The Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA), Dow Jones, or simply the Dow (), is a stock market index of 30 prominent companies listed on stock exchanges in the United States. The DJIA is one of the oldest and most commonly followed equity indices. It is price-weighted, unlike other common indices such as the Nasdaq Composite or S&P 500, which use market capitalization. The primary pitfall of this approach is that a stock's price—not the size of the company—determines its relative importance in the index. For example, as of March 2025, Goldman Sachs represented the largest component of the index with a market capitalization of ~$167B.
Dow Jones Industrial Average closes above 500 for 1st time (500.24)
The Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA), Dow Jones, or simply the Dow (), is a stock market index of 30 prominent companies listed on stock exchanges in the United States.
Historical Significance
The Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA), Dow Jones, or simply the Dow (), is a stock market index of 30 prominent companies listed on stock exchanges in the United States.
Events Before
"The Bob Cummings Show" premieres on NBC (later moves to CBS)
"The Bob Cummings Show" premieres on NBC (later moves to CBS)
Bhutan issues its first postage stamps
The first postage stamps of Bhutan were issued in 1962, the same year that the first motorable road was opened.
Marian Anderson is the first African American to perform with the New York Metropolitan Opera, singing the role of Ulric
Marian Anderson is the first African American to perform with the New York Metropolitan Opera, singing the role of Ulrica in Giuseppe Verdi's "Un ballo in maschera"
American film director Stanley Kubrick (26) weds second wife, Austrian theatrical designer Ruth Sobotka (29); divorce in
American film director Stanley Kubrick (26) weds second wife, Austrian theatrical designer Ruth Sobotka (29); divorce in 1957
"The Millionaire" TV series premieres on CBS
"The Millionaire" TV series premieres on CBS
Events After
Sputnik 1 Launch
The Soviet Union launches Sputnik 1, the world's first artificial satellite, igniting the Space Age and the US-Soviet Space Race.
An Irish Republican Army (IRA) unit attacks Brookeborough Royal Ulster Constabulary barracks in one of the most famous i
An Irish Republican Army (IRA) unit attacks Brookeborough Royal Ulster Constabulary barracks in one of the most famous incidents of the IRA's Operation Harvest
Aviator Howard Hughes marries 2nd wife actress Jean Peters
Aviator Howard Hughes marries 2nd wife actress Jean Peters
South African golfer Gary Player (21) weds childhood sweetheart Vivienne Verwey, until her death in 2021
South African golfer Gary Player (21) weds childhood sweetheart Vivienne Verwey, until her death in 2021
English-American actress Elizabeth Taylor's 2nd divorce from English actor Michael Wilding, after almost 5 years of marr
English-American actress Elizabeth Taylor's 2nd divorce from English actor Michael Wilding, after almost 5 years of marriage
More from the 1950s
Sputnik 1 Launch
The Soviet Union launches Sputnik 1, the world's first artificial satellite, igniting the Space Age and the US-Soviet Space Race.
space explorationscience technology
"The Bob Cummings Show" premieres on NBC (later moves to CBS)
"The Bob Cummings Show" premieres on NBC (later moves to CBS)
death
Emil Jannings dies
Emil Jannings, Swiss-born German actor, known for german actor, died on 1950-01-02. Emil Jannings was a Swiss-born German actor who was popular in Hollywood films in the 1920s.
The European Economic Community comes into effect, better known as the European Common Market
The European Economic Community comes into effect, better known as the European Common Market
Frequently Asked Questions
- What happened on March 12, 1956?
- The Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA), Dow Jones, or simply the Dow (), is a stock market index of 30 prominent companies listed on stock exchanges in the United States. The DJIA is one of the oldest and most commonly followed equity indices. It is price-weighted, unlike other common indices such as the Nasdaq Composite or S&P 500, which use market capitalization.
- Why is Dow Jones Industrial Average closes above 500 for 1st time (500.24) significant?
- The Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA), Dow Jones, or simply the Dow (), is a stock market index of 30 prominent companies listed on stock exchanges in the United States.