For months, Chicago politicos have been speculating about whether Mayor Richard M. Daley would seek a record 7th term in office. And the emerging consensus in recent weeks was “yes” he would. So his announcement this week that he’ll step down from office when his current term expires in May 2011 has sent shockwaves through the local political establishment and cracked the foundation of Chicago’s City Hall. Daley’s announcement now means every would-be mayoral aspirant from the West Side to the West Wing is scrambling to figure out whether - and how - they might be able to succeed him. This new “Mayoral Candidate Sweepstakes” promises to overshadow nearly every other political story in this already hot election year in Illinois. While that game ensues, we thought we’d play another: Turning back the clock. Chicagoans first elected Richard M. Daley as mayor 21 years ago - in 1989. Just how long has that been? Well, to put things into perspective, 1989 was the year of: - George H.W. Bush’s inauguration the 41st President of the United States - the fall of the Berlin Wall - the Exxon Valdez oil spill - China’s pro-democracy demonstrations in Tiananmen Square - the U.S. military invasion of Panama, to oust General Manuel Noriega as dictator - the conviction of Oliver North - the fatwa against author Salman Rushdie for his novel The Satanic Verses, issued by Iran’s Ayatollah Khomeini - When Harry met Sally - George Michael’s Faith - Steve Dahl’s live vasectomy on WLUP-AM 1000 - Walter Jacobson’s last broadcast as anchor of WBBM Ch.2’s 10pm newscast. He was succeeded by Linda MacLennan - the debut of former Chicago aldermen Ed Vrdolyak and Cliff Kelley as radio talk show hosts No wonder Daley remarked yesterday at his news conference that “It’s time to move on.” What are your memories and milestones of 1989?