October 28, 1919 - the Volstead Act passed.

October 28, on this day in history in 1919 the Volstead Act was passed. The Volstead act was passed to push the implementation of the 18th amendment. Andrew J. Volstead had the job of sponsoring the legislation, but Wayne Wheeler was the author of the bill. Prohibition was a direct result from the Volstead act.[1] It was titled "An act to prohibit intoxicating beverages, and to regulate the manufacture, production, use, and sale of high-proof spirits for other than beverage purposes, and to insure an ample supply of alcohol and promote its use in scientific research and in the development of fuel, dye, and other lawful industries."[2] The Volstead act was vetoed by Woodrow Wilson but on that same day congress over rode the veto to pass the bill. [3]

The Volstead act was an act that showed the times in America was changing. The progressive movement was in full swing during this time and the Temperance movement within it was calling for reformative legislation on alcohol laws.[4] The Volstead Act was important because not only did it show the power of the American government, by Congress overriding a Presidential veto, but it lead to an amendment to the United States constitution, that was later repealed. The constitutional amendment that was passed because of this act, the 18th, was later repealed by the 21st, showing the people that the country was able to regulate itself and fix the mistakes they made. The act was initially received greatly by the people, until the realized what they were giving up and effectively made criminals of almost the entirety of the United States population, including members of congress and the president.[5] The Volstead Act was something that will go down in history as what seemed like a good idea on paper, but that would never really pan out in reality.

- Justyn Z. and Sam K.




[1] Hanson, David J. "The Volstead Act." Alcohol Problems and Solutions. http://www2.potsdam.edu/hansondj/Controversies/Volstead-Act.html#.UmmtYqWTOfQ (accessed October 25, 2013).
[2] Hanson, David J.
[3] Hanson, David J.
[4] Hanson, David J.
[5] Hanson, David J.