Which stock-market crash began on October 24, 1929, with a record volume of trading on the New York Stock Exchange?

The Wall Street Crash of 1929 began on October 24, 1929, with record trading volume on the New York Stock Exchange.

October 24 became known as Black Thursday after heavy selling overwhelmed the exchange. Bankers attempted to restore confidence by purchasing shares, but the rally did not end the underlying decline. Selling intensified again on October 28 and October 29, the day commonly called Black Tuesday.

The crash followed a decade of rapid economic expansion and speculation in U.S. equities. Many investors bought shares on margin, borrowing money against their positions. When prices fell, margin calls forced additional selling and accelerated the collapse.

The crash did not by itself cause every feature of the Great Depression. Banking failures, monetary contraction, falling demand, international debt problems, and policy choices deepened the economic downturn. The stock-market collapse nevertheless became its defining financial symbol.