[An.American.Expatriate]

are ignoring the fact that states today prohibit teenagers from drinking because teens have even more trouble than adults controlling their actions

Actually, in 1984, Congress passed the National Minimum Drinking Age Act, which required states to raise their ages for purchase and public possession to 21 by October 1986 or lose 10% of their federal highway funds.

Maryland raised the age in 1984 (from 18 for Beer & Wine) but Grandfathered anyone already allowed under the previous law (I was one of them, so I remember it well!)

Interestingly, DC did not raise the Age until 1986 ...

[MortMan]

I was legal in 1984, 1985, and 1987 (NYS went from 18 to 19 for a year, then that year to 21, without grandfathering).