Life — November 9, 1922 — page 23: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

This satirical cartoon depicts a chaotic street celebration in Havana, Cuba, labeled "Volstead Day." The Volstead Act (1920-1933) enforced Prohibition in the United States, making alcohol illegal. The joke appears to be that while Americans couldn't legally drink at home, Cuba—just offshore—became a haven for alcohol consumption and tourism. The cartoon shows a massive, boisterous crowd in a tropical setting with palm trees, a grand building, and commercial establishments (visible "ROCK" signs suggest bars/clubs). The anarchic celebration satirizes how Cubans could openly drink while Americans faced Prohibition. The title mockingly suggests celebrating American law by violating it abroad—capturing contemporary frustration with Prohibition and the ironic appeal of Cuban destinations to American drinkers seeking legal access to alcohol during this period.