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