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21 became the national standard when a 1984 federal law reduced highway funds for states with a lower age. States are still free to set their own limits, however all 50 states raised the legal age to 21. The legal drinking age in California has always been 21 though.
Interestingly, 19 states do not specifically prohibit drinking under the age of 21, only the purchase and public possession (with certain exceptions) of alcohol. See Related Link.
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