What is the legal drinking age in the United States?

The legal drinking age in the United States is 21 years old. This law was established by the National Minimum Drinking Age Act of 1984, which mandated all states to raise and enforce the minimum legal drinking age to 21. The goal of this legislation was to reduce alcohol-related traffic accidents and fatalities among young people. As a result, all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and U.S. territories have implemented laws in accordance with this federal mandate, making it illegal for individuals under the age of 21 to purchase or publicly possess alcohol. The age restriction stems from research showing that younger individuals are more susceptible to the negative consequences of alcohol consumption, both in terms of health and safety.