What name is given to the worldwide stock-market crash that began in October 1929?

The worldwide stock-market crash that began in October 1929 is called the Wall Street Crash of 1929. The collapse followed years of rapidly rising share prices in the United States, heavy speculation, and widespread buying on margin, in which investors borrowed money to purchase securities.

Important selling days included Black Thursday on 24 October, Black Monday on 28 October, and Black Tuesday on 29 October 1929. The Dow Jones Industrial Average continued falling after those dramatic sessions and did not reach its eventual low until July 1932. The crash is closely associated with the Great Depression, although the depression also involved bank failures, falling demand, deflation, and international economic problems.

A common mistake is to treat the crash as the sole cause of the Great Depression. It was a major catalyst and symbol, but economic contraction had multiple causes. The event also showed how leverage and confidence can amplify losses across financial markets.