Participant Resource 2014 RESA

Video: A History of Minimum Wage Source: A Time Magazine Commercial - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tQE0ldkiKo0 Background information: Video focus:  The evolution seen in the video commercial is a look  In 1938 the very first federal minimum wage was set at at how the federal minimum wage looks as it has $0.25 an hour (Fair Labor Standards Act). gone up over time.  As you study the video pay attention to the changes  The federal minimum wage is not tied to the rate of in blue which will show how much the amount inflation. The federal minimum wage increases through displayed would be worth in today’s dollars. congressional action.

 Since 1938 congress and the president have worked together 22 times to raise the federal minimum wage. Federal Minimum Wage Timeline Minimum Wage Worth In Today’s Dollars (2014) Wage Increase 1938 .25 4.15 1939 .30 5.05 .05 1945 .40 5.20 .10 1950 .40 6.34 .35 1956 1.00 8.61 .25 1961 1.09 8.93 .15 1963 1.25 9.56 .10 1967 1.40 9.82 .15 *1968 1.60 10.75 .20 1974 2.00 9.49 .40 1975 2.10 9.13 .10 1976 2.30 9.46 .20 1978 2.65 9.51 .35 1979 2.90 9.34 .25 1980 3.10 8.80 .20 1981 3.35 8.62 .25 1990 3.80 6.93 .45 1991 4.25 7.30 .45 1996 4.75 7.17 .50 1997 5.15 7.51 .40 2007 5.85 6.61 .70 2008 6.55 7.12 .70 2009 7.25 7.90 .70 2014 7.25 7.25 ------

Purchasing power today. The peak occurs in 1968. Purchasing power in 1968.

1. Do you have any observations between the increase in the federal minimum wage and the cost of living?

Video Guide Sheet/2014 Fall RESA 2. What questions come to mind as you think about this video? (Label your questions by associating with a particular strand of social studies, i.e., history, economics, geography, etc.)

Video Guide Sheet/2014 Fall RESA