.

In the 1800s, a feverish religious revivalism took hold of the nation and spurred several reform movements. At first there was a push to get men to drink less, but then it turned to the complete abstinence of alcohol. The Temperance Movement gained steam and by the 1850s some states and cities were ‘dry,’ meaning the sale of alcohol was prohibited. (Whereas places it was available were ‘wet.’)

With the Battle of Fort Sumter on April 12, 1861, the Civil War began and the Temperance Movement took a backseat. However, after the war ended on May 9, 1865, the campaign to make the whole country dry resumed. The Women’s Christian Temperance Union was founded in early 1870s and later on, other organizations such as Anti-Saloon League joined the effort to ban alcohol. Towards the end of the century, lobbying put a constitutional amendment in front of lawmakers.

The fight took years but was paying off with more than 20 states passing some sort of legislation curtailing alcohol by 1916. The United States entered World War I on April 6, 1917, but the crusade continued. In January 1919, Congress ratified the 18th Amendment that stated the ‘manufacture, sale, or transportation of intoxicating liquors’ was prohibited.

Bottles of Scotch whiskey smuggled in hollowed-out loaves of bread are pictured above in 1924. Statistics show that alcohol-related deaths from cirrhosis declined during Prohibition, as well as public inebriation arrests but very few statistics measure the extensive and creative means bootleggers used to evade the law

Bottles of Scotch whiskey smuggled in hollowed-out loaves of bread are pictured above in 1924. Statistics show that alcohol-related deaths from cirrhosis declined during Prohibition, as well as public inebriation arrests but very few statistics measure the extensive and creative means bootleggers used to evade the law

Prohibition authorities unload cases of whiskey crates labeled as green tomatoes from a refrigerator car in the Washington yards in May, 1929.  The grower's express cargo train was en route from Florida to New Jersey

Prohibition authorities unload cases of whiskey crates labeled as green tomatoes from a refrigerator car in the Washington yards in May, 1929.  The grower’s express cargo train was en route from Florida to New Jersey

A patrol wagon filled with confiscated moonshine sits next to a wrecked car of bootleggers in Washington DC, 1922. Prohibition greatly expanded federal law enforcement powers and turned millions of Americans into outlaws. 'Bathtub gin' refers to the low quality gin that was homemade and distilled in bathtubs during Prohibition. According to Tom Sandham's 'World's Best Cocktails,' many of the popular mixed gin drinks today were invented during Prohibition to mask the unpleasant taste of rudimentary, low quality alcohol

A patrol wagon filled with confiscated moonshine sits next to a wrecked car of bootleggers in Washington DC, 1922. Prohibition greatly expanded federal law enforcement powers and turned millions of Americans into outlaws. ‘Bathtub gin’ refers to the low quality gin that was homemade and distilled in bathtubs during Prohibition. According to Tom Sandham’s ‘World’s Best Cocktails,’ many of the popular mixed gin drinks today were invented during Prohibition to mask the unpleasant taste of rudimentary, low quality alcohol 

Rae Samuels holds the last bottle of beer that was distilled before prohibition went into effect in Chicago. The bottle of Schlitz was insured for $25,000 (equivalent to $321,000 in today's money)

Rae Samuels holds the last bottle of beer that was distilled before prohibition went into effect in Chicago. The bottle of Schlitz was insured for $25,000 (equivalent to $321,000 in today’s money)

In order to regulate and enforce the amendment, which took effect in January 1920, Congress then passed the National Prohibition Act. President Woodrow Wilson vetoed what became known as the Volstead Act but Congress overrode him. The Volstead Act defined ‘intoxicating liquor’ as a drink that had more than .5 percent alcohol, which surprised many Prohibition supporters for its low limit, according to Constitution Daily.

Initially there was support for the 18th Amendment, according to Rorabaugh’s book Prohibition: A Concise History, and he wrote that alcohol consumption did fall.

But what was once the purview of legitimate businesses was now in the hands of bootleggers and gangsters. It was a windfall for the mob who hiked up prices.

‘A political and social earthquake – Prohibition – would revolutionize crime in America… Combined with the other upheaval – the triumph of Fascism in Italy – the two events would significantly alter the Mafia’s role in America and transform it into the nation’s preeminent criminal organization,’ according to Selwyn Raab’s 2005 book, Five Families: The Rise, Decline, and Resurgence of America’s Most Powerful Mafia Empires.

Gangs fought for control over the illicit trade and the violence that ensued ‘turned many Americans against Prohibition,’ Rorabaugh wrote.

One of the most notorious crime figures of the era was Al Capone, who ran Chicago and raked in the dough, with some estimating his earned at $100 million a year, which would be $1.3 billion today.

While it was never proven, many thought that Capone set up what would become known as the Saint Valentine’s Day Massacre. The morning of February 14, 1929, men wearing police uniforms lined up members of George ‘Bugs’ Moran’s gang and shot them. Capone wanted Chicago to himself and so allegedly ordered the hit on his rival Moran, who reportedly was stealing some of his liquor shipments.

The massacre shook the nation. Coupled with the stock market crash in October 1929 that led to the Great Depression, many Americans wanted the choice to drink alcohol once again. People protested with signs that stated ‘We want beer’ and that called for repealing the 18th Amendment.

By the 1932 presidential election, incumbent Herbert Hoover faced Franklin Delano Roosevelt, then the governor of New York. Roosevelt promised to repeal the amendment and beat Hoover soundly. He wasted no time once he took office and on March 22, 1933, he signed the Beer and Wine Revenue Act, which also allowed the government to levy a tax on alcohol. Prohibition officially ended when the 21st Amendment was ratified on December 5, 1933.

Two Coast Guards stand on a speed boat packed with 700 cases of illegal liquor that they seized as it was being unloaded in Newburyport, Massachusetts. The bootleggers fled the boat as the Guards pursued them from outside the harbor and into the Merrimack River

Two Coast Guards stand on a speed boat packed with 700 cases of illegal liquor that they seized as it was being unloaded in Newburyport, Massachusetts. The bootleggers fled the boat as the Guards pursued them from outside the harbor and into the Merrimack River

Four Coast Guards inspect confiscated barrels of hooch from an organized crime rum-runner boat

Four Coast Guards inspect confiscated barrels of hooch from an organized crime rum-runner boat

A rum runner stands on lookout on the Canadian side of the Detroit River to signal to the American side when the coast is clear of patrolling prohibition agents. His small motorboat loaded with illegal liquor, is pictured in the foreground beneath pilings. The federal government along with local authorities spent huge sums on enforcement yet never allocated enough resources to do the job effectively. Bootleggers used their newfound fortune to bribe judges, politicians and law enforcement officers to look the other way

A rum runner stands on lookout on the Canadian side of the Detroit River to signal to the American side when the coast is clear of patrolling prohibition agents. His small motorboat loaded with illegal liquor, is pictured in the foreground beneath pilings. The federal government along with local authorities spent huge sums on enforcement yet never allocated enough resources to do the job effectively. Bootleggers used their newfound fortune to bribe judges, politicians and law enforcement officers to look the other way

Massive quantities of Canadian beer and whisky were transported over the border in cars that drive across the Detroit River. The rum-runners always drove with one door open so they could easily jump out if their vehicle broke through the ice

A bootlegger is caught dumping his load of illegal alcohol over the side of his boat as federal agents in hot pursuit close in

Massive quantities of Canadian beer and whisky were transported over the border in cars that drive across the Detroit River. The rum-runners always drove with one door open so they could easily jump out if their vehicle broke through the ice (left). Similarly, a bootlegger on the Canadian border (right) is caught dumping his load of illegal alcohol over the side of his boat as federal agents in hot pursuit close in 

A group of men are seen destroying bottles of whiskey and beer in 1923. The Temperance Movement began locally among evangelical reform groups in the United States during the 1840s but took a backseat during the Civil War. However, by 1916, more than 20 states had passed legislation that curtailed alcohol and the stage was set for a federal ban

A group of men are seen destroying bottles of whiskey and beer in 1923. The Temperance Movement began locally among evangelical reform groups in the United States during the 1840s but took a backseat during the Civil War. However, by 1916, more than 20 states had passed legislation that curtailed alcohol and the stage was set for a federal ban 

Carrie Nation, an outspoken temperance leader is pictured wielding her hatchet and bible in 1910. Nation became a household name after vandalizing multiple saloons with her ax. She described herself as 'a bulldog running along at the feet of Jesus, barking at what He doesn't like' and said that she was divinely ordered to advocate for temperance by destroying bars

Carrie Nation, an outspoken temperance leader is pictured wielding her hatchet and bible in 1910. Nation became a household name after vandalizing multiple saloons with her ax. She described herself as ‘a bulldog running along at the feet of Jesus, barking at what He doesn’t like’ and said that she was divinely ordered to advocate for temperance by destroying bars

Federal prohibition agents raid a large-scale bootlegging operation in Griffith, Georgia, 1937; breaking apart the equipment by hand

Federal prohibition agents raid a large-scale bootlegging operation in Griffith, Georgia, 1937; breaking apart the equipment by hand

The unintended consequence of Prohibition was the rise in organized crime. Bootlegging and the illicit sale of alcohol proved to be a lucrative business for mobsters that expanded to other regions to create an intricate transportation and shipping network that reached across the entire United States. New York gangsters Ed Diamond, Jack Diamond, Fatty Walsh and Charles "Lucky" Luciano are pictured in 1930

The unintended consequence of Prohibition was the rise in organized crime. Bootlegging and the illicit sale of alcohol proved to be a lucrative business for mobsters that expanded to other regions to create an intricate transportation and shipping network that reached across the entire United States. New York gangsters Ed Diamond, Jack Diamond, Fatty Walsh and Charles ‘Lucky’ Luciano are pictured in 1930

Al Capone (right) is pictured watching a football game between Notre Dame and Northwestern University in 1931. Capone earned tens of millions of dollars controlling all the speakeasies in the South Side of Chicago. Gangland violence came to a head in 1929 at the infamous Valentine's Day Massacre that saw seven members of a rival gang belonging to George 'Bugs' Moran executed

Al Capone (right) is pictured watching a football game between Notre Dame and Northwestern University in 1931. Capone earned tens of millions of dollars controlling all the speakeasies in the South Side of Chicago. Gangland violence came to a head in 1929 at the infamous Valentine’s Day Massacre that saw seven members of a rival gang belonging to George ‘Bugs’ Moran executed 

A bystander points to a bullet hole in a wrecked speakeasy that existed in midtown Manhattan's Hotel Victoria. Another person is seen seated in the chair where small-time gambler, Louis Levine (alias Louis Taylor or 'Crooked Neck Louie') was shot earlier that day by three gunmen on December 31, 1931

A bystander points to a bullet hole in a wrecked speakeasy that existed in midtown Manhattan’s Hotel Victoria. Another person is seen seated in the chair where small-time gambler, Louis Levine (alias Louis Taylor or ‘Crooked Neck Louie’) was shot earlier that day by three gunmen on December 31, 1931

Workmen unload crates of beer stacked at a New York brewery shortly after the repeal of prohibition which was ratified with the 21st Amendment on December 5, 1933. It was President Franklin Roosevelt's first order of office after he was elected in a landslide victory against Prohibition-supporting Herbert Hoover

Workmen unload crates of beer stacked at a New York brewery shortly after the repeal of prohibition which was ratified with the 21st Amendment on December 5, 1933. It was President Franklin Roosevelt’s first order of office after he was elected in a landslide victory against Prohibition-supporting Herbert Hoover   

An image from January 1920 shows patrons and staff of McSorley’s Old Ale House shortly before the beginning of Prohibition when it turned into an underground speakeasy. The saloon, which still operates to this day, is located in Manhattan’s East-Village, and is considered New York City’s oldest bar

An image from January 1920 shows patrons and staff of McSorley’s Old Ale House shortly before the beginning of Prohibition when it turned into an underground speakeasy. The saloon, which still operates to this day, is located in Manhattan’s East-Village, and is considered New York City’s oldest bar

Prohibition protesters parade in a car emblazoned with signs and flags calling for the repeal of the 18th Amendment. The repeal movement began to gain momentum with the Association Against the Prohibition Amendment that was backed by John D Rockefeller, Jr and the Du Pont family. Repeal supporters argued that legalizing the sale of alcohol would create jobs, bring in tax revenue and weaken organized crime

Prohibition protesters parade in a car emblazoned with signs and flags calling for the repeal of the 18th Amendment. The repeal movement began to gain momentum with the Association Against the Prohibition Amendment that was backed by John D Rockefeller, Jr and the Du Pont family. Repeal supporters argued that legalizing the sale of alcohol would create jobs, bring in tax revenue and weaken organized crime

A woman poses with a sign on the back wheel of her car supporting the repeal of the 18th Amendment in 1927. Just as women played an important role in passing the 18th Amendment, they also played an important part in its repeal, primarily through the efforts of Pauline Sabine, a Morton Salt Company heiress who created the Women's Organization for National Prohibition. Sabine believed that the law made hypocrites out of bootlegging Americans who preached their respect for the rule of law

A woman poses with a sign on the back wheel of her car supporting the repeal of the 18th Amendment in 1927. Just as women played an important role in passing the 18th Amendment, they also played an important part in its repeal, primarily through the efforts of Pauline Sabine, a Morton Salt Company heiress who created the Women’s Organization for National Prohibition. Sabine believed that the law made hypocrites out of bootlegging Americans who preached their respect for the rule of law

People of New York celebrate the end of the Prohibition on its last day with beer on December 5, 1933

People of New York celebrate the end of the Prohibition on its last day with beer on December 5, 1933 

A group of young women at the bar on board the luxury liner SS Manhattan, off New York on December 5, 1933. Before 21st Amendment was passed, the ship's bar was required to close 12 miles out to sea in international waters

A group of young women at the bar on board the luxury liner SS Manhattan, off New York on December 5, 1933. Before 21st Amendment was passed, the ship’s bar was required to close 12 miles out to sea in international waters 

For over 12 years, there was an effective ban on alcohol throughout the country, starting on January 17, 1920 when the 18th Amendment went into effect. But by the time Franklin D Roosevelt took office, much of the country was ready to imbibe once again. When he signed the Beer and Wine Revenue Act on March 22, 1933, it was to the elation of many. That act went into effect on April 7 and the 18th Amendment was officially repealed on December 5, 1933. Above, a round of drinks on the house at a Chicago bar to celebrate

For over 12 years, there was an effective ban on alcohol throughout the country, starting on January 17, 1920 when the 18th Amendment went into effect. But by the time Franklin D Roosevelt took office, much of the country was ready to imbibe once again. When he signed the Beer and Wine Revenue Act on March 22, 1933, it was to the elation of many. That act went into effect on April 7 and the 18th Amendment was officially repealed on December 5, 1933. Above, a round of drinks on the house at a Chicago bar to celebrate

During the 1920s, women sought more freedom with many adopting a ‘flapper’ style of dress and sporting shorter haircuts. An interesting decade between the two World Wars, people still drank at smoky speakeasies that had one had to know the password to enter. F Scott Fitzgerald’s 1925 classic The Great Gatsby fictionally chronicles the era with a man, who fought in World War I, who tries to win back his rich sweetheart by becoming a bootlegger. Above, people cheers to the end of Prohibition

During the 1920s, women sought more freedom with many adopting a ‘flapper’ style of dress and sporting shorter haircuts. An interesting decade between the two World Wars, people still drank at smoky speakeasies that had one had to know the password to enter. F Scott Fitzgerald’s 1925 classic The Great Gatsby fictionally chronicles the era with a man, who fought in World War I, who tries to win back his rich sweetheart by becoming a bootlegger. Above, people cheers to the end of Prohibition

The rise of gangsters and violence, the difficulty of enforcing Prohibition, and the Great Depression turned many Americans against the 18th Amendment. Many protested and pushed for its repeal, which happened at the end of 1933 with the ratification of the 21st Amendment. Above, drinks are poured in celebration as Prohibition finally comes to an end

The rise of gangsters and violence, the difficulty of enforcing Prohibition, and the Great Depression turned many Americans against the 18th Amendment. Many protested and pushed for its repeal, which happened at the end of 1933 with the ratification of the 21st Amendment. Above, drinks are poured in celebration as Prohibition finally comes to an end

While Prohibition ended over 85 years ago, aspects of the era still remain today. For instance, many cocktails are said to have been created during that time in order to bathtub gin and moonshine more palatable. Faux speakeasies, password included, are popular bars in many cities. According to new federal data, Americans’ love affair with libations has not abated with alcohol consumption hitting a 30-year high. Above, a woman holds beer while sitting on barrels

While Prohibition ended over 85 years ago, aspects of the era still remain today. For instance, many cocktails are said to have been created during that time in order to bathtub gin and moonshine more palatable. Faux speakeasies, password included, are popular bars in many cities. According to new federal data, Americans’ love affair with libations has not abated with alcohol consumption hitting a 30-year high. Above, a woman holds beer while sitting on barrels 

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