Video: 'Prohibition in the United States: National Ban of Alcohol'

(Saturday, January 17, 1920, 12:01 a.m. EST) — The prohibition of “intoxicating liquors” in the United States began early this morning as the Eighteenth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution took effect, one year to the day after its ratification.

This rang in the era of bootleg liquor when people whispered passwords through speak-easy doors, flappers ruled the dance floor and mobsters like Al Capone made millions from a thirsty public.

The Eighteenth Amendment would be repealed by the Twenty-first Amendment on December 5, 1933.