During the month of May, 2009, fewer jobs were cut in a single month since the previous fall. Although job losses during the month dropped to 345,000, the overall unemployment rate rose to 9.4%, a 25-year high. Economists estimate that job losses will likely continue to taper off, but those that have lost their jobs may continue to have difficulty finding more work.San Francisco Chronicle: US loses just 345,000 jobs in May, raising hopes

• The Unemployment Rate = Unemployed Workers / Total Labor Force x 100%

On February 5, 2009, the government said the number of first-time filings for unemployment in the U.S. increased to 626,000 for the week ending January 31, 2009—the highest level since October 1982.CNNMoney.com: Jobless claims highest in 26 years (February 5, 2009)

On February 6, 2009, the Labor Department said the U.S. unemployment rate reached 7.6% in January 2009—the highest level since December 1974, with employers cutting nearly 600,000 jobs from their payrolls.CNN Money: Job loss: Worst in 34 years (February 6, 2009) Bloomberg.com: U.S. Jobless Rate Soars as Payrolls Plunge by 598,000 (February 6, 2009)

On February 19, 2009, Labor Department officials announced that first-time applications for unemployment benefits remained at an all-time high for another week. Benefit rolls continued to expand, showing 4.99 million workers receiving benefits.Bloomberg.com: U.S. Jobless Benefit Rolls Reach Record 4.99 Million (February 19, 2009)

On March 6, 2009, the Labor Department announced that the unemployment had reached 8.1%, the highest it has been since 1983.FOXNews.com: Jobless Rate Sours to 8.1%, Highest Since 1983 (March 4, 2009)

On April 3, 2009, the unemployment rate in the U.S. reached 8.5%, the highest since late 1983The New York Times: Jobless Rate Hits 8.5% After 663,000 Jobs Lost in March (April 3, 2009)

As the U.S. recovered from the economic downturn, the number of people filing for unemployment insurance rose for the week of May 16, 2009. A record number of citizens also filed for unemployment benefits topping a record at 6.66 million. The U.S. Labor Department underestimated the severity of the labor market and has predicted conditions to worsen as the auto makers file for bankruptcy and close dealerships.Bloomberg.com: Jobless Claims in U.S. Decreased 12,000 to 631,000 (May 21, 2009)

On December 5, 2008, the government said the U.S. unemployment rate had reached 6.7%— the highest level since 1993. The Labor Department said an estimated 533,000 jobs were lost in November 2008, bringing the yearly total to 1.9 million.CNN Money: November: Most jobs lost in 34 years (December 5, 2008)

On December 11, 2008, the government said the number of Americans filing first-time unemployment benefits claims reached a 26-year high. The Labor Department said filings reached an estimated 573,000 for the week ending on December 6, 2008—the highest level since 1982.CNN Money: Jobless claims at 26-year high (December 11, 2008)

On December 24, 2008, the government said the number of Americans filing first-time unemployment claims hit a 26-year high. The Labor Department said filings reached an estimated 586,000 for the week ending on December 20, 2008.Bloomberg.com: U.S. Initial Jobless Claims Rise to 26-Year High (December 24, 2008)

In December 2008, the unemployment rate reached 7.2%, with employers cutting 524,000 jobs from payrolls. Some analysts predicted that the U.S. unemployment rate would continue to rise, and could hit double digits of 10% or higher in 2009.CNN Money: Worst year for jobs since '45 (January 9, 2009)