Friday, October 19, 2018

This Week In History, 1920 The Masses Reject Prohibition


Ninety-eight years ago, British Columbians rejected Prohibition.

“Moderates Sweep Province; City and Country Alike Ask For Government Control,” said the front-page headline in the Vancouver World on Oct. 21, 1920. “Almost Two to One Majority (Against) Prohibition Act Recorded.”

The vote was recorded in a referendum on alcohol, four years after a previous referendum had approved Prohibition, albeit in a controversial vote.

In 1920, there was no controversy — 76,165 people voted “wet,” while 45,478 voted to keep B.C. dry.

The anti-alcohol forces were shocked.

“Unexpected as was this development in many quarters, still more unexpected was the universality of the demand for a change of law,” the World reported.

bit.ly/2AfnCK7 via @VancouverSun

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