In 1969

the Dow Jones Industrial Average closed above the 1,000 level for the first time.

Puerto Rico residents voted in a plebiscite to maintain the island’s existing U.S. commonwealth status, derailing the efforts of those favoring statehood.

the U.S. government instituted a partial shutdown, closing national parks and museums while government offices operated with skeleton crews.

Alex Rodriguez of the New York Yankees won his second American League Most Valuable Player award in three seasons.

former GOP presidential candidate Mitt Romney blamed his election loss to “the gifts” that President Barack Obama had given to blacks, Hispanics and young voters during his first term. former Dixon, Ill., comptroller Rita Crundwell pleaded guilty to embezzling $53.7 million over 22 years in the largest municipal graft case in U.S. history, according to prosectors. (She was later sentenced to 19 years, 7 months in federal prison.)

Also in 2012