Major Historical Moments in the US Stock Market

The two major crashes of the US stock marketThe crash was worldwide, starting in Hong Kong,
occurred in 1929 and 1987. These two years signifiedspreading to Europe, and finally hitting the United
the worst scenarios in the history of the stockStates. Though the market dropped nearly 23
market.percent in America, Hong Kong saw a drop of 46
The 1929 stock market crash is probably the mostpercent. But it was New Zealand that got hit the
famous crash in history and occurred on Octoberhardest with a catastrophic fall of about 60 percent.
29th. The economy grew so quickly for twentyBecause of the time zone difference, the 1987 crash
years straight and was considered to be in a goldenis known as Black Tuesday in New Zealand, where
age of technology with inventions like the radio, cars,recovery took several years.
aviation, telephones, and more.American recovery was quicker, with the Dow Jones
Companies like General Motors, Radio Corporation ofIndustrial Average actually closing the year 42 points
America and others watched their stocks soar. Thehigher, at 1,939, than it opened. However, it would
financial corporations were also doing quite well.take two years to regain its 1987 high of 2,722
Bankers began to float mutual fund companies andpoints.
money seemed like no problem at all. However, theThere were some positive outcomes from the 1987
stock market began to experience many unsettlingcrash however. Prior to 1987, most trading occurred
declines in prices which caused the subsequent Blackover the phone. But after the crash, market makers
days. During this time period, no one did any tradingstopped answering calls. Because of this, an electronic
at all.method of trading was developed.
When the market crashed all of the stocksThere were two major times in history when the
plummeted to prices that sickened and frightened thestock market plummeted. In 1929, when the stock
investors. This crash caused a serious financial loss tomarket crashed it led the entire economy of the
investors and eventually led to the Great DepressionUnited States into a Great Depression. Fortunately,
which caused even bigger blows to the portfolios ofthe United States did not suffer from a depression in
investors. The Dow Jones finally bottomed out in1987 when the market crashed a second time
1932.because this crash was short lived.
In 1987, the stock market crashed again. However,As history illustrates, there are definitely some risks
this crash was felt worldwide and is known as Blackinvolved with investing in the stock market.
Monday. This decline went on for five days andFortunately, there are also a lot of fortunes made
plummeted over 500 points on the Dow Jones. Thethrough investing too. If you want to increase your
fear was that another 1930s depression lay ahead.chances of succeeding in something as big and
However, the investors and the market ralliedcomplicated as the stock market, it may be wise to
together after the crash and immediately beganfind an expert to guide your early activities.
seeing gains of points the very next day.