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- July 17th, 1984 🍺
July 17th, 1984 🍺
Can I see your ID?
Today, we’re dialing the time machine to July 17th, 1984. Today was the day that the National Minimum Drinking Age Act was passed by Congress, which prohibited the sale of alcholic beverages to persons under 21 years of age. Tough news for high schoolers who liked to party.
If you were alive in 1984, send this newsletter to your party buddies. Digital cheers. 🍻
July 17th, 1984 📆
On July 17, 1984, Congress decided that 18-year-olds were old enough to vote, join the military, and take out student loans, but not to drink a beer. Enter: the National Minimum Drinking Age Act. Signed into law by President Ronald Reagan, this act didn’t directly outlaw under-21 drinking. Instead, it cleverly told states: “Raise your drinking age to 21, or kiss 10% of your federal highway funds goodbye.” Unsurprisingly, states got sober real fast.
The act was a response to rising drunk driving fatalities, particularly among teens. While it wasn’t exactly greeted with cheers by college or high school students nationwide, public health experts largely applauded the move. Road safety improved, though college keggers simply went underground, or at least to sketchier basements.
Critics argued it blurred the lines of state rights and personal freedom. Supporters said it saved lives. Fraternity brothers said, “Wait, I can go to war but not order a beer?” To which lawmakers replied, “Correct. And good luck in boot camp.”
For a deeper dive into why the US drinking age is 21, check out this episode of Vox Almanac. 👇
Take Me Back ⏮️
🎥 What we’re watching: Dynasty on ABC, America’s #1 prime time soap opera
🕹️ What we’re playing: Cobra Command at the local arcade
🛒 What we’re buying: Masters of the Universe figures
📖 What we’re reading: The Aquitaine Progression by Robert Ludlum
👦 Who we’re following: Carl Lewis, who was preparing to dominate the 1984 Summer Olympic Games in Los Angeles
🍔 What we’re eating: King’s Candy Cigarettes
🎤 What we’re singing: “When Doves Cry” by Prince
🥤 What we’re drinking: Bud Light, which just rebranded from Budweiser Light 👇
Just For Fun 🙃
In 1984, people got their news from the “Big Three” networks: ABC, CBS, NBC. The smooth voices of Dan Rather, Tom Brokaw, and Peter Jennings were keeping us posted on events like the 1984 Summer Olympics and Svetlana Savitskaya becoming the first woman to walk in space.
Today, people get their news from 1440. 👇
Fact-based news without bias awaits. Make 1440 your choice today.
Overwhelmed by biased news? Cut through the clutter and get straight facts with your daily 1440 digest. From politics to sports, join millions who start their day informed.
OOTD On This Day🧢
Everyone was looking forward to the 1984 Summer Olympic Games in LA, including fashion designers. The Olympic-inspired outfit from Levi Strauss & Co.’s summer activewear collection was turning heads.
Happy Birthday🎂
American actor, singer, and television personality David Hasselhoff turned 32 years old today, and was fighting the forces of evil in Knight Rider.
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