From the Covid-19 panic to the Dutch Tulip mania in 1637, here are 10 of the worst stock market crashes in history

CHICAGO - SEPTEMBER 29: Jeff Linforth stands at the Chicago Board of Trade signal offers in the Standard & Poors stock index futures pit near the open of trading September 29, 2008 in Chicago, Illinois. Stocks fell at the open as traders waited for Congress to vote on the $700 billion plan to rescue troubled financial companies. (Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images)Scott Olson/Getty Images

• For as long as there have been financial markets, there have been market crashes.
• The March 2020 market crash — driven by the rapid spread of coronavirus around the world — is just the latest in a long line of panics over hundreds of centuries.
• From the infamous Tulip Panic of the 17th century, to the 2008 financial crisis, Markets Insider decided to round up a handful of the most notable and interesting crashes in market history.
• Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories.

For as long as there have been financial markets, there have been market crashes.

The March 2020 market crash — driven by the rapid spread of coronavirus around the world — is just the latest in a long line of panics throughout the hundreds of centuries that have roiled markets, crashed economies, and led to financial ruin for countless people.

Generally driven by investor panic and loss of confidence in the markets, often after a period of excitement and speculation, market panics are features of the financial and economic system around the world.

From the infamous Tulip Panic of the 17th century, to the 2008 financial crisis, Markets Insider decided to round up a handful of the most notable and interesting crashes in market history. Check them out below.