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A speakeasy was an establishment that was used for selling and drinking alcoholic beverages during the period of United States history known as Prohibition (1920-1933, longer in some states), when the sale, manufacture, and transportation of alcohol was illegal. The term comes from a patron's manner of ordering alcohol without raising suspicion — a bartender would tell a patron to be quiet and "speak easy". Image File history File links Broom_icon. ... Bottles of cachaça, a Brazilian alcoholic beverage. ... The United States of America is located in the middle of the North American continent, with Canada to the north and the United Mexican States to the south. ... The term Prohibition, also known as Dry Law, refers to a law in a certain country by which the manufacture, transportation, import, export, and sale of alcoholic beverages is restricted or illegal. ...

The origin of the term "speakeasy" predates Prohibition by at least thirty years. Samuel Hudson, a newspaperman in the late 19th century, said he heard the term used in Pittsburgh in the 1880s by an old Irish woman who sold liquor without a license. She told her clients to "speak easy" if they wanted to buy some. The Cassell Dictionary of Slang lists the word as coming into use around 1890. The term spake-aisy was used even a century before this, where it referred to smugglers' hideouts. The term Prohibition, also known as Dry Law, refers to a law in a certain country by which the manufacture, transportation, import, export, and sale of alcoholic beverages is restricted or illegal. ... Alternative meaning: Nineteenth Century (periodical) (18th century — 19th century — 20th century — more centuries) As a means of recording the passage of time, the 19th century was that century which lasted from 1801-1900 in the sense of the Gregorian calendar. ... Nickname: Steel City, Iron City, City of Champions, City of Bridges, City of Colleges, P-Burgh, The Burgh Motto: Benigno Numine Location in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania Coordinates: Country United States State Pennsylvania County Allegheny County Founded 1758 Mayor Luke Ravenstahl (D) Area    - City 151. ... // Development and commercial production of electric lighting Development and commercial production of gasoline-powered automobile by Karl Benz, Gottlieb Daimler and Maybach First commercial production and sales of phonographs and phonograph recordings. ... Spirits redirects here. ... 1890 (MDCCCXC) was a common year starting on Wednesday (see link for calendar) of the Gregorian calendar (or a common year starting on Friday of the Julian calendar). ...

One former speakeasy, Chumley's, still exists in New York City at 86 Bedford Street. It was owned by C.Collins and C. Arienti, and remains authentically decorated. There are no signs on the door to indicate that inside lies a bar and restaurant. There is even a secret back door leading out to a passageway on to Barrow Street so that customers could make a quick exit when the police called.

Another former speakeasy still exists in Petaluma, California. Volpi's Ristorante used to be a market with a speakeasy and bar in back. The door to the alley still exists above the bar, behind the Italian restaurant, and the bar is still in business and does not look much different than it probably did in Prohibition days. Rumors of underground tunnels that cross the downtown area are still told to this day. There was even a brothel that is now Old Chicago Pizza in this western town, and the rumors are that there were more, where these tunnels run to. Petaluma is a city located in Sonoma County, California. ...

Speakeasies became more popular and numerous as the Prohibition years progressed, and also became more commonly operated by those connected to organized crime. Although police and United States Federal Government agents would raid such establishments and arrest the owners and patrons, the business of running speakeasies was so lucrative that such establishments continued to flourish throughout the nation. In major cities, speakeasies were often elaborate, offering food, live bands, and floor shows. The police corruption at this time was notoriously rampant; speakeasy operators commonly bribed police to either leave them alone or at least give them advance notice of any planned raids. Organized crime or criminal organizations are groups or operations run by criminals, most commonly for the purpose of generating a monetary profit. ... Federal courts Supreme Court Chief Justice Associate Justices Elections Presidential elections Midterm elections Political Parties Democratic Republican Third parties State & Local government Governors Legislatures (List) State Courts Counties, Cities, and Towns Other countries Politics Portal      The government of the United States of America, established by the U.S. Constitution, is... Bribery is the practice of offering a professional money or other favours in order to circumvent ethics in a variety of professions. ...