Frederick County Public Libraries is set to host an engaging educational event titled “America During Prohibition: How a Nation Kept on Drinking,” scheduled for December 8, 2026, from 10:30 AM to 12 PM at the Thurmont Regional Library. This course will delve into the historical context surrounding the temperance movement and the subsequent enactment of the 18th Amendment, which introduced Prohibition in the United States.
Participants will explore how Americans adapted to laws that banned the production, transportation, and sale of alcohol, highlighting lesser-known aspects of this complex period. The curriculum will cover significant topics such as alcohol smuggling, the rise of organized crime, and the secret venues where people continued to gather and drink. Additionally, the course will address the technological innovations that emerged in response to the demand for illegal alcohol production and distribution.
Marc Sommerville will lead the course, guiding attendees through the intricate political and social dynamics that ultimately led to the repeal of the 18th Amendment. This historical narrative challenges the common perception of Prohibition as a time of prosperity, revealing a more nuanced and compelling story of American society during that era.
The class is being offered in collaboration with Frederick Community College’s Institute for Learning in Retirement and is intended for an adult audience. Interested residents can find further details and registration information on the Frederick County Public Libraries’ event calendar.
Read the original article at Frederick County Government