Why is 21 the age of majority in the US? Why not 20, that's a nice even

[raccoon]

number. Seems to me it would make more sense.

What's the big deal about 21?

[Dr. Strange]

1. It's only 21 in Mississippi and DC.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Age_of_majority#Countries_and_subdivisions
Nineteen in Alabama and Nebraska and 18 everywhere else. And guess what? Eighteen is an even number!

[raccoon]

3. Maybe I better rephrase that. Some decades ago, you had to be 21

to vote in nearly every states (I believe there were one or two exceptions). Why was it 21? And why 21 to buy alcohol instead of 20?

I'm just perplexed as to why somebody came up with 21. :shrug:

[Lautremont]

2. 21? It's 18 where I come from. Which admittedly is not the US.

[Deep13]

4. Biblical rule of sevens.

From 0-7 one is basically a non-being.

7-14 one is presumed not responsible for his or her actions. 14 is the age of reason.

14-21 on is presumed responsible for his or her actions. That presumption is conclusive at age twenty-one.