Overview

Instituted by the Eighteenth Amendmentof the Constitution, prohibition in the United States created severe health hazards for those who consumed bootlegged alcohol. Bootleggers often used toxic chemicals and industrial-grade alcohol to brew alcoholic drinks, which often led to cases of blindness and brain damage in its consumers.

Historical Perspective

Following significant pressure on lawmakers as a result of the temperance movement, the United States Senate proposed the Eighteenth Amendment on December 18, 1917. The 18th Amendment was certified as ratified on January 16, 1919, having been approved by 36 states, and went into effect on January 16, 1920.

The Eighteenth Amendment was repealed with ratification of the Twenty-first Amendment, on December 5, 1933.