From the stockmarket crash of 1929 to the federally declared bank holiday that marked its bottom, three and a half years elapsed, and unemployment reached 25%.

ECONOMIST: America��s bail-out plan

Two years had elapsed since the Second Vatican Council convened by Pope John XXIII in 1962, which set out to dismantle the charge that Jews were responsible for killing Jesus.

BBC: Flashback: 1964 papal visit

Fifteen years have now elapsed since the United States last conducted an underground U.S. nuclear test.

CENTERFORSECURITYPOLICY: The ��Genie-stuffers��

But the video places the incident in the here and now, almost making the seven years that have elapsed insignificant.

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Sixteen years will have elapsed between the government establishing a commission to look into the UK's pension problems and its key recommendation being fully implemented.

BBC: Automatic pension enrolment timetable

This may mean 12 years or more will have elapsed from the crash to the next big bull market.

FORBES: After The Healing Will Come A Bull

Time elapsed between the founding of Palm Computing and when HP closed up shop? 18 years.

FORBES: Two Handfuls Of Handspring

You can cash them in at any time once six months have elapsed, although there is a three-month earnings penalty if they're redeemed within the first five years.

FORBES: Fact and Comment