Yesterday, the Dow closed 14.24 points (0.08%) lower at 18,529.29, the NASDAQ decreased 7.98 points (0.15%) to 5,213.14, and the S&P 500 decreased by 1.98 (0.09%) to 2,180.89. The Russell 2000 closed 10.48 points (0.86%) higher at 1,230.42, and the Wilshire 5000 was down 6.64 points (0.03%) at 22,627.91.

On the NYSE, 3.1 billion shares traded, with 1.3 advancing issues for every declining issue. On the NASDAQ, 2.7 billion shares changed hands, with a slight lead for decliners.

ON THIS DATE: In 1831, the first steam locomotive began its first trip between Schenectady and Albany, New York. In 1842, the U.S. and Canada signed the Webster-Ashburton Treaty, which solved a border dispute. In 1854, “Walden” was published by Henry David Thoreau. In 1859, the escalator was patented by Nathan Ames. In 1892, Thomas Edison received a patent for a two-way telegraph. In 1910, A.J. Fisher received a patent for the electric washing machine. In 1936, Jesse Owens won his fourth gold medal at the Berlin Olympics. He was the first American to win four medals in one Olympics. In 1944, the Forest Service and the Wartime Advertising Council created “Smokey the Bear.” In 1945, the U.S. dropped an atomic bomb on Nagasaki. The bombing came three days after the bombing of Hiroshima. About 74,000 people were killed. In 1974, U.S. President Richard Nixon formally resigned. Gerald R. Ford took his place, and became the 38th president of the U.S. In 1975, the New Orleans Superdome as officially opened when the Saints played the Houston Oilers in exhibition football. In 2004, Donald Duck received the 2,257th star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. In 2004, Trump Hotel and Casino Resorts announced plans to file for Chapter 11 bankruptcy.