The Great Depression

  • Stock Market Crash

    Stock Market Crash
    A sudden dramatic decline prices across a significant cross-section of a stock market, leading to a significant loss of paper wealth.
  • Unemployment rises in the U.S.

    Unemployment rises in the U.S.
    Over 3.2 million Americans are unemployed, more than twice as many than in October 1929. President Herbert Hoover says that the worst of the financial crisis will be over within 60 days.
  • The Empire State Building opens.

    The Empire State Building opens.
    The tallest building in the world, the Empire State Building opens in New York City. It is 1,250 feet tall and remains the tallest building until the World Trade Center opens in New York in 1972.
  • 100,000 Total banks have failed.

    100,000 Total banks have failed.
    100,000 banks have failed since 1929, crippling the economy.
  • Amelia Earhart is the first woman to fly alone over the Atlantic Ocean.

    Amelia Earhart is the first woman to fly alone over the Atlantic Ocean.
    After leaving from Harbor Grace, Newfoundland on May 20, Amelia Earhart lands her red Lockheed Vega 5B airplane in a pasture in Ireland. The 15-hour flight over the Atlantic Ocean was the first solo flight over the Atlantic by a woman.
  • The Dust Bowl

    The Dust Bowl
    An area of land where vegetation has been lost and soil reduced to dust and eroded, especially as a consequence of drought or unsuitable farming practice.
  • Hitler Comes to Power.

    Hitler Comes to Power.
    Hitler's "rise" can be considered to have ended in March 1933, after the Reichstag adopted the Enabling Act of 1933 in that month.
  • The Emergency Banking Act is passed.

    The Emergency Banking Act is passed.
    After many banks are forced to close, Congress passes the Emergency Banking Act. Only banks with the backing of the federal reserve are allowed to open and many of the nation's banks will be open again by the end of the month.
  • Prohibition comes to an end with the 21st Amendment.

    Prohibition comes to an end with the 21st Amendment.
    Prohibition began was alcohol was banned in the U.S. starting in January 1920. It did little to prevent Americans from drinking and Prohibition ends when the 21st Amendment is ratified on December 5, 1933.
  • "Black Sunday" causes 20 massive dust storms.

    "Black Sunday" causes 20 massive dust storms.
    The Dust Bowl, caused by over plowed land and drought, leads to several years of huge dust storms in the Great Plains. One of the worst days was "Black Sunday," when 20 massive storms roll through the Plains and turn the sky black.
  • World War II begins.

    World War II begins.
    Hitler orders Nazi Germany's invasion of Poland. Two days later, France and England declare war on Germany, beginning World War II.
  • Roosevelt was elected to a third Presidential term.

    Roosevelt was elected to a third Presidential term.
    26th President of the United States. Teddy was a hero of the Spanish-American War and Panama Canal was built during his administration."Theodore Roosevelt said `Speak softly but carry a big stick'"