In Akron, Ohio, Bill Wilson and Dr. Robert Smith, two recovering alcoholics, founded Alcoholics Anonymous (A.A.), a 12-step rehabilitation program that would eventually help countless
people cope with alcoholism.

Based on psychological techniques that have long been used
in suppressing certain personality traits, members of the strictly anonymous organization control their disease through guided
group discussion and confession.

Dr. Robert Smith (1879 – 1950) and Bill Wilson (1895 – 1971)

The 18th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, a progressive effort
to enforce social reform via expanded federal power and popularly known as Prohibition, was ratified on this day in history, Jan. 16,
1919. 

The amendment stated, "The manufacture, sale, or transportation
of intoxicating liquors within, the importation thereof into, or the exportation thereof from the United States and all the territory
subject to the jurisdiction thereof for beverage purposes is
hereby prohibited.”  

Prohibition ended with the ratification of the Twenty-first
Amendment, which repealed the Eighteenth Amendment
on December 5, 1933.

The 18th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, prohibiting the “manufacture, sale, or transportation of intoxicating liquors for
beverage purposes,” was ratified by the requisite number of
states on January 16, 1919.

The movement for the prohibition of alcohol began in the early
19th century, when Americans concerned about the adverse
effects of drinking began forming temperance societies. By the
late 19th century, these groups had become a powerful political
force, campaigning on the state level and calling for total national abstinence. In December 1917, the 18th Amendment, also known
as the Prohibition Amendment, was passed by Congress and
sent to the states for ratification.

The Orange County (California) Sheriff dumping bootleg alcohol,
circa 1925.