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Raise a glass and join us in celebrating Legal Drinking Age Day on July 21! This special day commemorates the adoption of the National Minimum Drinking Age Act of 1984, which set the legal drinking age at 21 in all states. Since then, it's become an occasion to celebrate responsible drinking and to acknowledge those who are old enough to legally enjoy alcoholic beverages. So grab your favorite drink, invite some friends over, and let's raise a toast!
<div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1920</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Prohibition Era Begins</div><div class='timeline-text'>In 1920, the 18th Amendment prohibited the production, sale, and transportation of alcoholic beverages in the United States.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1933</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>End of Prohibition</div><div class='timeline-text'>The 21st Amendment was ratified in 1933, effectively repealing the prohibition. Legality of alcohol consumption resurfaces, states begin setting their own drinking age laws.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1971</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Voting Age Lowered</div><div class='timeline-text'>The 26th Amendment lowers the voting age to 18. Many states subsequently reduce their drinking ages to match, as young adults argue "old enough to vote, old enough to drink".</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1984</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Drinking Age Set to 21</div><div class='timeline-text'>President Ronald Reagan signs the National Minimum Drinking Age Act, which required all states to raise their minimum age for purchase and public possession of alcohol to 21.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>2000s</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Continuing Debate</div><div class='timeline-text'>Throughout the 2000s, debates continue about lowering the drinking age, citing comparisons to other countries with lower minimum ages, but no changes are implemented.</div></div></div>
<div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>1</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Visit a brewery</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Take a tour and sample some of the best beers around. Learn about the brewing process, taste some excellent craft beers, and get a souvenir glass.</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>2</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Host a tasting party</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Gather friends to try out different types of beer or wine and discuss your favorites. You can even make it a game - who can identify each one correctly?</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>3</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Take a mixology class</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Learn how to create delicious cocktails like an expert bartender. Get creative with classic recipes, or dream up something new!</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>4</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Try out a new bar</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Research your city’s local watering holes and find one that looks interesting. Order something unique off the menu or ask the bartender for their signature drink.</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>5</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Create your own drink</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Take charge and come up with your very own boozy concoction. Who knows, maybe you’ll invent the next big thing? Don’t forget to name it first.</p></div></div>
<div id='' class='whywelove-item'><div id='' class='whywelove-letter-cont'><div class='whywelove-letter'>A</div></div><div id='why-we-love-main-cont'><h3 id='' class='whywelove-title'>Keeps young people safe</h3><p id='' class='whywelove-text'>Having a legal drinking age serves as a reminder for young people to wait until they are of the legal age to consume alcohol. Not only is this important for public safety, but it ensures that those who are under 21 don't put themselves at risk for various health and social consequences related to alcohol consumption.</p></div></div><div id='' class='whywelove-item'><div id='' class='whywelove-letter-cont'><div class='whywelove-letter'>B</div></div><div id='why-we-love-main-cont'><h3 id='' class='whywelove-title'>Helps prevent underage drinking</h3><p id='' class='whywelove-text'>Having a legal drinking age also serves as a deterrent to underage drinking. By making it illegal for anyone under 21 to buy or consume alcohol, it helps discourage those under that age from engaging in behavior that can be dangerous or even deadly.</p></div></div><div id='' class='whywelove-item'><div id='' class='whywelove-letter-cont'><div class='whywelove-letter'>C</div></div><div id='why-we-love-main-cont'><h3 id='' class='whywelove-title'>Sets societal expectations and norms</h3><p id='' class='whywelove-text'>The legal drinking age also sets societal expectations and norms around our culture of alcohol consumption. Having a law in place sends a message that consuming alcohol responsibly is expected of citizens once they reach the legal age, and reinforces respect for the law and encourages responsible decision making.</p></div></div>
<div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>1</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>The U.S. has one of the highest legal drinking ages in the world</h3><p class='facts-content'>Most countries around the globe set their legal drinking age at 18 or 19. Only a few have their drinking age set at 21 including the U.S., Indonesia, and Micronesia to name a few.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>2</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>Not all states immediately complied with the 1984 Act</h3><p class='facts-content'>When the National Minimum Drinking Age Act was passed, several states were slow to raise their drinking age to 21. It wasn't until 1988 that all 50 states had complied.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>3</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>Some states have family member or location exceptions to drinking age law</h3><p class='facts-content'>Although the U.S. law prohibits under-21s from buying alcohol, some states have exceptions for consumption which can occur on private premises and with parental consent and/or presence.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>4</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>In US history, some states never had under 21 drinking ages</h3><p class='facts-content'>Before the 1984 Act, the legal drinking age in many states, such as New York and Florida, was 18. Intended to coincide with the age of majority, it was believed that those who could vote and serve in the military should also be allowed to drink.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>5</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>There's a term for ordering alcohol for minors</h3><p class='facts-content'>The activity of people of legal age buying alcoholic drinks for minors is known as a "shoulder tap," and in many states,it itself is a legal offense with potential fines and community service.</p></div></div>
Legal Drinking Age Day is celebrated on July 21 every year. In 2024 Legal Drinking Age Day will occur on a Sunday.
2023
Jul 21
Friday
2024
Jul 21
Sunday
2025
Jul 21
Monday
2026
Jul 21
Tuesday
2027
Jul 21
Wednesday
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