24th Amendment to US Constitution ratified

24th Amendment to US Constitution ratified

January 23, 2010 05:00:00 am

On January 23, 1964, the 24th Amendment to the US Constitution, eliminating the poll tax in federal elections, was ratified.

Learn more about the 24th Amendment and poll taxes from the National Constitution Center.

THIS DAY @ LAW

India constitution ratified

On January 26, 1950, India ratified its constitution, formally making the new country a republic. On the same day, Rajendra Prasad was inaugurated as the republic's first president. The anniversary is celebrated today as Republic Day in India.

Tennessee became first state to ban alcohol sales

On January 26, 1838, Tennessee became the first US state to pass a law prohibiting the general sale of alcohol; fines paid by lawbreakers were put towards the support of public schools. Read more about the history of Prohibition.