Friday, July 1, 1966: The end of Prohibition

Mississippi, the first state to ratify national prohibition in 1918, today ended the last statewide ban on liquor. Although liquor became legal at 12:01 a.m., it won't really be legal until a county votes itself wet -- which will take at least 16 days. Gov. Paul B. Johnson has vowed strict compliance with statewide enforcement of prohibition until such referendums are held. It was Johnson who called for legalization earlier this year, terming prohibition a farce.

     -- Associated Press: @

* 1962: "A tax on lawbreakers only" (Life magazine, May 11): @

* 1965: "Mississippi's dry -- in a wet sort of way" (Associated Press, January 21): @

* July 27, 1966: "Legal Booze Brings Joy to Thirsty Biloxi Tipplers" (AP): @

* August 6, 1966: First legal liquor store: @

* Wet/dry map (Alcoholic Beverage Control, Mississippi Department of Revenue): @

* Wet/dry map for beer and light wine (Alcoholic Beverage Control, Mississippi Department of Revenue): @

* "Forty Years of Legal Liquor: It's Mostly Ho-Hum" (Bill Minor, 2006): @

* "Mississippi Moonshine Politics" (Janice Branch Tracy, 2015): @ 

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