The legal drinking age is the minimum age at which a person is allowed to purchase and consume alcoholic beverages. In many countries, including the United States, this age is set at 21 years old. This law aims to reduce alcohol-related accidents and health issues among young people. Different countries have varying legal drinking ages. For example, in many European nations, the legal age is often 18 years old. These regulations reflect cultural attitudes towards alcohol and its consumption, influencing how societies manage public health and safety related to drinking.