January 15, 1942
United States
The order converted a major share of beverage-distilling capacity into an instrument of federal wartime mobilization. It is a precise, primary-source anchor for explaining how World War II reshaped production priorities without implying that every distillery was covered.
Verified against the complete official Federal Register order and a contemporaneous government bulletin. The bulletin estimated that about 60 percent of beverage-distilling capacity would be affected. Treat that figure as an official contemporary estimate and distinguish this January 1942 order from later wartime expansions of control.
General Preference Order M-69 took effect, directing covered distilling equipment capable of producing spirits at 190 proof or higher from corn or other grain toward that production for wartime needs.
Editorial use
Use as the exact opening milestone for the wartime distilling-capacity story. The governing claim is 
Scope boundary
Describe M-69 as a capability-based restriction affecting a major share of beverage-distilling capacity. Do not describe it as a universal closure of every distillery or as the sole wartime control.