Pullout

Timeline: Remembrance of Booze Laws Past

by Jill Wasberg

1889: The people of Washington state vote against the prohibition of booze manufacturing, sale, and use.

1914: Washington voters reverse themselves; statewide prohibition passes. No booze outside the home.

1917: Prohibition is amended by the "Bone Dry Law," which allows clergymen, priests, and rabbis to carry alcohol for religious purposes.

1920: National prohibition goes into effect when the 18th amendment becomes part of the U.S. Constitution.

1920-1933: Consumption of liquor increases dramatically, the liquor industry is taken over by the mob, alcohol tax revenues vanish.

1933: The 21st Amendment goes into effect, repealing national prohibition; liquor control is returned to the states. Washington's governor appoints an advisory committee to protect people from the evils of alcohol. Copying a system used in British Columbia, Canada, the state adopts a "monopoly" system of liquor control.

1934: The Washington State Liquor Control Board is born.

1953: The board allows Indians to purchase alcohol legally.

1966: Washington residents are allowed to buy booze in bars on Sundays, during restricted hours of sale.

1969: Sweeping reforms: The board allows people to drink while standing, allows women to enter cocktail lounges, and legalizes the sale of draft beer at arenas and race tracks.

1971: The board condones the purchase of alcohol on election days.

1976: Liquor ads can now refer to liquor.

1981: The word "saloon" is allowed in booze ads.

1983: The board allows belly-dancing in bars, as long as the dancer remains six feet from patrons. The board gives Indians permission to sell liquor.

1986: In a giant step forward, the board decriminalizes swearing while drinking.

1989: The board decides that all booze containers sold in Washington state must be recyclable or biodegradable.

1992: The board prohibits people from drinking alcohol and dancing, unless they have a permit (issued by the board). The public is still allowed to drink and cuss without a permit. Fuck, yeah!--