An Introduction to the Great Depression

The Great Depression was an economic slump in the United States, which began in 1929 and lasted until the outbreak of World War 2.

It was the longest and most severe depression ever experienced, at that time.

The Great Depression began in the United States, but quickly turned into a worldwide economic situation.
On October 28, 1929, The Wall Street Journal’s main headline read: ''Industrials off 38.33'' -- meaning the Dow had plunged 12.82%. The following day the average fell another 30.57 points, or 11.73%. The two-day rout marked the second- and third-largest percentage drops in the average’s history. In six days the industrial average lost more than 96 points, nearly 30% of its value. After hitting 300 on the last day of 1928, the Dow industrials would rally until peaking at 381.17 in September, only to crash the next month. It would not hit 300 again until 1954, 25 years later.

Part of the daily lineup outside the State Employment Service Office. Memphis, Tennessee. June 1938.

Unemployed workers in front of a shack with Christmas tree, East 12th Street, New York City. December 1937. More Photo's

Farm foreclosure sale in Iowa. (Circa 1933)

Foreclosure of homes and farms were epidemic during the Great Depression, creating a huge homeless population.

Post WW1 and the Great Depression

Photograph of 'Okies' (from Oklahoma) Driving to California after the Dust Bowl Disaster and many where forced from their land; only to find mistreatment and no work to often in California.

The Face of the Great Depression

Brother, Can You Spare A Dime?

Lyrics by Yip Harburg, music by Jay Gorney (1931), singer is Bing Crosby.

Home entertainment was usually the radio, if one could afford to buy one. It was usually like a great prize to have in the home.

The Song, “Brother, Can You Spare a Dime,” was very popular during the Great Depression.

A Depression Soup Recipe

During the Great Depression, a very popular soup for the poor with no money was to go to a lunch counter and order a cup or bowl of hot water.

Usually, crackers and catsup was sitting on the lunch counter, when the hot water arrived, the catsup and crackers where added to create a type of tomato soup.

Eventually, because of the cost of catsup and crackers for the lunch counter owner, is why many places even today do not always have these items on the table.

What was the cost of a loaf of store bread?
5 cents
Moreover, this five cent loaf of bread was considered expensive.

Everyday Ladies Fashion

That wrap around dress that seems to be popular in the U.S. for 2008, is from the days of the Great Depression.

How much was gasoline?

About 10 to 17 cents per gallon in the 1930’s.
Nevertheless, people had trouble affording the high price.