Published: January 29, 2009

After more than half a million Americans lost their jobs last month and the national unemployment rate rose to a 16-year high, comparisons between the current recession and the Depression of the 1930s have only increased. The atmospheres of the United States during the Depression years and today are drastically different. Gone are the days of President Roosevelt’s “fireside chats,” as we occupy ourselves with our Blackberries and iPhones. However, some things have not changed as much as you may think. Comparisons have already been drawn between the oratory skills of Presidents Barack Obama and Franklin Delano Roosevelt, and some are clamoring for a modern “New Deal.” Interestingly, each period’s highest paid athlete happens to be a baseball player who dons the Yankee pinstripes. Here’s a breakdown of other cool facts, estimations and more subjective comparisons between the two eras:

U.S. President:
Then:  Franklin D. Roosevelt
Now: Barack Obama

National Unemployment Rate:
Then: 24.9%
Now: 7.2%

NYC Mayor:
Then: John P. O’Brien (Democrat)
Now: Michael Bloomberg (Republican)

NYC Bus and Subway Fare:
Then: $0.05
Now: $2.00

NYC Population:
Then: 6,930,446
Now: 8,274,527

Hot New Chevy Car:
Then: 1933 Chevy Cabriolet
Now: 2009 Chevy Malibu

Average Movie Ticket Price:
Then: $0.23
Now: $7.20

Major Blockbuster Action Film:
Then: “King Kong”
Now: “The Dark Knight”

Average Cost of Gas per Gallon:
Then: $0.10
Now: $1.68

Top Hollywood Actors:
Then: Katharine Hepburn, The Marx Brothers, W.C. Fields
Now: Will Smith, Angelina Jolie, Leonardo DiCaprio

Top Billboard Hits:
Then: “Sophisticated Lady” (Duke Ellington), “Shadow Waltz” (Bing Crosby), “Stormy Weather” (Ethel Waters)
Now:  “Low” (Flo Rida feat. T-Pain), “I Kissed A Girl” (Katy Perry),  “Whatever You Like” (T.I.)

Hot Technology:
Then: Radio
Now: Macbook Air

Cost of Full-Time Tuition at Fordham University:
Then: $210
Now: $37,000

Most Popular Hairstyle:
Then: Waves
Now: Layers

Price of Newsweek Magazine:
Then: $0.10
Now: $3.95

Average Price of Cigarettes:
Then: $0.15
Now:$4.50-$5.00

Most Popular Dance:
Then: Lindy Hop (a swing dance)
Now: The Soulja Boy (ahh youuuuu!)

Drinking Laws:
Then: Prohibition was in effect until Dec. 5, 1933, with the passing of the 21st  Amendment.
Now: The legal drinking age is 21 years old.

Most Popular Baby Names (Male):
Then: Robert, James, John
Now: Aiden, Jayden, Ethan

Most Popular Baby Names (Female):
Then: Mary, Betty, Barbara
Now: Emma, Sophia, Madison

Highest Paid Sports Star:
Then: Babe Ruth ($80,000)
Now: Alex Rodriguez ($28,000,000)

American Life Expectancy In Years (Male):
Then: 58.1
Now: 75.15

American Life Expectancy In Years (Female):
Then: 61.6
Now: 80.97