What nickname was given to the New York Stock Exchange sell-off on October 24, 1929?

The New York Stock Exchange sell-off on October 24, 1929, was nicknamed Black Thursday.

Trading volume surged as investors rushed to sell shares. The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell heavily during the session, although a group of major bankers later bought selected stocks in an effort to restore confidence. That intervention briefly steadied prices, but it did not end the underlying crisis.

Black Thursday came before Black Monday and Black Tuesday, the later October sessions that produced further dramatic losses. Because these labels are similar, they are frequently mixed up: Black Thursday refers to October 24, while Black Tuesday refers to October 29.

The 1929 crash unfolded after years of rising stock prices, widespread speculation, buying on margin, and optimism about the economy. The market’s collapse exposed how borrowed money could magnify losses. It was an important turning point, but the subsequent Great Depression also reflected banking failures, falling demand, monetary problems, and international economic stresses.