1932: The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell to its lowest point during the Great Depression. This event was symptomatic of a decade of economic uncertainty that was precipitated by the crash in the fall of 1929, when U.S. stock prices declined dramatically. The resulting panic devastated the fortunes of many investors and caused major declines in consumption, industrial production, and employment, which in turn affected the U.S. and world economy for the next 10 years. The U.S. stock market had expanded rapidly during the 1920s, attracting many inexperienced investors. (Source: Library of Congress)

1776: First public reading of the Declaration of Independence took place in Philadelphia.