Here's to 21!
Today is "National Repeal Day"! On this day, December 5, in 1933 the 21st Amendment of the Constitution of the United States of America was ratified, which repealed the 18th Amendment. The 18th Amendment established the Prohibition (of alcohol), which began on January 16, 1919. For nearly 15 years alcohol was illegal for social consumption in the U.S.A., except when legally prescribed by a doctor for medicinal purposes.
If you think about it, medicine 100 years ago was much different than it is today. Alcohol was probably a very effective treatment for anxiety at the time (there was no Prozac or Xanax back then). The Great War (World War One) ended only on November 11, 1918. I'm not certain if there was a term for PTSD (post traumatic stress syndrome) in the parlance of that time. "Shell-shocked" may be the equivalent. Alcohol was used to calm those who had seen the horrors of the trench warfare in Europe. A great article I found on Google regarding the distilleries that were allowed to produce whiskey during this time for medicinal purposes can be found here.
Jeffrey Morgenthaler wrote a blog post in 2006 regarding great days to drink alcohol in celebration here in the U.S. Of all the celebratory days, he makes the case that "National Repeal Day" (as he termed it) is the most inclusive day for all Americans, as well as visitors to the country, to enjoy a drink together, protected as a celebratory right within the Constitution.
Many groups have been anti-alcohol, such as the Protestant Christians of the early 1900s who led the push towards Prohibition, as well as religious Muslims of today. Do you know who else is anti-alcohol? Google Ad-Sense. You can not monetize a blog if your theme is alcohol, even if it is about recipes and history rather than "promotion." Regardless, the bonds that form around discussing cocktails, and enjoying a drink are very real. Wine has been used in religious ceremonies for ages. Over the past 100 years, spirits have been consumed to signal wealth or to mark special occasions. More importantly, old friends come together to reminisce over a beer or a shot, and new bonds of friendship are strengthened over a glass of whiskey.
So before this night ends, sit down with a friend, or your spouse, and pour a glass of bourbon. If you're alone, just enjoy a drink in solitude. It's your right. And I can think of no better way to celebrate life than being around those you enjoy.
If you think about it, medicine 100 years ago was much different than it is today. Alcohol was probably a very effective treatment for anxiety at the time (there was no Prozac or Xanax back then). The Great War (World War One) ended only on November 11, 1918. I'm not certain if there was a term for PTSD (post traumatic stress syndrome) in the parlance of that time. "Shell-shocked" may be the equivalent. Alcohol was used to calm those who had seen the horrors of the trench warfare in Europe. A great article I found on Google regarding the distilleries that were allowed to produce whiskey during this time for medicinal purposes can be found here.
Jeffrey Morgenthaler wrote a blog post in 2006 regarding great days to drink alcohol in celebration here in the U.S. Of all the celebratory days, he makes the case that "National Repeal Day" (as he termed it) is the most inclusive day for all Americans, as well as visitors to the country, to enjoy a drink together, protected as a celebratory right within the Constitution.
Many groups have been anti-alcohol, such as the Protestant Christians of the early 1900s who led the push towards Prohibition, as well as religious Muslims of today. Do you know who else is anti-alcohol? Google Ad-Sense. You can not monetize a blog if your theme is alcohol, even if it is about recipes and history rather than "promotion." Regardless, the bonds that form around discussing cocktails, and enjoying a drink are very real. Wine has been used in religious ceremonies for ages. Over the past 100 years, spirits have been consumed to signal wealth or to mark special occasions. More importantly, old friends come together to reminisce over a beer or a shot, and new bonds of friendship are strengthened over a glass of whiskey.
So before this night ends, sit down with a friend, or your spouse, and pour a glass of bourbon. If you're alone, just enjoy a drink in solitude. It's your right. And I can think of no better way to celebrate life than being around those you enjoy.
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