The Nation - News from Sept. 2, 1986

Laws raising the legal drinking age to 21 went into effect in five states, triggering last-minute booze-buying sprees and a rampage by students at the University of North Carolina. Wisconsin, North Carolina, Minnesota, Iowa and Texas became the latest states to avoid the loss of federal highway funds by passing laws banning the sale of alcohol to people under age 21. The Iowa, Wisconsin and Minnesota laws allow people who turned 19 years old before Sept. 1 to continue drinking. Students at two universities in North Carolina went on last-minute booze-buying sprees and students at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill rioted Sunday night to protest the new law. Chapel Hill police arrested at least 20 people and authorities said that windows were broken and trash cans were set afire, but no one was hurt.