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On the date

Saturday, October 26, 1929

From the day

Perspective: The Street Photographer · Sound

The shutter clicks over the cacophony of screeching trolley brakes and a newsie shouting about some school building waste, but all I see is a real sheba in silk stockings darting through the midtown crowd. She’s hummin’ "Singin' in the Rain" beneath the shadow of a gleaming new skyscraper, her dark sunglasses reflecting the frantic, gray energy of a city that feels like it’s teetering on a wire. I duck into the corner bodega to escape the wind, grumbling as I slap down my last $0.11 for a single loaf of bread. The shopkeep’s car radio is spitting static about architects and wasted funds, but the heavy scent of yeast and the rattle of a kid’s Duncan Yo-Yo on the pavement are the only truths I need to capture today.

Memories from that day

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The Headlines

THOMAS REVEALS 1924 SCHOOL SURVEY; Charges Walker Has Ignored Findings of Committee Which City Has Not Yet Published. CITES ATTACK ON GOMPERT Says 'Inexperienced' Architect Was Retained--Study Pointed to Building Waste.

Read in The New York Times →

Best-selling Sheet Music

Singin' in the Rain

Nacio Herb Brown

The must-have

Duncan Yo-Yo

Slang

Slang of the decade

General

applesaucebaloneycheaterscrush

Flapper

bee's kneescat's pajamasgiggle watershebahotsy-totsy

Gangster

big cheesebump offstool pigeongatfall guy

Catchphrases of 1929

  • Wall Street Lays an Egg

Tech Check

Car Radio, Sunglasses (Mass Produced) & Coaxial Cable.

Cost of Living (1920)

Loaf of Bread

$0.11

Gallon of Gas

$0.30

Average Home

$6,296

New Car

$575

Meanwhile

  • The Great DepressionGDP fell 30%; triggered by Black Tuesday (1929-10-29).

Time Elapsed

35,286 days ago

(96 years, 246 days)