Featured moment · World history
Wall Street crash
October 1929
A dramatic collapse in United States share prices marked a turning point in the financial crisis that preceded the Great Depression.
What happened?
A series of sharp falls in late October 1929, including Black Thursday and Black Tuesday, shattered investor confidence on Wall Street.
Why it mattered
The crash was not the sole cause of the Great Depression, but it became its best-known symbol and helped prompt lasting debates about banking and financial regulation.