Remembering the Dust Bowl: Black Sunday

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One of the most devastating dust storms of the Dust Bowl occurred on April 14, 1935, and was known as Black Sunday. This storm was so large and intense that it covered much of the Great Plains region.

Farming walking in Dust Bowl

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The 1930s were a difficult time for America. The country was in the midst of the Great Depression, and people were struggling to make ends meet. But for residents of the Great Plains, the 1930s were particularly difficult due to the Dust Bowl.

The Dust Bowl was a natural disaster that affected the Great Plains, including parts of Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas, Colorado, and New Mexico. It was caused by a combination of drought, over-farming, and high winds. This led to massive dust storms that swept across the region, causing widespread damage and devastation.

The history of the Dust Bowl.

Black Sunday

One of the most devastating dust storms of the Dust Bowl occurred on April 14, 1935, and was known as Black Sunday. This storm was so large and intense that it covered much of the Great Plains region. It could be seen from as far away as Chicago and New York.

The dust from the storm was so thick that it blocked out the sun and made it impossible to see. People were caught outside during the storm and had to find their way home by following fences or the tracks of trains. The dust was so abrasive that it damaged the skin and caused respiratory problems for many people. It also peeled paint off of cars.

A farmer and his two sons during a dust storm in Cimarron County, Oklahoma, April 1936. Photo entitled “Dust Bowl Cimarron County, Oklahoma” taken by Arthur Rothstein. Source

The Dust Bowl’s legacy

The effects of the Dust Bowl left a lasting impact on the region. Like John Steinbeck’s The Grapes of Wrath, people were forced to leave their homes and migrate to other parts of the country in search of work and a better life. The Dust Bowl also had a major impact on agriculture in the Great Plains, as the dust made it difficult for crops to grow.

Despite the challenges of the Dust Bowl, the people of the Great Plains persevered and worked to rebuild their communities. The memory of Black Sunday serves as a reminder of the resilience and determination of the American people.

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