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mabfanForty years ago today, the northeastern United States and parts of Canada were hit by a series of blackouts that lasted for about thirteen hours. Around 30 million people lost power during that time.
The blackout started at 5:16 PM when a single line of the Niagara generating station tripped. Because it started in the middle of rush hour, millions of commuters were delayed on their way home. Close to 800,000 people were trapped in the subways of New York City.
Another major blackout hit New York City in 1977. In 2003, much of the northeastern United States and Canada was again hit by a blackout. Most of New England, however, managed to remain unaffected, as after 1965 Massachusetts had ordered the power companies to build a series of switches that could isolate New England in the event of another major blackout.
References:
Wikipedia: Northeast Blackout of 1965
Disasters: Northeast Blackout of 1965
This Day in History
The blackout started at 5:16 PM when a single line of the Niagara generating station tripped. Because it started in the middle of rush hour, millions of commuters were delayed on their way home. Close to 800,000 people were trapped in the subways of New York City.
Another major blackout hit New York City in 1977. In 2003, much of the northeastern United States and Canada was again hit by a blackout. Most of New England, however, managed to remain unaffected, as after 1965 Massachusetts had ordered the power companies to build a series of switches that could isolate New England in the event of another major blackout.
References:
Wikipedia: Northeast Blackout of 1965
Disasters: Northeast Blackout of 1965
This Day in History
