Celebrate New Beer's Eve with an ice-cold brew: Cheers

If you happen to enjoy an ice-cold brew every now and then, get ready to raise your glass. April 6 is New Beer's Eve, an annual occasion that commemorates an important event in American history.

If you're in the mood for a refreshing beverage, all you have to do is make a quick trip to a local liquor, convenience store or bar, right? Heck, you can even whip up your own. But it wasn't all that long ago when it was actually against the law to consume alcohol in America.

Difficult to enforce, Prohibition lasted for more than a decade in America until President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed the Cullen-Harrison Act, an amendment to the prohibition-based Volstead Act, which allowed the brewing, selling and consumption of 3.2 percent beer and wine in the country.

On the evening of April 6, 1933, New Beer's Eve, thousands of thirsty Americans patiently waited in line at breweries and pubs for the new law to go into effect at 12:01 a.m. at April 7, 1933. Roosevelt said, “I think this would be a good time for a beer.” Beer was delivered to President Roosevelt in high style - by Anheuser-Busch Clydesdale horses. It was estimated that over 1.5 million gallons of beer were consumed within the first 24 hours.

Prohibition in America ended on Dec. 5, 1933, when the 21st Amendment to the United States Constitution was ratified, repealing the 18th Amendment.

April 6 is also National Siamese Cat Day. And speaking of beer, April 7 is National Beer Day. Cheers!