U.S. history of alcohol minimum purchase age by State - wikipedia U.S. history of alcohol minimum purchase age by State Minimum legal drinking age as of 1969 ( two years before the 26th Amendment was passed ) : Minimum age is 21 Minimum age is 20 Minimum age is 19 and 21 Minimum age is 19 Minimum age is 18 and 21 Minimum age is 18 Minimum legal drinking age as of 1975 ( when almost all states had their lowest age limit ) : Minimum age is 21 Minimum age is 20 Minimum age is 19 and 21 ; see below Minimum age is 19 Minimum age is 18 and 21 ; see below Minimum age is 18 Detail on dual age limits Both age limits apply for following states : Washington, D.C. : The legal drinking age is 18 for beer and wine, and 21 for liquor. Illinois : The legal drinking age is 19 for beer and wine, and 21 for liquor. Kansas : The legal drinking age is 18 for 3.2 % ABW beer, and 21 for beer stronger than 3.2 % ABW, wine and liquor. Maryland : The legal drinking age is 18 for beer and wine, and 21 for liquor. North Carolina : The legal drinking age is 18 for beer and wine, and 21 for liquor. Oklahoma : The legal drinking age is 18 for 3.2 % ABW beer, and 21 for beer stronger than 3.2 % ABW, wine and liquor. South Carolina : The legal drinking age is 18 for beer and wine, and 21 for liquor. South Dakota : The legal drinking age is 18 for 3.2 % ABW beer, and 21 for beer stronger than 3.2 % ABW, wine and liquor. Virginia : The legal drinking age is 18 for beer and wine, and 21 for liquor. Minimum legal drinking age as of 1983 ( one year before the Drinking Age Act of 1984 was passed ) : Minimum age is 21 Minimum age is 20 Minimum age is 19 and 21 Minimum age is 19 Minimum age is 18 and 21 Minimum age is 18 The alcohol laws of the United States regarding minimum age for purchase have changed over time. The history is given in the table below. Unless otherwise noted, if different alcohol categories have different minimum purchase ages, the age listed below is set at the lowest age given ( e.g. if the purchase age is 18 for beer and 21 for wine or spirits, as was the case in several states, the age in the table will read as `` 18 '', not `` 21 '' ). In addition, the purchase age is not necessarily the same as the minimum age for consumption of alcoholic beverages, although they have often been the same. As one can see in the table below, there has been much volatility in the states ' drinking ages since the repeal of Prohibition in 1933. Shortly after the ratification of the 21st amendment in December, most states set their purchase ages at 21 since that was the Voting age at the time. Most of these limits remained constant until the early 1970s. From 1969 to 1976, some 30 states lowered their purchase ages, generally to 18. This was primarily because the voting age was lowered from 21 to 18 in 1971 with the 26th amendment. A lot of states started to lower their minimum drinking age in response, most of this occurring in 1972 or 1973. Twelve states kept their purchase ages at 21 since repeal of Prohibition and never changed them. From 1976 to 1983, several states voluntarily raised their purchase ages to 19 ( or, less commonly, 20 or 21 ), in part to combat drunk driving fatalities. In 1984, Congress passed the National Minimum Drinking Age Act, which required states to raise their ages for purchase and public possession to 21 by October 1986 or lose 10 % of their federal highway funds. By mid-1988, all 50 states and the District of Columbia had raised their purchase ages to 21 ( but not Puerto Rico, Guam, or the Virgin Islands, see Additional Notes below ). South Dakota and Wyoming were the final two states to comply with the age 21 mandate. The current drinking age of 21 remains a point of contention among many Americans, because of it being higher than the age of majority ( 18 in most states ) and higher than the drinking ages of most other countries. The National Minimum Drinking Age Act is also seen as a congressional sidestep of the tenth amendment. Although debates have not been highly publicized, a few states have proposed legislation to lower their drinking age, while Guam has raised its drinking age to 21 in July 2010. State Pre-Prohibition ( prior to 1919 ) Post-Prohibition ( after 1933 ) 1970s / 26th Amendment ( adopted in 1971 ) 1980s / Drinking Age Act of 1984 21st century Alabama Pre 1881 : None 1881 : 21 ( none with consent of parent ) 21 1975 : Lowered to 19 1986 : Raised to 21 21 ( no one underage is allowed consumption Section 28 - 1 ) Alaska ? 21 1970 : Lowered to 19 1984 : Raised to 21 with grandfather clause ( if born before January 1, 1965 ) 21 Arizona ? 21 1972 : Lowered to 19 1985 : Raised to 21 21 Arkansas Pre 1925 : None 1925 : 21 21 21 21 21 California Pre 1891 : Regulated by municipality / county ( common age was 16 ) 1891 : 18 ( statewide ) 1933 : 21 21 21 21 ( except small amounts for religious ceremonies ) Colorado None 1945 : 18 : for beer 21 : for wine and liquor 18 Raised to 21 in 1987 21 Connecticut ? 21 1972 : Lowered to 18 1982 : Raised to 19 1983 : Raised to 20 1985 : Raised to 21 21 ( exemptions : ( 1 ) a person over age eighteen who is an employee or permit holder under section 30 - 90a and who possesses alcoholic liquor in the course of such person 's employment or business, ( 2 ) a minor who possesses alcoholic liquor on the order of a practicing physician, or ( 3 ) a minor who possesses alcoholic liquor while accompanied by a parent, guardian or spouse of the minor, who has attained the age of twenty - one. Nothing in this subsection shall be construed to burden a person 's exercise of religion under section 3 of article first of the Constitution of the state in violation of subsection ( a ) of section 52 - 571b. Delaware ? 21 1972 : Lowered to 20 1984 : Raised to 21 21 District of Columbia ? 18 : for beer and wine 21 : for liquor 18 : for beer and wine 21 : for liquor 1986 : Raised to 21 with grandfather clause. 21 Florida ? 18 1980 : 19 1985 : Raised to 21 with grandfather clause 21 Georgia ? 21 1972 : Lowered to 18 1984 : Raised to 19 1985 : Raised to 20 1986 : Raised to 21 21 Hawaii ? 21 1972 : Lowered to 18 1986 : Raised to 21 21 Idaho ? 20 : for beer 21 : for wine and liquor 1972 : Lowered to 19 ( all ) 1987 : Raised to 21 in 1987 ( Apr 11 ) with grandfather clause 21 Illinois 1872 : Age of majority ( none with written consent of parent ) pre 1961 : Age of majority 1961 : Raised to 21 1973 : Lowered to 19 : for beer and wine 21 : for liquor 1980 : Raised to 21 21 Indiana ? Post-1934 : 21 21 21 21 Iowa ? 21 1972 : Lowered to 19 in 1972 ( Jul 1 ) 1973 : Lowered to 18 in 1973 ( Jul 1 ) 1978 : Raised to 19 in 1978 ( Jul 1 ) 1986 : Raised to 21 in 1986 ( Jul 1 ) with grandfather clause. 21 Kansas ? 1949 : 18 : for beer and wine with less than 4 % ABV 21 : for liquor 18 : for beer and wine with less than 4 % ABV 21 : for beer and wine with 4 % ABV or more 21 : for liquor 1985 : Raised to 21 21 ( However, anyone under 21 may consume cereal malt beverages with parental supervision on their own property ) Kentucky ? 1938 : 21 21 21 21 Louisiana ? As of 1948 : 18 18 1987 : Raised to 21 de jure in 1987, but de facto age was still 18 until 1995 due to a sale loophole. 1995 : De facto age raised to 21 in 1995 when loophole was closed. 1996 : In 1996, briefly lowered by Louisiana Supreme Court to 18 until it reversed its decision, raising to 21 three months later. Other exceptions still remain. 21 ( Exceptions to state law include : For an established religious purpose ; When a person under twenty - one years of age is accompanied by a parent, spouse, or legal guardian twenty - one years of age or older ; For medical purposes when purchased as an over the counter medication, or when prescribed or administered by a licensed physician, pharmacist, dentist, nurse, hospital, or medical institution ; In a private residence, which shall include a residential dwelling and up to twenty contiguous acres, on which the dwelling is located, owned by the same person who owns the dwelling ; The sale, handling, transport, or service in dispensing of any alcoholic beverage pursuant to lawful ownership of an establishment or to lawful employment of a person under twenty - one years of age by a duly licensed manufacturer, wholesaler, or retailer of beverage alcohol. ) Maine ? 21 1969 : Lowered to 20 1972 : Lowered to 18 1977 : Raised to 20 1985 : Raised to 21 21 Maryland ? 21 1974 : Lowered to 18 : for beer and wine 21 : for liquor 1982 : Raised to 21 with grandfather clause 21 ( however anyone can drink when parents, spouses, teachers are present ) Massachusetts ? 21 1973 : Lowered to 18 1979 : Raised to 20 in 1979 ( Apr 16 ) Raised to 21 in 1985 21 Michigan ? 21 1972 : Lowered to 18 in 1972 ( Jan 1 ) 1978 : Raised to 19 in 1978 ( Dec 3 ) 1978 : Raised to 21 in 1978 ( Dec 21 ), 18 days later. First state to raise age to 21 since it was lowered 21 Minnesota ? 21 1973 : Lowered to 18 ( June 1 ) 1976 : Raised to 19 ( Sept 1 ) First state to raise age after lowering. 1986 : Raised to 21 21 Mississippi ? 1966 : 18 : for beer and wine 21 : for liquor ( alcohol not legalized until 1966 ) 18 Raised to 21 in 1986 21 Missouri ? 1945 : 21 21 21 21 Montana ? 21 1971 : Lowered to 19 1973 : Lowered to 18 1979 : Raised to 19 1987 : Raised to 21 21 Nebraska ? 21 1969 : Lowered to 20 1972 : Lowered to 19 1980 : Raised to 20 1985 : Raised to 21 21 Nevada ? 1933 : 21 21 21 21 New Hampshire ? 21 1973 : Lowered to 18 1979 : Raised to 20 1985 : Raised to 21 21 New Jersey Before 1880 : None Post-1880 : 18 ( penalties only against businesses ) 21 1973 : Lowered to 18 1980 : Raised to 19 1983 : Raised to 21 21 New Mexico ? 1934 : 21 21 21 21 New York 21 18 18 1982 : Raised to 19 in 1982 ( Dec ) 1985 : Raised to 21 in 1985 ( Dec ) 21 North Carolina ? 18 18 : for beer and wine 21 : for liquor 1983 : 19 : for beer and wine 21 : for liquor 1986 : Raised to 21 in 1986 ( Sep 1 ) 21 North Dakota ? 1936 : 21 21 21 21 Ohio ? 1935 : 18 : for 3.2 % ABW beer 21 : for beer stronger than 3.2 % ABW, wine and liquor 18 : for 3.2 % ABW beer 21 : for beer stronger than 3.2 % ABW, wine and liquor 1982 : 19 : for 3.2 % ABW beer 21 : for beer stronger than 3.2 % ABW, wine and liquor 1982 : 19 : beer 21 : wine and liquor 1988 : 21 21 ( However, anyone can drink with parents or legal - age spouse ) Oklahoma ? Men : 21 Women : 18 : 3.2 % ABW beer 21 : for beer stronger than 3.2 % ABW, wine and liquor 1976 : Lowered to 18 ( for 3.2 % ABW beer ) for both sexes in 1976 ( Dec ) Last state to lower the drinking age. 1983 : Raised to 21 21 Oregon ? 1933 : 21 21 21 21 Pennsylvania ? 1935 : 21 21 21 21 Rhode Island ? 21 1970 : Lowered to 18 1980 : Raised to 19 1981 : Raised to 20 1984 : Raised to 21 21 South Carolina 21 1935 : 18 : for beer and wine 21 : for liquor 18 : for beer and wine 21 : for liquor 1984 : 19 : for beer and wine 21 : for liquor 1986 : Raised to 21 21 South Dakota ? 1934 : 21 ( all ) 1939 : Lowered to 18 : for 3.2 % beer Raised to 19 : for 3.2 % beer 1972 : 18 : for beer and wine 21 : for liquor 1984 : 19 : for beer and wine 21 : for liquor 1988 : Raised to 21 21 Tennessee Pre 1881 : None 1881 : 21 21 1964 : Lowered to 18 1979 : Raised to 19 1984 : Raised to 21 21 Texas Pre 1909 : 21 None ( with written permission of parent or guardian ) Post 1909 : 21 21 1973 : Lowered to 18 1981 : Raised to 19 1986 : Raised to 21 in 1986 ( Sep 1 ) 21 Utah ? 1935 : 21 21 21 21 Vermont ? 21 1971 : Lowered to 18 1986 : Raised to 21 21 Virginia ? 21 1974 : Lowered to 18 : for beer and wine ( 21 : for liquor remained ) 1981 : Raised to 19 for off - premises consumption 1983 : Raised to 19 ( all beer ) 1985 : Raised to 21 21 Washington `` Age of majority '' since 1877 21 21 21 21 West Virginia ? 18 : for beer and wine 21 : for liquor 1972 : Lowered to 18 ( all ) 1983 : Raised to 19 ( & 21 for non-residents ) 1986 : Raised to 21 21 Wisconsin 1839 -- 1866 : 18 : for wine and liquor None : for beer Post-1866 : 21 ( all ) 18 : for beer 21 : for wine and spirits 1957 : 21 : for residents of bordering states with age limit 21. 1963 : Raised to 21 ( off - premises beer sales, remained 18 for on - premises ). 1972 : Lowered to 18 ( all ) in 1972 ( Mar ) 1977 : Border state restriction lifted. 1984 : Raised to 19 1986 : Raised to 21 ( September 1, 1986 ) 21 ( however anyone can drink when parents, spouses, teachers are present ) Wyoming ? 21 1973 : Lowered to 19 1988 : Raised to 21 in 1988 ( Jul 1 ) Last state to raise de jure drinking age to 21 21 American Samoa ? ? ? 21 ? 21 Northern Mariana Islands -- -- ? 21 ? 21 Puerto Rico ? 18 18 Kept at 18 despite 10 % highway funding penalty under Drinking Age Act. 18 Virgin Islands ? ? ? 18 18 Guam ? 21 ? 18 18 Raised to 21 in 2010 Additional Notes Contrary to popular belief, since the National Minimum Drinking Age Act of 1984, not all states specifically prohibit minors ' and young adults ' consumption of alcohol in private settings. That is because the federal law is concerned only with purchase and public possession, not private consumption, and contains several exceptions. As of January 1, 2007, 14 states and the District of Columbia ban underage consumption outright, 19 states do not specifically ban underage consumption outright, and 17 states have family member or location exceptions to their underage consumption laws. Federal law explicitly provides for religious, medical, employment and private club possession exceptions ; as of 2005, 31 states have family member or location exceptions to their underage possession laws. In the 1960s the age for buying or drinking beer and wine in the District of Columbia ( Washington, D.C. ) was 18 ; the age for hard liquor was 21. Residents from Virginia and Maryland would often drive to D.C. to obtain alcohol. In Louisiana, the 1987 law raising the age from 18 to 21 was deliberately written solely to comply with the National Minimum Drinking Age Act of 1984 to avoid losing highway funding, while still allowing 18 - to 20 - year - olds to drink as before. Not only did it still allow 18 - to 20 - year - olds to consume in private, it contained a major loophole allowing bars and stores to sell alcohol to 18 - to 20 - year - olds without penalty ( despite purchase being technically illegal ) which meant that the de facto age was still 18. In other words, the drinking age was 21 only on paper. This loophole was closed in 1995, but in 1996 the Louisiana Supreme Court declared a drinking age of 21 unconstitutional. That briefly lowered the de jure purchase age to 18, causing an uproar which prompted the Louisiana Supreme Court to reverse its decision, raising the age to 21 three months later. Other exceptions still remain to this day, including drinking in a private residence, and Louisiana still has some of the most liberal general alcohol laws of any state. Some states were `` dry '' well before national Prohibition was enacted in 1919, in some cases since achieving statehood. Also, some states did not become fully `` wet '' until several years after the repeal of Prohibition in 1933 ( e.g. Mississippi in 1966 ). Since 1966, all states and territories of the USA have been `` wet '', but dry counties and towns still exist in some states. References Jump up ^ `` NIH Fact Sheets - Underage Drinking ''. Report.nih.gov. 2013 - 03 - 29. Retrieved 2016 - 09 - 10. Jump up ^ Johnson, Hunter. `` Lowered Drinking Age of the 1970 's history 128 blog ''. History128.web.unc.edu. Retrieved 2016 - 09 - 10. Jump up ^ Toomey, Traci L. ; Nelson, Toben F. ; Lenk, Kathleen M. ( 2009 ). `` The age - 21 minimum legal drinking age : a case study linking past and current debates ''. 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Citation for Wisconsin drinking law : https://www.revenue.wi.gov/Pages/FAQS/ise-atundrg.aspx Retrieved from `` https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=U.S._history_of_alcohol_minimum_purchase_age_by_state&oldid=837456968 '' Categories : Alcohol law in the United States Hidden categories : Webarchive template wayback links CS1 : Julian -- Gregorian uncertainty All articles with unsourced statements Articles with unsourced statements from July 2016 Articles with unsourced statements from September 2013 Articles with unsourced statements from March 2015 Talk About Wikipedia Add links This page was last edited on 20 April 2018, at 23 : 10. Text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution - ShareAlike License ; additional terms may apply. By using this site, you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. Wikipedia ® is a registered trademark of the Wikimedia Foundation, Inc., a non-profit organization. About Wikipedia

Question: when was the drinking age set to 21
Answer: By mid-1988