A '''downgrade''' typically refers to a reduction in the creditworthiness of a nation or institution. Specifically, '''''the''''' downgrade refers to the reduction in the rating of the credit of the [[United States]] from "AAA" (the highest) to only AA+ on August 5, 2011. | A '''downgrade''' typically refers to a reduction in the creditworthiness of a nation or institution. Specifically, '''''the''''' downgrade refers to the reduction in the rating of the credit of the [[United States]] from "AAA" (the highest) to only AA+ on August 5, 2011. |