October 29, 1929 was the worst day of many Americans' lives. That was the day the stock market crashed and the Great Depression hit. At first, the President and other politicians thought it would be over after a few months, but it turned out to be the worst stock market crash in the history of America. America lost $14 billion on that damaging day and by the end of the week lost a staggering $30 billion. Today that would equate to exactly $377,587,032,770.41. As it happens, this was almost ten times more than the American budget at the time and that much money had not even been spent during World War I (“Great Depression”). Money wasn't the only thing in short supply during the Depression. During the Great Depression, food was so scarce that over seven million people died of malnutrition, roughly the number of deaths that occurred during the Holocaust in Europe. This was a real shock to so many people who had just lived through the abundant “Roaring Twenties.” Illness was also a sudden killer during the Depression. Tuberculosis and pneumonia were rampant, and money was so tight that finding a doctor was out of the question for many Americans. Although famine and disease were largely responsible for many deaths, they were not the leading cause of death in the 1920s and 1940s. (Gold 18)The number one cause of death during the Great Depression was suicide. After the initial shock of the crash, there was a dramatic increase in suicides. Due to the increase in suicides, hotel managers asked if customers needed a room to sleep or jump. Many have committed suicide due to rising unemployment and the inability to support themselves. ): Amity Shlaes: Books." Amazon.com: Online shopping for electronics, clothing, computers, books, DVDs and more. Network. January 18, 2012. January 16, 2012. .Oro, Christina Anne Sheehan. Hoovervilles: Homelessness and Squatting in California during the Great Depression. Print. Page 17-19. “Great Depression.” Fun Facts. Network. January 18, 2012. “Panic Control.” . The Washington Times. 12 Dec 2008. 27 Dec 2012. McElvaine, Robert S. The Great Depression: America, 1929-1941 Depression. San Diego, CA: Greenhaven, 2001. Print 24.