The Cullen-Harrison Act, enacted in 1933, legalized the sale of beer and wine containing up to 3.2 percent alcohol by weight, marking a significant step towards the end of Prohibition in the United States. This legislation was met with widespread public celebration, as it allowed Americans to enjoy beer legally again after over a decade of restrictions. The act paved the way for the eventual full repeal of Prohibition later that year, reshaping American social and economic landscapes.

The Cullen-Harrison Act's legalization of low-alcohol beer marked a cultural shift from Prohibition-era restraint to a celebration of social life during the Great Depression. This transition influenced American literature, as poets captured the revival of tavern culture and communal experiences in their works.