Wednesday, the Dow was up 38.46 points (0.15%) at 26,504.00, the NASDAQ climbed 33.44 points (0.42%) to 7,987.32, and the S&P 500 increased 8.71 points (0.30%) to 2,926.46. The Russell 2000 climbed 5.35 points (0.35%) to 1,555.58, and the Wilshire 5000 closed 100.29 points (0.33%) higher at 30,128.96.

ON THIS DATE: In 1782, Congress approved the Great Seal of the United States. In 1863, West Virginia became the 35th state to join the U.S. In 1863, the National Bank of Philadelphia became the first bank to receive a charter from the U.S. Congress. In 1928, Washburn-Crosby Company merged with 26 other mills to become General Mills. In 1955, the AFL and CIO agreed to combine names and a merge into a single group. In 1967, Muhammad Ali was convicted in Houston of violating Selective Service laws by refusing to be drafted. The U.S. Supreme Court later overturned the conviction. In 1977, the Trans-Alaska Pipeline began operation. In 1983, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that employers must treat male and female workers equally in providing health benefits for their spouses. In 1997, the tobacco industry agreed to a massive settlement in exchange for major relief from mounting lawsuits and legal bills.