Oct. 15 - Biggest percentage decline since 1987
Dow closed at: 8,577.91
Change in points: -733.08
Percentage change: -7.87%
The Dow has lost nearly 35% so far this year, and on this single day, it lost nearly 8%.
It was the ninth largest percentage decline ever and the biggest percentage drop since October 1987.
The market was spooked that Wednesday by a series of gloomy economic indicators, including a report that showed retail sales suffered their biggest drop in three years.
A comment from San Francisco Federal Reserve President Janet Yellen, the night before, helped drive the point home, when she said that the economy "appears to be in a recession."
The knockout blow came from Fed Chairman Ben Bernanke, who warned that the U.S. economy will take some time to recover - even after credit markets return to normal.
NEXT: Nov. 5-6 - After Obama wins, Dow plunges
Last updated December 29 2008: 2:39 PM ET
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