Should Dec. 5 be Prohibition Repeal Day?

Portion of cartoon from a Salem Welfare League broadside opposing prohibition, Oregon State Library subject vertical files on prohibition, 1913, from Oregon State Archives Web site.

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Story Published: Dec 4, 2008 at 11:18 AM PST

By Elissa Harrington KVAL News and KVAL Web Staff

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EUGENE, Ore - A Eugene bartender is raising his glass to celebrate 75 years since the end of prohibition. Now he wants the rest of the nation to join in.

Jeffrey Morgenthaler is the bar manager of Bel Ami in South Eugene. He calls bartending an art and can't imagine everyday American life without it.

"The responsible consumption of alcohol really is a sort of sacred social custom," says Morgenthaler.

The reality - every day life was without it. In 1920, prohibition took effect. Morgenthaler calls it one of our nation's dark times.

Did you know?

Congress passed the 21st Amendment repealing prohibition on Feb. 20, 1933.

The amendment wasn't ratified until Dec. 5, 1933, when the final three holdouts -- Ohio, Pennsylvania and Utah -- ratified the amendment.

Oregon ratified the repeal of prohibition on Aug. 7, 1933, the 17th state to support the amendment.

Oregonians waited longer for a legal drink than some other Americans: the state banned the consumption of alcohol in 1916. | MORE

"The criminalization of alcohol led not only to criminal delinquency and organized crime but also to a loss of the traditions associated with the production, preparation, and consumption of alcohol."

The drinking ban was lifted 75 years ago as of this Friday.

For several years, Morgenthaler has taken to his Web site to try and make "Prohibition Repeal Day" a nationally recognized day.

"We're not looking for a national holiday," says Morgenthaler. "But we're looking for a day when people can recognize their craft distillers."

The main reasons to celebrate? Morgenthaler says alcoholic recipes and responsibilites have come a long way in 75 years. He also says it would remind Americans of their freedoms. Plus the timing is perfect. Dec. 5 falls right around the holidays.

Whether or not this idea gains national recognition, Morgenthaler hopes Friday, Dec. 5, many people will celebrate with a well made drink.

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