The Mesopotamian civilization of Sumer emerges in the Ubaid period (6500-3800 BC) and Uruk period (ca. 4000 to 3100 BC), culminating in the mid-3rd millennium before giving rise to the Akkadian Empire in the 24th century BC. This is often identified as the first empire in history.
The 2015 Washington minimum wage is $9.47. Washington's minimum wage applies to workers in both agriculture and non-agricultural jobs, although 14- and 15-year-olds may be paid 85% of the minimum wage ($8.05). Read the September 30, 2014, news release. Print an announcement of the 2015 minimum wage.
The number of months between each of the last three minimum wage increases, to $5.85 in July 2007, then to $6.55 in July 2008, and finally to the current $7.25 minimum in July 2009. The number of states -- not including Washington, D.C. -- that have raised the minimum wage above the federal rate. The highest state minimum wage is in Washington state, at $9.32 an hour -- still below the proposed federal minimum.