Wednesday, the Dow closed 42.18 points (0.20%) lower at 20,659.32, the NASDAQ closed 22.41 points (0.38%) higher at 5,897.55, and the S&P 500 was down 2.56 points (0.11%) at 2,361.13. The Russell 2000 increased 4.38 points (0.32%) at 1,371.64, and the Wilshire 5000 closed 36.96 points (0.15%) higher at 24,567.99.

On the NYSE, 3.1 billion shares traded, with advancing issues outnumbering declining issues nearly 2 to 1. On the NASDAQ, 3.0 billion shares changed hands, with 3 advancers for every 2 decliners.

ON THIS DATE: In 1822, Florida became a U.S. territory. In 1842, Dr. Crawford W. Long performed the first operation while his patient was anesthetized by ether. In 1858, Hyman L. Lipman of Philadelphia patented the pencil. In 1867, the U.S. purchased Alaska from Russia for $7.2 million dollars. In 1870, the 15th amendment, guaranteeing the right to vote regardless of race, was passed by the U.S. Congress. In 1870, Texas was readmitted to the Union. In 1939, the comic book “Detective Comics #27” appeared on newstands. This comic introduced Batman. In 1964, “Jeopardy” debuted on NBC-TV. In 1981, U.S. President Ronald Reagan was shot and wounded in Washington, D.C., by John W. Hinckley Jr. Two police officers and Press Secretary James Brady were also wounded. In 1998, Rolls-Royce was purchased by BMW in a $570 million deal. In 2009, the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey confirmed that the new World Trade Center building would be officially known by its legal name of “One World Trade Center.”