Will the U.S. and other governments dare tell their citizens that to avoid another global crisis, they will have to take bitter medicine? Karen Bleier/AFP/Getty Images hide caption
Financial Crisis: One Year And Counting, A Special Series The federal takeover of mortgage giants Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac in September 2008 marked the beginning of a period of unprecedented turmoil in the nation's financial system. A special NPR series looks at the system's near collapse and whether any lessons have been learned to prevent another, perhaps more devastating, crisis.
Special Series
Financial Crisis: One Year And Counting
An NPR series looks at the financial system's near collapse and whether lessons have been learned.
Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson speaks on Sept. 7, 2008, during a news conference on the bailout of mortgage giants Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. Susan Walsh/AP hide caption