US jobless claims at lowest level since 1969

Fewer workers sought jobless benefits in the US last week than at any time since 1969.

Just 187,000 people filed for unemployment, the Labor Department reported. That was down roughly 28,000 from the previous week.

The figures show a stark turnaround in the job market in the US since the start of the coronavirus pandemic.

The news sparked several historic comparisons on social media, with some sharing photos of Woodstock music fest.

"The last time jobless claims fell this low was the same year we landed folks on the moon," said Rep Ted Lieu, Democrat from California.

"The last time weekly jobless claims were this low The Beatles were still together," added Rep Don Beyer, Democrat of Virginia.