"Reflecting on the 2003 Blackout: 20 Years Later"
On August 14, 2003, a major power outage left about 50 million people across the Northeast, including New York City, in darkness for approximately 29 hours. The blackout caused chaos in the city, with office workers pouring into the streets, traffic lights going out, and the subway system losing power. Thousands were stranded in elevators and subway tunnels. The cause was traced to a power company in Ohio, and power was gradually restored over the following days. Despite the disruption, there were few instances of looting, and New Yorkers made the best of the situation. Improved technology and communication have since been implemented to prevent similar incidents.