In the week ending September 15, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims for unemployment insurance was 201,000, a decrease of 3,000 from the previous week’s unrevised level of 204,000, the Labor Department reported. This is the lowest level for initial claims since November 15, 1969, when it was 197,000. The four-week moving average was 205,750, a decrease of 2,250 from the previous week’s unrevised average of 208,000. This is the lowest level for this average since December 6, 1969, when it was 204,500.

Existing-home sales remained steady in August after four straight months of decline, according to the National Association of Realtors. Sales gains in the Northeast and Midwest canceled out downturns in the South and West. Total existing-home sales, which are completed transactions that include single-family homes, townhomes, condominiums and co-ops, did not change from July and remained at a seasonally adjusted rate of 5.34 million in August. Sales are now down 1.5% from a year ago (5.42 million in August 2017).

Thursday, the Dow climbed 251.22 points (0.95%) to 26,656.98, the NASDAQ closed 78.19 points (0.98%) higher at 8,028.23, and the S&P 500 increased 22.80 points (0.78%) to 2,930.75. The Russell 2000 was up 17.25 points (1.01%) at 1,720.18, and the Wilshire 5000 gained 229.94 points (0.76%) to finish at 30,462.29.

ON THIS DATE: In 1792, the French National Convention voted to abolish the monarchy. In 1784, “The Pennsylvania Packet and Daily Advertiser” was published for the first time in Philadelphia. It was the first daily paper in America. In 1893, Frank Duryea took what is believed to be the first gasoline- powered automobile for a test drive. The “horseless carriage” was designed by Frank and Charles Duryea. In 1897, the New York Sun ran the “Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus” editorial. It was in response to a letter from 8-year-old Virginia O’Hanlon. In 1937, J.R.R. Tolkien’s “The Hobbit” was first published. In 1949, Communist leaders proclaimed The People’s Republic of China. In 1957, “Perry Mason”, the television series, made its debut on CBS-TV. In 1970, “NFL Monday Night Football” made its debut on ABC-TV. The game was between the Cleveland Browns and the New York Jets. The Browns won 31-21. In 1973, Henry Kissinger was confirmed by the U.S. Senate to become 56th Secretary of State. He was the first naturalized citizen to hold the office of Secretary of State. In 1981, the Senate confirmed Sandra Day O’Connor to be the first female justice on the U.S. Supreme Court. In 1996, the board of all-male Virginia Military Institute voted to admit women.