The Recession of 1958

1958 Recession USA
Al Fenn / Time Life Pictures / Getty

Unemployment
Fueled by a drop in unfulfilled orders for durable goods and a declining demand for commodities and other raw materials, the recession of 1958 forced over five million people — nearly 7% of the labor force — out of work. In the photo above, Illinois residents line up at an unemployment office in Chicago.

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