Happy Birthday, 21st Amendment

Mike in the office (who should read this blog more often, hint hint) reminds me that today is the 75th anniversary of the ratification of the 21st Amendment. The 21st, of course, overturned Prohibition, which had been enacted in the 18th amendment a dozen or so years earlier.

For non-American readers, this amendment is a fantastic example of why the US Constitution has worked so well. Firstly, the language itself is very clear; there's no misunderstanding what's going on here:

Section 1. The eighteenth article of amendment to the Constitution of the United States is hereby repealed.

Section 2. The transportation or importation into any State, Territory, or possession of the United States for delivery or use therein of intoxicating liquors, in violation of the laws thereof, is hereby prohibited.

Section 3. This article shall be inoperative unless it shall have been ratified as an amendment to the Constitution by conventions in the several States, as provided in the Constitution, within seven years from the date of the submission hereof to the States by the Congress.

You can't miss what's happening here, even if you're not a lawyer.

Secondly, as with every amendment other than the 18th, this one is a clear advancement of personal liberty. While this country certainly has its warts, the record as written in the Constitution is one of an almost continual advancement of freedom.

Thirdly (and very internationally), it's a simply outstanding excuse for a party. Readers in the Washington D.C. area are encouraged to seek out the bar named "The Twenty First Amendment", which was quite a fun place 25 years ago. On today, it should be two drink minimum.