Although were living in an unprecedented time, it’s not the first time that America has seen a crisis. It’s important to remember that when people talk about recovery, it’s a question of “when,” not “if.” Here are three times America went through hardships and came out stronger.
- The Spanish Flu of 1918: The Spanish flu infected an estimated 500 million people and killed an estimated 20 to 50 million people, including about 675,000 Americans. President Wilson is thought to have caught it while negotiating the Treaty of Versailles after World War 1. Just like today, citizens were ordered to wear masks, and schools, businesses, and theaters were closed. But, just a few years later, the Roaring Twenties began, and America continued on its way to becoming a global superpower.
- The Great Depression: At the end of 1929, America entered the Great Depression with huge stock market losses. By 1933, almost half of America’s banks had failed and unemployment was close to 30% of the workforce. However, this hard period in American history resulted in relief and reform measures like the New Deal, unemployment insurance, the Social Security program, and the end of Prohibition.
- World War II: The economy was converted to war production, rationing became part of civilian life, and ultimately America played an indispensable role in achieving victory for the Allied Powers. And after the war, America entered a new era of progress and prosperity.
We’re living through history right now, and it’s more scary than exciting, but we’ll make it through.
