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October 29, 1929—After several years of a strong American economy, the stock market crashes, leaving many people without the money they had depended upon their entire lives. Herbert Hoover is president.
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January, 1930—American unemployment reaches 3.2 million, more than doubling what it was before the crash. Some resort to selling items on the side of the road.
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January 22, 1932—Local and national government entities offer relief to people affected by the stock market crash. More than half a million people in New York alone are reported to need assistance.
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November 11, 1932—Franklin D. Roosevelt wins the presidential election over Herbert Hoover.
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March 10, 1936—California farmworkers get noticed through works of journalists, photographers, writers, and others who speak out. The migrant workers live in very poor conditions.
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April 14, 1938—President Roosevelt requests a stimulus from Congress to help with rising unemployment.
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December 7, 1941—Japan bombs Pearl Harbor, and the United States enters World War II. The economy begins to rebound.