Whenever I look at "Upcoming Events" on the right side of the chapter's website I grin at the Dec. 5 entry: Ratification of the 21st Amendment.
I have always considered this event to be of great importance to journalism and journalists. And proof that we can have some fun.
For those who aren't up on their U.S. Constitution, the ratification of the 21st Amendment repealed the 18th Amendment. Okay, one step further. The 18th Amendment prohibited the "manufacture, sale of transportation of intoxicating liquors within…the United States."
Journalists have long had a reputation as hard drinkers. (You don't think the press clubs around the country were set up to promote knitting, did you?)
Even today, the image of a journalist with a drink in hos/her hand is common. (Again, the Foreign Correspondents Club of Hong Kong is FAMOUS as having the best bar in Asia.)
I am sure you remember how Sen. Smith, played by Jimmy Stewart, got a lesson in the hard reality of life in Washington from the "boys" at the press club in "Mr. Smith Goes to Washington." (At 42 minutes into the movie.)
While thinking about the connection between journalism and drinking, I (naturally) did a Google search and ran across an interesting article from 2008 in Slate by Jack Shafer.
It's worth a read again, as we move closer to the anniversary of the repeal of Prohibition.
The Whiskey Rebellion: In praise of booze in the newsroom.
And let us not forget Stuff Journalists Like: #10 Drinking.