1. Prohibition under the Volstead Act of 1919 resulted in a widespread illegal sale of alcohol.

2. The Capper-Volstead Act is continually under review by and subject to adminis-trative and court interpretation

3. The Prohibition Era: "Alky-Cooking" During the "Dry Spell" Oxford's 20th Century Words dates Prohibition ( COHA , GB ), as it refers to this era in American history, to 1922, when the Volstead Act was passed, enforcing the 18th amendment to the Constitution, prohibiting the sale, transport, or production of alcoholic drink in the United States.