FAR longer than that I'm afraid. I began in earnest in the 1920's in this country but that was just THIS country.
Great Britain is another story.
Fortunately, we still said the pledge of allegiance every morning, had Christmas programs with manger scenes and Christmas carols. We had paper and metal drives, bought stamps to help the war (WWII) effort. The country came together inspite of the depression, and together we did it!
The people had to do without butter, beef, gasoline, rubber, stockings (that leg paint was awful) metal products. Every household had rationing books. And everyonem had vegetable gardens. (Those carrots tasted so good warm from the earth!) America was still America.
Maybe we need another good depression!