October 24

On October 24, 1929, known as Black Thursday, massive sell-offs on the New York Stock Exchange sparked widespread panic among investors. Stock prices plunged dramatically, wiping out billions in market value within hours. Brokerages struggled to find buyers and resorted to pooling resources to stabilize prices temporarily. The event shattered confidence in the booming 1920s bull market and heightened fears of economic collapse. Although markets rebounded briefly, Black Thursday marked the beginning of a downward spiral that would culminate in the Great Depression. Its legacy underscores the risks of speculative excess and market instability.

On October 24, 2008, major stock exchanges around the world experienced the steepest losses in their histories. The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell over 7%, while European and Asian markets plunged around 10%. Panic selling spread as investors reacted to the collapsing credit markets and failing financial institutions. The crisis followed the Lehman Brothers bankruptcy and tightening liquidity in global markets. Central banks and governments later intervened with emergency measures to stabilize the economy. 'Bloody Friday' epitomized the climactic turmoil of the 2008 financial crisis. The event underscored vulnerabilities in the global financial system and prompted regulatory reforms.