Wednesday, the Dow decreased 59.44 points (0.29%) to 20,591.86, the NASDAQ closed 30.61 points (0.52%) lower at 5,836.16, and the S&P 500 was down 8.85 points (0.38%) at 2,344.93. The Russell 2000 lost 17.75 points (1.29%) to close at 1,359.19, and the Wilshire 5000 fell 134.20 points (0.55%) to 24,425.49.

On the NYSE, 3.1 billion shares changed hands, and on the NASDAQ, 2.9 billion shares traded, with declining issues outnumbering advancing issues more than 2 to 1 on both exchanges.

The price of the 10-year Treasury note was up 9/32, decreasing its yield to 2.266%. The price of the 30-year Treasury bond increased 15/32, bringing its yield down to 2.908%.

ON THIS DATE: In 1775, Lord North extended the New England Restraining Act to South Carolina, Virginia, Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Maryland. The act prohibited trade with any country other than Britain and Ireland. In 1782, Washington, North Carolina, was incorporated as the first town to be named for George Washington. In 1860, the first mail was delivered via Pony Express when a westbound rider arrived in Sacramento, California, from St. Joseph, Missouri. In 1861, after 34 hours of bombardment, the Union-held Fort Sumter surrendered to Confederates. In 1870, the Metropolitan Museum of Art was founded in New York City. In 1943, U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt dedicated the Jefferson Memorial. In 1954, Hank Aaron debuted with the Milwaukee Braves. In 1964, Sidney Poitier became the first black person to win an Oscar for best actor. It was for his role in the movie “Lilies of the Field.” In 1976, the U.S. Federal Reserve introduced $2 bicentennial notes. In 1997, Tiger Woods became the youngest person to win the Masters Tournament at the age of 21. He also set a record when he finished at 18 under par. In 1998, NationsBank and BankAmerica Corp. announced a $62.5 billion merger, creating the country’s first coast-to-coast bank.