The Stock Market Crash of 1929: The Collapse That Triggered the Great Depression
The stock market crash of 1929 was one of the most devastating financial events in American history. It marked the abrupt end of the economic prosperity of the Roaring Twenties and led directly into the Great Depression — a decade-long crisis that affected millions worldwide.
Background: The Roaring Twenties
During the 1920s, the U.S. economy experienced rapid growth, technological innovation, and rising stock prices. A sense of optimism and speculative investment drove millions to pour money into the stock market, often with borrowed funds. The lack of regulation and widespread margin buying created a financial bubble destined to burst.
The Crash Unfolds
The crash did not occur in a single day but rather over a series of panicked sell-offs in late October 1929. The most infamous days were:
