2008: The most volatile market ever

This is from Bespoke:

Over the last 50 trading days, the average absolute daily percentage change of the S&P 500 has been...wait for it...3.82%!  That means the S&P 500 is averaging a daily move of up or down nearly 4%.  This is definitely one of the craziest statistics of the current bear market, and unfortunately, the majority of the daily moves have been down.  In the history of the S&P 500, there has never been a more volatile period.  Back in February of last year, the 50-day average absolute change was just 0.33%.  When we ever do get back to daily moves of less than 1%, traders are going to be falling asleep at their desks after going through this turmoil.