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For some, The Great Depression is just another era they read about in history books. But for others, it was a defining chapter in their parents' and grandparents' lives. Those stories passed down at family dinners about making do with less, finding joy in simple things, and pulling together when times got tough suddenly come alive when you see these incredible photographs. These 33 images offer a raw, unfiltered look at how ordinary Americans faced extraordinary hardship with remarkable resilience. From simple farm life to city hustling, from families losing everything to communities rallying together, these snapshots remind us of a time when grit and determination weren't just buzzwords, they were survival skills.
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#2
Joe Handley And Family In Their Home At Walker County, Alabama, 1937
#4
Mrs. Howard Shows The Beginning Of A Garden To A Neighbor, 1935
#6
Hot Dog Stand, West St. And North Moore, 1936
#9
Penderlea Farms, North Karolina, 1935
#10
Children Lined Up At Enterance To Casino Cinema, 1935
#11
Family Of A Striking Miner, Pennsylvania, 1935
#13
Edgar Allen And His Wife At The Rear Of House On Farm Near Milford, Iowa, 1936
Looking at these images so far, it's impossible not to think about how different life was back then. Every photo tells a story of people who knew how to stretch a penny, fix what was broken, and find happiness in the smallest things. As you continue scrolling through these remarkable snapshots, you'll notice something special: despite having so little, there's often a quiet dignity and even moments of joy captured in these frames. These next images show even more of that unbreakable American spirit.
#19
A Couple Of Kids Standing In Front Of A Poster, New Orleans, Louisiana, 1935
#23
Noonday Dinner, Family Style, At Restaurant In Muskogee, Oklahoma. The Price Of This Dinner Was Fifteen Cents, 1939
#24
N.y.a. Guides Distribute Literature To Sunday Visitors At Jersey Homesteads, Hightstown, New Jersey, 1936
sofacushionfort 3 months ago
The National Youth Administration (NYA) was a New Deal agency sponsored by Franklin D. Roosevelt during his presidency. It focused on providing work and education for Americans between the ages of 16 and 25.
#27
Proprietor Of Small Store In Market Square, Waco, Texas, 1939
#30
Boris Drasin, President Of The Workers Aim Association, Inc., Is Shown Working As An Operator, 1936
#32
A Black And White Photo Of A Man And Dogs In The Snow, Snow Carnival, New Hampshire (Lancaster), 1936
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What do you think ?
Peeka_Mimi 3 months ago
My Nany survived the Great Depression in Colorado. She said the family did better than their neighbors because they grrw cucumbers and there was a pickle factory in town, to which they sold their crop. She also loved FDR, she said he saved their farm. She raised me as a Social Democrat as a result. Also I know how to keep a garden and all kinds of home remedies from her. She raised me resilient and I'm glad she did.
Peeka_Mimi 3 months ago
My Nany survived the Great Depression in Colorado. She said the family did better than their neighbors because they grrw cucumbers and there was a pickle factory in town, to which they sold their crop. She also loved FDR, she said he saved their farm. She raised me as a Social Democrat as a result. Also I know how to keep a garden and all kinds of home remedies from her. She raised me resilient and I'm glad she did.
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