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Space Shuttle Challenger explodes after liftoff, killing all seven astronauts aboard. In cities like Oakland and San Francisco, the flags began coming down to half-staff. — Jan. 28
Wells Fargo & Co. said it has agreed to acquire Crocker National Corp. for $1.1...billion in a stunning merger of two of San Francisco's oldest and largest banks. — Feb. 7
A week of torrential rains hits Northern California. Floods and mudslides strike Boulder Creek, San Francisco, Walnut Creek, Marin, Russian River, Napa Valley, Yuba River. At least 12 killed and 96 injured. — Feb. 23
After a violent, disputed election, Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos yields power to Corazon Aquino. Many Bay Area Filipinos and Filipino Americans rejoice, and exiled Marcos opponents ponder returning to the islands. — Feb. 25
Nine killed when five-alarm fire levels a square block of Hunters Point industrial complex. "There was one big, giant blast, worse than any earthquake you can imagine," says an injured survivor. — April 5
Actor Clint Eastwood is elected mayor of Carmel. — April 9
Thousands ascend Bay Area peaks in predawn hours to view Halley's Comet before it disappears for another 75 years. — March 22
Chernobyl meltdown causes untold deaths, releases radiation across Europe. The sketchiness of information from the Soviets about the nuclear plant accident near Kiev has brought concern and frustration to Ukrainian emigrés in the Bay Area. — April 30
San Mateo County voters elect a dead man sheriff: Brendan Maguire, who died unexpectedly during his re-election campaign, won about 79 percent of the vote. — June 24
High-end clothier Wilkes Bashford pleads no contest to bilking city garage out of $1...million in rent. Judge orders $750,000 repayment, sentences him to five years' probation and community service. — June 25
UC Regents voted 13-9 to fully divest the university of all investments related to South Africa. — July 19
Philippine President Corazon Aquino visits Bay Area, addressing a UC convocation, fifth-graders in San Francisco, Commonwealth Club and World Affairs Council, City Hall reception and Moscone Center dinner — all in one day. Somehow, she squeezes in a little shopping at Macy's. — Sept. 24
California voters, charged by death-penalty emotions and fueled by a nine-year distrust of their first female chief justice, staged a revolt, tossing Rose Bird and two associate justices off the Supreme Court. Voters approved Proposition 65, the measure to prohibit toxic discharges into drinking water and stunningly rejected the controversial Proposition 64, which would have quarantined those testing positive for AIDS antibodies. — Nov. 5