Yesterday, the Dow gained 46.34 points (0.19%) to finish at 23,979.10, the NASDAQ closed 35.23 points (0.51%) higher at 6,950.34, and the S&P 500 increased 8.69 points (0.33%) to 2,613.16. The Russell 2000 was up 1.17 points (0.08%) at 1,514.46, and the Wilshire 5000 gained 59.49 points (0.22%) to close at 27,108.93.

The price of the 10-year Treasury note was down 2/32, increasing its yield to 2.783%. The price of the 30-year Treasury bond was up 6/32, decreasing its yield to 3.012%.

ON THIS DATE: In 1790, the U.S. patent system was established when U.S. President George Washington signed the Patent Act of 1790 into law. In 1849, Walter Hunt patented the safety pin. He sold the rights for $100. In 1866, the American Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) was incorporated. In 1912, the Titanic set sail from Southampton, England. In 1941, during World War II, U.S. troops occupied Greenland to prevent Nazi infiltration. In 1941, Ford Motor Co. became the last major automaker to recognize the United Auto Workers as the representative for its workers. In 1960, the Senate passed the Civil Rights Bill. In 1972, the U.S. and the Soviet Union joined with 70 other nations in signing an agreement banning biological warfare. In 2000, Ken Griffey Jr. became the youngest player in baseball history to reach 400 home runs. He was 30 years, 141 days old. In 2001, Jane Swift took office as the first female governor of Massachusetts.