On March 20, 1602, the States-General of the Netherlands established the Dutch East India Company (VOC). The creation edict granted VOC a monopoly over Dutch colonial activities in Asia for twenty-one years. During that time, VOC became the world's first multinational company and the first to issue stock. Read a history of the VOC and view the world's oldest share of stock, as issued by the VOC.

Source: New York Times March 19, 2023 23:01 UTC