National Moonshine Day
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Overview
National Moonshine Day, observed annually on June 5th, celebrates the historical and cultural significance of moonshine, an illicitly distilled alcoholic beverage traditionally made in secret, particularly prominent during the Prohibition era and in regions like Appalachia. While historically associated with illegality, the day also acknowledges the craft, ingenuity, and evolving legal landscape surrounding modern, regulated moonshine production, which has seen a resurgence in popularity as a legal spirit in recent years.
Origin and story
The term "moonshine" comes from the practice of distilling the liquor under the cover of night to evade tax collectors and law enforcement.
Traditional moonshine is typically a clear, unaged corn whiskey, often earning it the nickname "white lightning."
Quick facts
- DateJune 5
- TypeCultural / community observance
- Great forFriends, Families, Classrooms, Teams
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Ways to celebrate
Moonshine's biggest legacy isn't a drink at all — it's an entire sport that grew directly out of outrunning the law.
Trace bootlegging to Prohibition-era backroads
Moonshine runners souped up their cars to haul liquor from rural stills, stripping out seats for cargo room, reinforcing suspensions for the extra weight, and adding steel plates to protect the radiator from gunfire on winding mountain roads.
Know how the racing began
By the 1930s, moonshiners started racing those same modified cars at local fairgrounds for fun, drawing paying crowds who wanted to watch — a pastime formalized in 1947 when driver Big Bill France met with other racers to set standard rules, officially creating NASCAR.
Read the fuller history
Helpful resources:
Did you know?
Driver Junior Johnson kept running the family moonshine business even after winning five NASCAR races in 1955 — a tradition his ancestors had kept alive since the Whiskey Rebellion of the 1790s.
Fun facts
- The term "moonshine" comes from the practice of distilling the liquor under the cover of night to evade tax collectors and law enforcement.
- Traditional moonshine is typically a clear, unaged corn whiskey, often earning it the nickname "white lightning."
- While historically illicit, many modern distilleries now legally produce and sell "moonshine" as a clear, high-proof spirit, adhering to regulations and safety standards.
Sources and attribution
How Moonshine Bootlegging Gave Rise to NASCAR (Smithsonian Magazine)
External links may lead to third-party websites.
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FAQ
- When is National Moonshine Day?
- It is observed on June 5 each year.
- What is National Moonshine Day?
- National Moonshine Day, observed annually on June 5th, celebrates the historical and cultural significance of moonshine, an illicitly distilled alcoholic beverage traditionally made in secret, particularly prominent during the Prohibition era and in regions like Appalachia. While historically associated with illegality, the day also acknowledges the craft, ingenuity, and evolving legal landscape surrounding modern, regulated moonshine production, which has seen a resurgence in popularity as a legal spirit in recent years.
- How do people celebrate National Moonshine Day?
- Learn how moonshine bootlegging birthed NASCAR — Prohibition-era runners souped up their cars to outrun the law, then started racing those same cars for fun, leading to the sport's official 1947 founding.
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