Stock indices closed solidly lower, led by a drop in energy companies as the price of crude oil took another tumble, the Associated Press reports. The Dow lost 109.85 points (0.64%) to finish at 16,964.10, the NASDAQ closed 59.43 points (1.26%) lower at 4,648.82, and the S&P 500 was down 22.48 points (1.12%) at 1,979.28. The Russell 2000 decreased 26.27 points (2.40%) to 1,067.87, and the Wilshire 5000 fell 257.20 points (1.25%) to 20,267.18.

On the NYSE, 3.2 billion shares traded, with a 3 to 1 lead for decliners. On the NASDAQ, 2.9 billion shares changed hands, with declining issues outnumbering advancing issues more than 3 to 1.

ON THIS DATE: In 1788, Connecticut became the fifth state to join the United States. In 1820, the U.S. Congress passed the Land Act that paved the way for westward expansion of North America. In 1822, Charles M. Graham received the first patent for artificial teeth. In 1863, General Ulysses Grant was appointed commander-in-chief of the Union forces. In 1933, the U.S. Congress began its 100 days of enacting New Deal legislation. In 1945, during World War II, U.S. B-29 bombers launched incendiary bomb attacks against Japan. In 1949, the first all-electric dining car was placed in service on the Illinois Central Railroad. In 1959, Mattel introduced Barbie at the annual Toy Fair in New York. In 1964, production began on the first Ford Mustang. In 1985, “Gone With The Wind” went on sale in video stores across the U.S. for the first time. In 1990, Dr. Antonia Novello was sworn in as the first female and the first Hispanic surgeon general.