The historical significance of Wall Street is just as interesting as its name origin. Dutch colonists settling in lower Manhattan decided to construct a wooden barrier in 1653 to protect themselves from enemies, namely the British and Indians. PBS: Selected Wall Street Chronology (October 21, 2004) Later, the British defeated the colonists despite the wall and in a symbol of their victory, tore down the barrier and created a street. In the early 18th century, they deemed it Wall Street and the name has not been changed. PBS: Selected Wall Street Chronology (October 21, 2004) As population and trade interests grew, the area eventually became a popular site for traders and a central location for market transactions.

• 1829: Reaches trading rate of 5,000 shares a day PBS: Selected Wall Street Chronology (October 21, 2004)
• 1844: Telegraph is utilized to transmit market quotes PBS: Selected Wall Street Chronology (October 21, 2004)
• 1878: Installation of telephone on NYSE trading floor PBS: Selected Wall Street Chronology (October 21, 2004)
• 1886: Trading reaches one million in share PBS: Selected Wall Street Chronology (October 21, 2004)
• 1943: Women are allowed onto NYSE trading floor PBS: Selected Wall Street Chronology (October 21, 2004)
• 1962: 17 million Americans own stock PBS: Selected Wall Street Chronology (October 21, 2004)
• 1999: Dow Jones industrial average passes 10,000 points PBS: Selected Wall Street Chronology (October 21, 2004)