Thirteen months after the 18th amendment was passed by Congress Nebraska became the 36th state to ratify it January 16,1919. The amendment became law January 17,1920. With great jubilation the dry forces ushered in this new era in American history called Prohibition. Celebrations were held all over the country commemorating the death of John Barleycorn.
The enforcement arm of the 18th amendment was the Volstead Act which placed the authority to enforce the amendment in the lap of the Treasury Department and defined what legally constituted an alcoholic beverage. The strictness of this definition finally dispelled any notions that the brewers had of being able to avoid catastrophe. Their products were banned also.
Now that its dream had come true the League turned its attention to law enforcement issues and extolling the new climate produced by Prohibition. It promoted law observance days and formeds The American Bond a branch of the Lincoln-Lee Legion which promoted obedience to the law through another pledge program and appeals to patriotism. A drama in the form of a debate "Can the Law Be Enforced?" sponsored by the League and manned with paid personnel travelled around the country presenting the League's viewpoint on this question.
The front page of the January 25, 1919 American Issue is available for viewing. (.gif file size 474K)