What name is given to the worldwide stock-market collapse that began on October 24, 1929?

The worldwide stock-market collapse that began on October 24, 1929, is called the Wall Street Crash of 1929.

The crash centered on the New York Stock Exchange after years of rising share prices, widespread speculation, and extensive buying on margin. Investors could purchase stocks with borrowed money, leaving them vulnerable when prices turned downward. As prices fell, margin calls forced more selling, creating a damaging feedback loop.

The panic became visible on Black Thursday, October 24, when heavy selling overwhelmed the market. Temporary support from major bankers slowed the decline, but confidence soon deteriorated again. Black Monday and Black Tuesday followed, and the market remained weak for years.

The crash is often described as the sole cause of the Great Depression, but historians generally view it as one major trigger and symptom among several. Banking failures, reduced demand, debt, protectionism, and contraction of credit also prolonged the economic crisis. The crash affected markets internationally, not just Wall Street.