19291987

1929–1987 denotes a historical span that begins with the stock market crash of 1929 and ends with a period of late-20th-century transformation. It encompasses major economic, political, and technological changes that shaped global development from the interwar era to the late Cold War.

The early part of the span is defined by the Great Depression of the 1930s, which caused widespread unemployment and hardship and led to extensive reform programs in various countries. The decade also saw the rise of totalitarian movements in parts of Europe and Asia, and the Spanish Civil War (1936–1939) as a prelude to broader conflict. World War II (1939–1945) followed, bringing massive human tragedy, redrawing borders, and culminating in the founding of the United Nations in 1945.

In the postwar era, the world entered the Cold War, marked by ideological rivalry, arms development, and regional conflicts. Decolonization reshaped many regions, while economic structures shifted through strategies such as the Marshall Plan and later welfare and development programs. The 1950s and 1960s featured rapid technological progress, space exploration, and social movements, including civil rights struggles and anti-war activism. Through the 1960s and 1970s, globalization and cultural change accelerated, even as economic difficulties or energy crises challenged several economies.

The 1980s brought new political and economic frameworks, with market-oriented reforms in many countries, advances in computing and communications, and heightened environmental awareness. Notable events include the Chernobyl disaster in 1986 and the stock market crash of 1987, reflecting continuing shifts in technology, policy, and global finance. The period ends in 1987 with a sense of transition that would lead into later decades.