On October 28, 1919, Congress passed the National Prohibition Enforcement Act, known as the Volstead Act, over President Woodrow Wilson’s veto. The law provided enforcement rules for the 18th Amendment, which banned the manufacture, sale, and transport of alcoholic beverages. It defined what counted as “intoxicating liquors” and set penalties for violations. The act led to the closure of legal breweries, wineries, and saloons across the country. It also encouraged the growth of illegal production, smuggling, and organized crime. Public dissatisfaction with Prohibition grew, and the policy ended in 1933 with the 21st Amendment.
