The stock market crashing was one of many factors leading to the Great Depression. The stock market was growing for years, and then one day, in October of 1929 the market crashed. According to the textbook, "For most of the 1920s, Wall Street experienced a Bull Market, a continuation of rising stock market prices characterized by optimism and investor confidence" (Danzer). On the contrary to popular belief, stocks were not as valuable as some people thought and were, in some cases, grossly over-valued. The day the market crashed is often referred to as "Black Tuesday". When the market crashed many investors lost most of their worth. Banks also suffered immensely. Even though most Americans were not invested in the stock market, the loss banks suffered were felt all across the nation.