Three Years of Bouncing Back

This week marks the three-year anniversary of the low point of the Dow Jones average during the recession and financial meltdown. On March 6, 2009, three years ago today, the Dow bottomed out at 6,469 in intraday trading. Its lowest close would come three days later, on March 9, when it finished the day at 6,547.

The Dow has nearly doubled since that point. On its way back up from that historic low, it has risen much faster than it did the first time it climbed this high. Here's a look at some of the historic milestone numbers the Dow passed on its way down prior to hitting bottom three years ago, as well as on the way back up (dates are noted for when the Dow closed at each figure):

• 12,000 On the way down: June 19, 2008. On the way up: February 1, 2011
  
• 11,000 On the way down: September 26, 2008. On the way up: October 8, 2010
  
• 10,000 On the way down: October 3, 2008. On the way up: October 14, 2009
  
• 9,000 On the way down: January 2, 2009. On the way up: July 23, 2009
  
• 8,000 On the way down: February 9, 2009. On the way up: April 3, 2009
  
• 7,000 On the way down: February 27, 2009. On the way up: March 12, 2009