Historic front page from the Des Moines Register, Dec. 7, 1986: Photos depict Farm Crisis

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A collapse in farm prices and high debt lead to the Farm Crisis of the 1980s, when thousands of farmers lose their land and way of life in bankruptcy auctions on courthouse steps. Des Moines Register photojournalist David Peterson makes three month-long journeys across Iowa to document the unfolding tragedy. On Dec. 7, 1986, a front-page photo shows displaced farmer Elmer Steffes holding one of the white crosses that became the symbol of the crisis. A brief editor's essay accompanying the photo sends readers to a special section featuring Peterson's visual essay. His work goes on to win the 1987 Pulitzer Prize for feature photography.

Each day this month, as the Register marks its 175 ^th birthday, we’re sharing front pages from noteworthy moments in history.

This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Historic front page from the Des Moines Register, Dec. 7, 1986: Photos depict Farm Crisis