Following are changes to the federal minimum wage throughout history, according to the Department of Labor's website:

1938: 25 cents (original amount)
1939: 30 cents
1945: 40 cents
1949: 75 cents
1955: $1
1965: $1.25
1967: $1
1968: $1.15
1969: $1.30
1970: $1.45
1971: $1.60
1974: $2
1975: $2.10
1976: $2.30
1978: $2.65
1979: $2.90
1980: $3.10
1981: $3.35
1990: $3.80
1991: $4.25
1996: $4.75
1997: $5.15
2007: $5.85
2008: $6.55
2009: $7.25

This Web exclusive information is a supplement to "It's not fair!".