1929: Also known as the Great Depression, it was the most devastating economic crisis in U.S. history marked by a stock market crash in October 1929 that triggered widespread unemployment, bank failures, and prolonged economic hardship.
2008: Often referred to as the Great Recession or global financial crisis, it was a severe worldwide economic downturn caused primarily by the collapse of the housing market bubble in the United States and subsequent financial system failures.
Stock Market Crash: A sudden dramatic decline in stock prices across a significant cross-section of a stock market resulting from panic selling by investors.