15 Images From Stock Market Crashes Throughout History

History All February 22, 2025

Stock market crashes have shaken the global economy as we know it, time and time again. Seemingly all at once, panic, devastation, and overriding uncertainty can break out, leading to horrific stock market crashes. We’ll take a look at some of the images that have surfaced throughout history’s most devastating stock market crashes, to date.

1. A janitor sweeps the floor of New York Stock Exchange following the Wall Street Crash in 1929.

A man sweeps a floor covered in paper debris in a large room with high ceilings, appearing to be an office or financial space. Shelves and a clock are visible in the background, suggesting a busy environment.
u/frecklefactor/via reddit

A haunting shot to say the least.

2. The streets were flooded with devastation during the stock market crash.

A black and white historical photograph depicts a crowded city street filled with people and vintage cars. The street is lined with tall buildings, and a large group is gathered around a central point in the road.
u/reddit

Absolute chaos broke out.

3. Wall Street on Black Tuesday, October 29, 1929.

A black and white photograph of a busy early 20th-century urban street filled with people and vintage cars. Tall buildings line the street, and a large crowd is gathered, suggesting a bustling city scene.

u/defiantskeptic./via reddit

Many sleepless nights were had.

4. Crowd reads latest news outside the entrance to the New York Stock Exchange after the stock market crashes on October 24, 1929. 

A group of men and boys gather on a city street, all focused on one person holding a newspaper. They are dressed in early 20th-century attire, with hats and suits. The scene is bustling with movement and energy.
u/mewears/via reddit

No news can really be the best news in these scenarios.

5. A troubling image from the stock market crash October 29, 1929.

Crowd gathered outside the Federal Hall National Memorial in New York City during the Wall Street Crash of 1929. The scene includes a large group of people, vintage cars, and the building's prominent columns in the background.
u/gagator/via reddit

People probably just didn’t even know where to go.

6. Crowds form outside the Bank of United States’ Southern Boulevard branch in the Bronx as it closed its doors on December 10, 1930. 

A black-and-white photo depicts a large group of people, mostly men in hats and coats, gathered outside the entrance of a United States bank. Signs reading "UNITED STATES" and "UNITED CIGARS" are visible on the building.
u/defiatnskeptic/via reddit

Crowds were gathering everywhere.

7. Thomas Frederick Bell, Jr. lost his fortune in the stock market crash so he sold apples to support himself. 

An elderly man with a cane stands next to a fruit stand labeled "Unemployed Buy Apples 5¢." He holds apples in one hand and is dressed in a suit. A vintage car and a traffic light are visible in the background. The scene appears to be from the early 20th century.
u/defiantskeptic/via reddit

Talk about a truly humbling fall from grace.

8. Brokers rush to execute sell orders on the Tokyo Stock Exchange’s trading floor in August 1990. 

A large crowd of people in white shirts is tightly packed together. Some individuals are wearing glasses and appear to be engaged in a bustling, energetic exchange or activity, with expressions of excitement and determination.
u/sgthardtimes/via reddit

You can see the mounting panic in that guy’s face.

9. Trading floor at the New York Stock Exchange on October 1929 as stocks crashed, sparking a run on banks.

A historic black-and-white photo of a bustling stock exchange floor. People in suits are actively trading, gathered in groups, and surrounded by large wooden trading booths under tall windows, reflecting a lively financial atmosphere.
u/drednaught/via reddit

The trading floor was a tough place to be on that day.

10. Trader reacting to a $1.71 trillion dollar loss.

A group of people in formal attire gathered at what appears to be a busy trading floor. One man at the center has his hands over his mouth, looking concerned. Papers and monitors are visible around them, indicating a fast-paced environment.
u/majorappeal1770/via reddit

It’s just wild to ponder over how devastating it was to lose that mountain of wealth.

11. Another trader reacting to the devastation brought on by the stock market crash.

A man in a suit holds his head in his hand, appearing stressed, while seated at a cluttered desk with an old computer and papers. People stand around him in a busy office environment, suggesting a financial or trading setting.
u/sameinvestiagtor89/via reddit

It was a tough day to keep your head up.

12. The times were extremely tough.

Black-and-white photo of a man standing by a vintage car in the 1920s or 1930s, holding a sign that reads, "$100 will buy this car, must have cash, lost all on the stock market." Several men in suits and hats are gathered around.
u/marinekingprime/via reddit

Talk about a tough cookie to swallow.

13. This picture taken at 2:57pm during the 2010 Flash Crash.

A man in a suit looks at his phone while standing on a busy city street. He's holding a briefcase. Taxis and pedestrians are in the background, with tall buildings visible. The scene is partially shaded.
u/specifificty/via reddit

The writing is on the wall in this troubling still.

14. The sheer look of defeat.

A man in a suit sits on the floor with papers scattered around, appearing exhausted or contemplative. He is leaning against a counter with computers and office equipment. People are visible in the background, seemingly busy at work.
u/reddit

Guy can’t even be bothered to stand up anymore.

15. It’s hard to even imagine what must’ve been going through his head.

A group of people in business attire are gathered around a desk with computer monitors displaying data. One person sits with their head in their hands, suggesting stress or frustration. Others are standing and observing the monitors.
u/reddit

It must’ve felt like a literal nightmare.

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