sep 24, 1869 - Jay Gould/ James Fisk

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Jay Gould and James Fisk, in an attempt to corner the gold market, paid off President Grant's brother-in-law to tell them when the federal government was selling gold and prevent the sale of gold so they could stockpile it and become rich by increasing gold's value (bc it's now more rare). When Grant and the public caught news, there was increased pressure for the treasury to sell, leading to the announcement of a large sale of gold on one day known as Black Friday (Sept. 24, 1869) and the subsequent crash in gold's value that was felt for years to come.

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