The Great Depression was the worst economic downturn in the history of the industrialized world, lasting from 1929 to 1939. Explore topics on the era, from the stock market crash of 1929, to the Dust Bowl, to FDR’s response to the economic calamity—the New Deal.

Great Depression

The Great Depression was the worst economic downturn in world history. Learn about the Dust Bowl, New Deal, causes of the Great Depression, a Great Depression timeline more.

Great Depression: Causes, Definition & Dates | HISTORY

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Food is an integral part of human history, serving as both sustenance and a symbol of culture, trade and power. From the earliest days of hunter-gatherers to modern-day globalization, what people eat has influenced the course of history.

Food

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Discover what happened on April 20 with HISTORY's summaries of major events, anniversaries, famous births and notable deaths.

April 20

As the Great Depression continued worldwide, Adolf Hitler became chancellor of Germany. Nazis declared a national boycott of Jewish-owned businesses and opened their first concentration camp, Dachau. In the U.S., after President-elect Franklin D. Roosevelt narrowly escaped assassination, he inaugurated his New Deal programs, ended Prohibition and began speaking directly to Americans with radio fireside chats. A “monster” appeared in Scotland’s Loch Ness, King Kong loomed large on movie screens and the first drive-in theater opened in New Jersey.

1933

Discover what happened on April 14 with HISTORY's summaries of major events, anniversaries, famous births and notable deaths.

April 14

Discover what happened on January 24 with HISTORY's summaries of major events, anniversaries, famous births and notable deaths.

January 24

Inventions from the telephone to the Model T and the computer have defined human history, and inventors like Leonardo da Vinci, Nikola Tesla, Thomas Edison, Eli Whitney and Alexander Graham Bell have transformed our society.

Inventions & Science

The final year of the Roaring Twenties, 1929 is etched in history as the year of the great stock market crash that launched a worldwide Great Depression, wiping out jobs, savings and housing security for millions. But 1929 was eventful in other respects, too: The Graf Zeppelin made the first nonstop flight around the world, Hollywood celebrated its own with the first-ever Academy Awards and the first car radio was introduced, bringing a whole new dimension to road tripping.

1929

Discover what happened on October 29 with HISTORY's summaries of major events, anniversaries, famous births and notable deaths.

October 29

In “the Trial of the Century,” Bruno Richard Hauptmann went before a New Jersey jury in 1935 for the murder of aviator Charles Lindbergh’s baby son. In Germany, the Nuremberg Laws stripped Jews of citizenship. Franklin D. Roosevelt signed the Social Security Act into law. The first canned beer went on sale in Richmond, Virginia, and Alcoholics Anonymous was founded in Akron, Ohio. Lawrence of Arabia died in England following a motorcycle accident, and Elvis Presley was born in Tupelo, Mississippi.

1935

Discover what happened on April 8 with HISTORY's summaries of major events, anniversaries, famous births and notable deaths.

April 8

One of the worst years of the Great Depression, when one in four Americans lacked work and nearly 9,000 banks had failed, 1932 brought the election of Franklin D. Roosevelt to the U.S. presidency for the first of his four terms. Amelia Earhart flew the Atlantic in triumph, while the kidnapping of aviator Charles Lindbergh’s young son ended in tragedy. In the Middle East, King Abdul Aziz ibn Saud united the regions under his control to establish the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

1932

Around the world, 1937 brought conflict, disaster and innovation. Wars in Spain and Asia highlighted growing tensions ahead of WWII. Stalin’s Great Purge killed and imprisoned millions. A killer typhoon, dirigible disaster and mysterious aviator disappearance grabbed global headlines. The majestic Golden Gate Bridge debuted, while engineers built the first jet engine. As Depression endured, Americans paid $26 to rent an average house and 10 cents for a gallon of gas. Top diversions included swing music, Tolkien’s hobbit and Disney’s dwarves.

1937

Discover what happened on December 30 with HISTORY's summaries of major events, anniversaries, famous births and notable deaths.

December 30

As the Depression era ended, World War II began. Nazi troops goosestepped into Poland, and in response, France and Great Britain declared war on Germany. Hitler ally Francisco Franco seized power in Spain, having defeated the democratically elected government in the Spanish Civil War. In the still-neutral U.S., a terrorist bomb exploded at the New York World’s Fair, while in fictional Gotham City, Batman made his comic book debut. College students, meanwhile, battled to see who could gulp the most live goldfish.

1939

Discover what happened on March 19 with HISTORY's summaries of major events, anniversaries, famous births and notable deaths.

March 19

Discover what happened on June 10 with HISTORY's summaries of major events, anniversaries, famous births and notable deaths.

June 10

1931

The Spanish Civil War began in 1936. In England, King Edward VIII abdicated the throne to marry divorcee Wallis Simpson. American Jesse Owens won four gold medals at the Berlin Olympics, undermining Hitler’s claims of Aryan superiority. The British ocean liner Queen Mary and the German airship Hindenburg completed their maiden voyages, Girl Scout cookies began to be sold nationally and the Baseball Hall of Fame inducted its first five members, including the recently retired Babe Ruth.

1936

Discover what happened on February 5 with HISTORY's summaries of major events, anniversaries, famous births and notable deaths.

February 5

Discover what happened on April 30 with HISTORY's summaries of major events, anniversaries, famous births and notable deaths.

April 30

Discover what happened on July 28 with HISTORY's summaries of major events, anniversaries, famous births and notable deaths.

Great Depression ‑ This Day In History

This Day in History Video: What Happened on January 24

Stock market crashes on Black Tuesday

Nevada legalizes gambling

Works Progress Administration established by Congress as part of FDR’s “New Deal”

FDR announces “court‑packing” plan

New York World’s Fair opens

Bonus Marchers evicted by U.S. Army

Alcoholics Anonymous founded

Sit‑down strike begins in Flint

First canned beer goes on sale

FDR suspends the gold standard for U.S. currency

“Black Sunday” Dust Bowl storm strikes