The unemployment rate in February was______. [originaltext] The deep downturn

The deep downturn in the US economy gathered strength in February, 2009 as another 651, 000 workers lost their jobs.
    It was the third straight month in which the jobless total rose by more than 600, 000. Since the recession began in December, 2007 over four million Americans have lost their jobs.
    (26)The unemployment rate rose to 8 1 percent in February, the highest rate in over 25 years. Job losses in February were close to expectations, while the unemployment rate was above forecasts of 8 percent.
    New York Congressman Maurice Hinchey called attention to the revised 688, 000 job loss in December, 2008.(27)"That December decline is now the worst we’ve seen since October, 1949, " he said.
    Hinchey is a member of the Joint Economic Committee. During a discussion of the grim jobs data, members divided along party lines on whether the economic stimulus plan of President Obama will turn the economy around.