Description
The thirteen years of Prohibition in the United States were brought on by legislation passed by Woodrow Wilson in 1917. However, the ban on the sale and manufacture of alcohol would not go into effect until July 1, 1919. This iconic image shows a crowded bar in New York City on the eve of Prohibition and illustrates the popularity of bars and social spaces in the early portions of the twentieth century. Alcohol held significant cultural importance for many Americans who were immigrants themselves or descendants of immigrants from Ireland, Germany, Scandinavia, and Western Europe. These cultures brought their traditions and recipes for beer, wine, and spirits and continued traditional methods for brewing and distillation.Bars and saloons across the nation had become important spaces where lively discussions and social interactions brought groups together in venues that were established largely based on cultural lines. Though the consumption of alcohol was technically illegal, Prohibition led to the establishment of Speakeasies and alcohol that was smuggled or manufactured illegally. So-called bootleggers made spirits in rural locations and devised elaborate systems for getting moonshine to urban areas where desire remained considerably high. The ratification of the Twenty-First Amendment officially ended Prohibition on December 5, 1933.This iconic image remains an enduring symbol of America's population of immigrants and their distinct cultures and traditions. This image immediately transports the viewer back in time and creates an indelible bond between the past and present. Its unique angle gives the viewer a sense of being in the moment themselves. Overall Size: 8" H x 10" W x 0.01" D
