January 17 – National Bootleggers Day

National Bootleggers Day is Today!

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HOW TO CELEBRATE NATIONAL BOOTLEGGERS DAY

•  Host a Roaring Twenties Party.
•  Purchase books and read about Al Capone.
•  Read “Gentlemen Bootleggers, The True Story of Templeton Rye.”
•  Watch the video, “Prohibition.”
•  Purchase some Templeton Rye and drink it in these glasses.
•  If you love the article image, purchase it on these fun products on Zazzle!

FEATURED ITEM FOR NATIONAL BOOTLEGGER DAY

Bootleggers were rule-breakers of the Prohibition era, when the sale and transportation of alcoholic beverages was illegal in America. They acquired liquor through illegal means and then transported it in secret to other locations to sell or trade. To avoid capture, bootleggers used various cunning tactics such as camouflaging cars with fake covers, altering car engines to make them more agile and faster, and even using coded language while on the phone.

Bootlegging could be a dangerous business, but some earned huge profits from their illicit activities. Nowadays, bootlegging has become a term for illegitimate activity related to any item – not just alcohol!

NATIONAL BOOTLEGGERS DAY:  A BRIEF HISTORY OF BOOTLEGGERS

The history of bootleggers is intricately woven into the fabric of Prohibition-era America during the 1920s and early 1930s. As the 18th Amendment to the United States Constitution prohibited the manufacturing, sale, and transportation of alcoholic beverages, a clandestine and often illicit industry emerged to meet the demand for spirits. Bootleggers, named for the practice of concealing flasks of alcohol within their tall boots, played a pivotal role in the underground economy. These individuals engaged in the smuggling, production, and distribution of illegal alcohol, often resorting to covert methods to outsmart law enforcement.

Notorious figures like Al Capone became synonymous with the bootlegging trade, leading organized crime syndicates that capitalized on the lucrative black-market demand for alcohol. The era of bootlegging ultimately came to an end with the repeal of Prohibition in 1933, but its impact on American culture and organized crime left an indelible mark on the nation’s history.  Read more about how to celebrate National Bootleggers Day below!

100 WAYS TO CELEBRATE NATIONAL BOOTLEGGERS DAY

1. Historical Lecture: Attend a lecture about the history of bootlegging and Prohibition.
2. Speakeasy Tour: Visit a historic speakeasy or a modern bar styled like one.
3. Prohibition-Era Cocktail Class: Take a class to learn how to make cocktails popular during Prohibition.
4. Bootlegging History Documentary: Watch a documentary about the Prohibition era and bootlegging.
5. Prohibition-Era Costume Party: Host or attend a costume party dressed in 1920s attire.
6. Bootlegger’s Ball: Attend a themed dance event with music and decor from the Prohibition era.
7. Moonshine Tasting: Sample different types of moonshine at a distillery or tasting event.
8. Historical Walking Tour: Take a walking tour that highlights historic bootlegging sites in your area.
9. Roaring Twenties Dinner Party: Host a dinner party with a 1920s theme, featuring period-appropriate food and drink.
10. Bootlegger’s Trivia Night: Participate in or organize a trivia night focused on Prohibition and bootlegging facts.
11. Speakeasy Jazz Night: Enjoy a night of live jazz music at a local club or bar.
12. Vintage Car Show: Attend a car show featuring vehicles from the Prohibition era.
13. Prohibition-Era Recipe Cooking: Cook and enjoy recipes that were popular during the 1920s.
14. Bootlegger’s Book Club: Read and discuss books related to bootlegging, Prohibition, or the 1920s.
15. Historical Reenactment: Watch or participate in a reenactment of a Prohibition-era event.
16. Bootlegger’s Escape Room: Try an escape room with a bootlegging or Prohibition theme.
17. Visit a Distillery: Tour a local distillery that produces whiskey or other spirits.
18. Prohibition Film Festival: Watch classic films set during the Prohibition era.
19. DIY Moonshine Kit: Try making your own (legal) version of moonshine at home with a DIY kit.
20. Bootlegger’s Scavenger Hunt: Organize a scavenger hunt with clues and items related to bootlegging history.
21. Prohibition-Era Dance Lesson: Take a dance lesson to learn popular dances from the 1920s, like the Charleston.
22. Bootlegger’s Art Exhibit: Visit an art exhibit featuring works inspired by the Prohibition era.
23. Prohibition History Podcast: Listen to a podcast episode about the history and impact of Prohibition.
24. Visit a Historical Museum: Explore a museum with exhibits on the 1920s and Prohibition.
25. Prohibition-Era Music Playlist: Create and listen to a playlist of music from the 1920s.
26. Speakeasy Poker: Organize a poker night with a 1920s speakeasy theme, complete with vintage cards and chips.
27. Bootlegger’s Board Game: Play a board game based on Prohibition and bootlegging, such as “Speakeasy Blues” or “Bootleggers.”
28. Prohibition-Era Trivia: Host a trivia game with questions related to the Prohibition era, famous bootleggers, and 1920s history.
29. Escape the Speakeasy: Create an escape room scenario where players must solve puzzles to “escape” a speakeasy before a police raid.
30. Moonshine Hide and Seek: Play a version of hide and seek where players must find hidden “moonshine” bottles around the house or yard.
31. Bootlegger’s Race: Organize a relay race where participants must smuggle items (e.g., water bottles) without getting caught by “police.”
32. Blackjack Night: Set up a blackjack table and play this classic card game in a speakeasy-style setting.
33. Prohibition-Era Charades: Play charades with prompts related to the 1920s, Prohibition, and famous figures of the time.
34. Mafia Game: Play the social deduction game Mafia, where players must figure out who among them are the “bootleggers.”
35. Moonshine Toss: Set up a ring toss game using empty bottles as targets, calling it “moonshine toss.”
36. Bootlegger’s Bingo: Create bingo cards with Prohibition-related terms and play a round of bingo.
37. Speakeasy Scavenger Hunt: Organize a scavenger hunt with clues and items hidden around a designated area, themed around bootlegging and speakeasies.
38. Prohibition Pictionary: Draw Prohibition-era items and figures while others guess what they are.
39. Smuggler’s Dice: Play a dice game where players try to “smuggle” their rolls without being caught.
40. Bootlegger’s Jeopardy: Host a game of Jeopardy with categories focused on Prohibition, bootleggers, and 1920s culture.
41. Prohibition Card Game: Play a card game like Rummy or Hearts with a speakeasy twist, using special rules or themed cards.
42. Moonshine Memory Game: Create a memory card game with pairs of cards featuring Prohibition and bootlegging images.
43. Bootlegger’s Treasure Hunt: Hide “treasures” around the house and give players maps or clues to find them.
44. Speakeasy Password: Play a guessing game where players must guess the “password” to enter the speakeasy based on hints.
45. Bootlegger’s Obstacle Course: Set up an obstacle course where players must navigate through “police” and “barriers” to deliver their “goods.”
46. Prohibition Storytelling: Take turns telling stories about fictional bootlegging adventures, with each person adding to the tale.
47. Cops and Robbers: Play a game of Cops and Robbers, with one team as bootleggers and the other as law enforcement.
48. Speakeasy Roulette: Set up a roulette table and play a few rounds in the style of a 1920s casino.
49. Bootlegger’s Dartboard: Use a dartboard to play a themed dart game, with points corresponding to different Prohibition-related targets.
50. Detective Game: Play a detective game where players must solve a mystery involving bootleggers and hidden stashes of moonshine.
51. Mason Jar Moonshine Labels: Create vintage-style labels for mason jars to mimic old moonshine bottles.
52. Prohibition-Era Posters: Design and print posters that reflect the advertising and propaganda of the 1920s Prohibition era.
53. Speakeasy Signs: Make wooden or cardboard signs to recreate the look of speakeasy entrances.
54. Bootlegger’s Hat: Craft a 1920s-style hat using felt and decorations, perfect for dressing up as a bootlegger.
55. Vintage Flask Covers: Customize metal flasks with leather or fabric covers, decorated with Prohibition-era designs.
56. Moonshine Jug: Decorate old jugs or bottles to look like classic moonshine containers, complete with “XXX” markings.
57. 1920s Headbands: Create flapper-style headbands with feathers, beads, and sequins.
58. Prohibition-Era Stencils: Make stencils of common 1920s imagery, such as jazz musicians, flappers, and Model T cars, to use on various surfaces.
59. Bootlegger’s Map: Draw and age a map showing routes and locations used by bootleggers during Prohibition.
60. Flapper Dresses: Sew or decorate simple dresses with fringe and sequins to replicate flapper fashion.
61. Old-Fashioned Cocktail Recipes Book: Design a small recipe book featuring popular Prohibition-era cocktails.
62. Speakeasy Password Cards: Create cards with unique passwords that guests must use to enter your speakeasy-themed party.
63. Prohibition-Era Coasters: Make coasters with 1920s designs or images of famous bootleggers.
64. Fake Cigarette Holders: Construct faux cigarette holders using paper and paint for a classic 1920s look.
65. Jazz Band Instruments: Craft mini instruments like saxophones or trumpets from paper and other materials for decorative purposes.
66. Vintage Photo Booth Props: Create photo booth props such as mustaches, hats, and flapper accessories for party pictures.
67. Bootlegger’s Ledger: Make a replica ledger where bootleggers might have recorded their transactions.
68. Prohibition Newspaper Clippings: Design and print faux newspaper clippings with headlines about Prohibition and bootlegging activities.
69. Speakeasy Entry Tickets: Create vintage-style tickets for entry to your themed event.
70. Bootlegger’s Vest: Sew or decorate a vest to resemble what a bootlegger might have worn, complete with hidden pockets.
71. Moonshine Barrel Planters: Decorate small barrels to use as planters, giving them a moonshine feel.
72. Vintage Drink Labels: Design labels for bottles that reflect the style of 1920s bootleg alcohol.
73. Prohibition-Era Pin Badges: Make pin badges with slogans or images related to the Prohibition era.
74. Jazz Age Masks: Create masks decorated with beads, feathers, and sequins for a masquerade feel.
75. Secret Compartment Book: Hollow out an old book to create a secret compartment, reminiscent of how bootleggers might have hidden their goods.
76. Moonshine Meatballs: Prepare meatballs simmered in a tangy moonshine-infused sauce.
77. Prohibition Punch: Mix a fruit punch with a hint of your favorite spirit, reminiscent of speakeasy cocktails.
78. Speakeasy Sliders: Serve mini burgers with gourmet toppings, perfect for a 1920s-themed party.
79. Bootlegger’s Bourbon Chicken: Cook chicken pieces in a rich bourbon sauce.
80. Gin Fizz Cupcakes: Bake cupcakes flavored with gin and citrus, topped with fizzy frosting.
81. Rum Runner Ribs: Slow-cook ribs in a rum-based barbecue sauce.
82. Whiskey Glazed Carrots: Roast carrots with a sweet whiskey glaze.
83. Mint Julep Mocktails: Create a refreshing non-alcoholic version of the classic Mint Julep.
84. Applejack Pork Chops: Pan-fry pork chops and serve with an applejack brandy sauce.
85. Speakeasy Stuffed Mushrooms: Make stuffed mushrooms with a savory filling and a hint of sherry.
86. Bootlegger’s Biscuits: Bake biscuits infused with a touch of bourbon.
87. Prohibition-Era Deviled Eggs: Prepare deviled eggs with a dash of spicy mustard and paprika.
88. Rum-Soaked Fruit Skewers: Soak fruit in rum and grill on skewers.
89. Gin and Tonic Sorbet: Freeze a refreshing gin and tonic sorbet for a cool treat.
90. Bourbon Bacon Jam: Cook bacon jam with bourbon, perfect for spreading on crackers.
91. Spiked Apple Pie: Bake an apple pie with a splash of apple brandy in the filling.
92. Bootlegger’s Brownies: Make rich chocolate brownies with a hint of whiskey.
93. Roaring Twenties Cheese Platter: Assemble a cheese platter with a variety of gourmet cheeses and boozy spreads.
94. Moonshine Marmalade: Prepare a homemade marmalade with a hint of moonshine.
95. Bootlegger’s Brisket: Slow-cook brisket in a beer-based marinade.
96. Prohibition Popcorn: Toss popcorn with a whiskey caramel glaze.
97. Rum Raisin Bread Pudding: Bake a bread pudding with rum-soaked raisins.
98. Speakeasy Shrimp Cocktail: Serve shrimp cocktail with a zesty vodka-spiked sauce.
99. Whiskey Apple Tart: Bake an apple tart with a whiskey caramel drizzle.
100. Bootlegger’s Beer Bread: Make a hearty beer bread with your favorite ale.

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Do you have any ideas about how to celebrate National Bootleggers Day?  Please share them!