December 5th: Repeal Day - A True American Holiday
Most people will look for any reason or holiday to get together with friends and have a few drinks. This can be partially attributed to most employers relinquishing workers of their duties for a long weekend. This time off gives men and women the freedom to spend the day doing things like imbibing one or ten holiday themed libations, and then launching explosives hundreds of feet into the air.
Every long weekend and holiday, as we celebrate rich American history with our drinks in hand, we rarely take notice of the day that made it possible to do so, or at least do so freely.
December 5th, 1933 represents the date that freedom triumphed over tyranny, and the 13 year mistake that was Prohibition ended. Unlike most people on New Years day, America spent the previous 13 years sober making it hard to sweep the distasteful events that transpired during this time under a rug and forget about it (or sneak out the back door and hope nobody ever brings it up again.)
December 5th this year falls on this coming Sunday and is the 77th anniversary of the day that the last state needed to satisfy a three quarters majority (and ironically Utah) voted in favor of the 21st amendment, and the 18th amendment banning the sale, transportation and manufacturing of alcoholic beverages was repealed.
“Repeal Day” represents an American holiday that is completely logical and appropriate to celebrate by having a few drinks. By rejoicing with your favorite beverages you will inherently be paying homage to your right to do so. In the words Franklin D Roosevelt himself in the aftermath of prohibition: “What America needs now is a drink.”
So this Sunday raise your glasses and toast, to freedom.