Yesterday, the Dow climbed 46.16 points (0.25%) to 18,538.12, the NASDAQ closed 26.01 points (0.50%) higher at 5,275.91, and the S&P 500 was up 6.50 points (0.30%) at 2,186.48. The Russell 2000 increased by 1.54 (0.12%) to 1,253.37, and the Wilshire 5000 gained 37.28 points (0.16%) to finish at 22,723.98.

On the NYSE, 3.1 billion shares changed hands, with 1.4 advancing issues for every declining issue. On the NASDAQ, nearly 3 billion shares traded, with a slight lead for advancers.

ON THIS DATE: In 1813, the nickname “Uncle Sam” was first used as a symbolic reference to the United States. The reference appeared in an editorial in the New York’s Troy Post. In 1915, Johnny Gruelle received a patent for his Raggedy Ann doll. In 1921, Margaret Gorman of Washington, D.C. was crowned the first Miss America in Atlantic City, New Jersey. In 1930, the cartoon “Blondie” made its first appearance in comic strips. In 1963, the National Professional Football Hall of Fame was dedicated in Canton, Ohio. In 1966, the final episode of the original “The Dick Van Dyke Show” was aired on CBS-TV. In 1971, “The Beverly Hillbillies” was seen for the final time on CBS-TV. In 1977, the Panama Canal treaties were signed by U.S. President Carter and General Omar Torrijos Herrera. The treaties called for the U.S. to turn over control of the canal’s waterway to Panama in the year 2000. In 1979, ESPN, the Entertainment and Sports Programming Network, made its debut on cable TV. In 1986, Dan Marino of the Miami Dolphins threw his 100th career touchdown pass in only his 44th NFL game, setting an NFL record. In 1989, legislation was approved by the U.S. Senate that prohibited discrimination against the handicapped in employment, public accommodations, transportation and communications.