Final answer:
The legal drinking age of 21 in all U.S. states was established in 1988 with the passage of the National Minimum Drinking Age Act of 1984. Before 1988, the legal drinking age varied from state to state.
Step-by-step explanation:
The legal drinking age of 21 in all U.S. states was established in 1988 with the passage of the National Minimum Drinking Age Act of 1984. This law required states to raise their drinking age to 21 or risk losing a significant amount of federal highway funds. Before 1988, the legal drinking age varied from state to state.