National Constitution Center - Centuries of Citizenship - Ratification of the Twenty-First Amendment ends Prohibition

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1931-1946: We meet crisis in the Depression, and again in World War II

December 5, 1933
Ratification of the Twenty-First Amendment ends Prohibition

Man celebrating the end of prohibition

Image Donated by Corbis - Bettmann

“The 18th article of amendment to the Constitution of the United States is hereby repealed.”
— 21st Amendment

The 18th Amendment, and the National Prohibition Act that followed, were meant to create a safe, “dry” nation. Instead, we have more crime and need more police than before!

Many people just kept drinking—and breaking the law.

We’ve never repealed an amendment before, but today we passed the 21st Amendment to get rid of the 18th.

The era of Prohibition is over.

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