Once considered as "God's gift" to mankind and an elixir for almost every type of ailment, liquor ultimately emerged as the inalienable cause of numerous social problems -- from escalating domestic abuse to an untold amount of alcohol-related deaths.

Traditionally, Prohibition has been viewed as either a colorful aberration or an absolute failure. But it was neither.

The legislation that turned the nation "dry" was supported by more than 80% of Congress and ratified by no fewer than 90% of states. It was the result of a campaign lasting more than a century and succeeded in reducing alcohol consumption by two-thirds.

The adoption of Prohibition heralded one of the most affluent periods of American history.