I can’t believe we missed a real drinking holiday. There is actually a holiday, Repeal Day, that celebrates the day our grandparents (or great-grandparents for some of us) were given the green light to start drinking alcohol.
On December 5, 1933, Utah became the final state needed to have the required three-quarters majority of the states to ratify the 21st amendment to the United States Constitution and repeal Prohibition. I know, you probably never thought you would get a history lesson from The Sandbar, but this, my friends, is intrinsic to the very existence of your favorite bar and mine. Therefore, it is worthy of this blog.
The "official" Repeal Day website lists several reasons why Americans (of legal drinking age of course) should partake in this event. They’re pretty darn good reasons, so here they are.
- It’s the perfect time of year. We’ve just escaped the first family-centric holiday of the season, Thanksgiving, hopefully with sanity still intact. Some people are looking for a way to numb the memory of too much turkey (the food or the family kind). Others may have decided that since they blew their diets, they might as well go out drinking, because what’s a few more pounds after all the pie they ate. Still others are preparing for whichever December family religious holiday they may celebrate. So, what better reason to grab a few friends and hit the town on Repeal Day?
- Our Constitution allows it. Seriously, what other holiday actually celebrates a law that guarantees our rights? And all Americans can claim this holiday, because it’s written in our Constitution. Although, we think that every single American should also celebrate St. Patrick’s Day, just because it’s fun.
- It’s easy. You don’t have to do a single thing but take a drink (or twelve) of alcohol. You can be alone, though we recommend celebrating with friends. You don’t have to come up with a creative costume. (Although we encourage that as well). And you don’t have to be a raving drunk to appreciate what the 21st amendment did for you. In fact, we’d much rather that you not be an idiot. Enjoy a classy glass of wine if you want. Or come by for a Bahama Mama.
So, here’s your 364-days-ahead-of-time warning: don’t forget Repeal Day next year. I promise, neither will we.