Prohibition is a legal prevention of manufacturing, sale, and transportation of alcohol and beverages. The government passed prohibition with the intention of reducing crime and corruption, solving social problems, reducing taxes for the prisons and poorhouses, and to improve the personal hygiene of all Americans. Prohibition was ratified on January 16, 1919 but didn't go into effect until a year later on January 17, 1920. The 21st amendment was ratified on December 5, 1933 to repeal the 18th, ending prohibition. It is the only amendment ever repealed by the U.S. Congress.
(Gillespie, Nick)