U.S. Unemployment Rate Jumps to 26-Year High of 9.7%

http://www.marketwatch.com/story/unemployment-rate-jumps-to-26-year-high-of-97-2009-09-04

U.S. payrolls have dropped by 6.9 million to a total of 131.2 million since the recession began in December 2007, the government data showed. Unemployment has increased by 7.4 million during the recession to stand at 14.9 million.

An alternative measure of unemployment that includes discouraged workers and those forced to resort to part-time work rose to 16.8% from 16.3%, marking the highest on record dating back to 1995.