U.S. stock indices closed higher again Wednesday, led by banks and technology stocks, according to the Associated Press. The Dow climbed 83.55 points (0.47%) to 17,716.66, the NASDAQ gained 22.67 points (0.47%) to finish at 4,869.29, and the S&P 500 closed 8.94 points (0.44%) higher at 2,063.95. The Russell 2000 increased by 1.36 (0.12%) to 1,110.44, and the Wilshire 5000 was up 81.96 points (0.39%) at 21,132.20.

On the NYSE, 3.2 billion shares traded, with a 1.7 to 1 ration of advancers to decliners. On the NASDAQ, 2.7 billion shares changed hands, with 3 advancing issues for every 2 declining issues.

ON THIS DATE: In 1880, Wabash, Indiana, became the first town to be completely illuminated with electric light. In 1885, Binney & Smith Company was founded in New York City. The company later became Crayola, LLC. In 1889, in Paris, the Eiffel Tower officially opened. In 1906, the Intercollegiate Athletic Association of the United States was founded to set rules in amateur sports. The organization became the National Collegiate Athletic Association in 1910. In 1917, the U.S. purchased and took possession of the Virgin Islands from Denmark for $25 million. In 1918, for the first time in the U.S., Daylight Saving Time went into effect. In 1932, the Ford Motor Co. debuted its V-8 engine. In 1933, the U.S. Congress authorized the Civilian Conservation Corps to relieve rampant unemployment. In 1940, LaGuardia airport in New York officially opened to the public. In 1945, “The Glass Menagerie” by Tennessee Williams opened on Broadway. In 1987, HBO (Home Box Office) earned its first Oscar for “Down and Out in America.” In 1998, Buddy Hackett received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. In 2004, Google Inc. announced that it would be introducing a free e-mail service called Gmail.