Editor’s note: This story was originally published on Dec. 5, 2024.

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

On Dec. 5, 1933, national Prohibition came to an end as Utah became the 36th state to ratify the 21st Amendment to the Constitution, repealing the 18th Amendment.

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

History notes 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 l

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