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.

A dramatic battle in the Tennessee House of Representatives ends with
the state ratifying the 19th Amendment to the United States Constitution
on August 18, 1920. After decades of struggle and protest by suffragettes
across the country, the decisive vote was cast by a young representative
who reputedly changed his vote after receiving a note from his mother.

Following its ratification by the necessary three-quarters of U.S.
states, the 14th Amendment, guaranteeing to African Americans citizenship and all its privileges, is officially adopted into the U.S. Constitution on this day in 1868.

Secretary of State William Seward certified adoption of the 14th Amendment to the Constitution. Photo courtesy of the Library
of Congress.