This Day In History

March 1: Iceland celebrates Beer Day

Unlike England – where every day is a Beer Day – in Iceland it only occurs once a year.  On 1 March every year though, they do a mighty fine job of paying tribute to it.

Not just because they’re thirsty either. They do it to (1) Get drunk, (2) Have a laugh and (3) Honour the elimination of the 74-year prohibition of beer which lasted from 1915 to 1 March, 1989.

In a calamitous misuse of democracy, in a 1908 referendum, Icelanders voted in favour of a ban on all alcoholic drinks, which came into effect on 1 Jan, 1915.

Course, the ridiculouness of this situation soon meant the ban was lifted for stuff like wine and spirits, but strong beer (over 2.25%) amazingly remained banned all the way up until 1989.

Since the ban was lifted the country has gone crazy for beer and today it is the the most popular alcoholic beverage of choice. In fact the lifting of the ban has been described as a “cultural milestone” and celebrations, especially in the capital Reyjavik, arew undertaken with incredible passion and vigour.

So, yeah, god bless Iceland's Beer Day, and all those who slurp in it!