Maine Bans Alcohol: The Temperance Movement Begins
Maine enacted the first statewide prohibition law on June 2, 1851, banning the manufacture and sale of alcoholic beverages except for "medicinal, mechanical, or manufacturing purposes." The law was championed by Portland mayor Neal Dow, who became known as the "Napoleon of Temperance." The Maine Law inspired twelve other states to pass similar legislation by 1855, creating a wave of prohibition that was the first major temperance victory in American history. The law was poorly enforced and deeply unpopular in practice; Portland saw a riot in 1855 when Dow ordered militia to fire on a crowd protesting the seizure of alcohol, killing one person. Most state prohibition laws were repealed by the Civil War era. The national temperance movement revived and achieved the 18th Amendment in 1919, which was itself repealed by the 21st Amendment in 1933.
June 2, 1851
175 years ago
Key Figures & Places
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