Prohibition ended in 1933; Surprisingly, Utah is in the middle – Deseret News

A look back at local, national and world events in the Deseret News archives.

On December 5, 1933, national Prohibition ended when Utah became the 36th state to ratify the 21st Amendment, thereby repealing the 18th Amendment.

In 1917, Utah became the 24th state to introduce statewide alcohol restrictions. Then, on January 16, 1919, the 18th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution was ratified, ushering in the nationwide prohibition of “intoxicating liquors” and ushering in a most unusual era in American history.

History shows that at the turn of the 20th century—nearly two decades before Congress ratified the 18th Amendment—about a quarter of the American population lived in “dry” communities where the sale of alcohol was prohibited.

Although many Utahns supported prohibition much earlier, in 1917 Utah became the 24th state to impose statewide alcohol restrictions. Statewide laws had been passed before, but some feared that prohibition laws could reignite dissent between Latter-day Saints and those outside the church.

It was Jewish Democrat and newly elected Utah governor Simon Bamberger who ultimately enacted the statewide ban. Bamberger was a successful businessman who opened the Lagoon amusement park in Utah. In fact, Bamberger had voluntarily stopped selling alcohol at Lagoon.

But on December 5, 1933, at 3:33 p.m., the Utah Constitutional Convention unanimously approved the 21st Amendment, which repealed the 18th Amendment. Utah became the 36th and decisive state to vote to repeal the statewide ban, ending the country’s dry era 13 years after it began.

As one can imagine, Utah’s ratification vote was watched with great interest throughout the United States. Some saw an end to Prohibition as an end to gangsters, speakeasies and other illegal activities.

Here are some stories from the Deseret News archives about Prohibition in Utah, the end of that era, and other points of interest in Utah history:

“5 Surprising Facts About Prohibition in Utah”

“’Prohibition’ offers a complex look at a turbulent time”

“Repealing Prohibition was the end of an era in Utah.”

“House recognizes Utah’s role in repeal of Prohibition.”

“Utah city votes to keep alcohol ban despite influx of tourists”

“The first ‘mockers’ violated Prohibition”

“About Utah: A Toast to Utah’s ‘Bizarre’ Liquor Laws”

“George F. Will: Prohibition taught valuable lessons about government interference”