New York City blackout of 1977
On July 13-14, 1977, New York City was affected by a blackout that lasted 25 hours.
Unlike the previous blackout of 1965, or the subsequent blackout of 2003, the 1977 blackout resulted in widespread looting and other disorder including arson. Unlike those two other blackouts, the 1977 event was also localized to New York City alone.
The blackout came at a low point in the city's history, with New York facing a severe financial crisis, and commentators contrasted the event with the good-natured Where were you when the lights went out? atmosphere of 1965. Some pointed to the financial crisis as a root cause of the disorder, others noted the hot July weather. To add to the gloomy mood, the summer of 1977 was also the time of the Son of Sam serial killings.
The police made about 4000 arrests, but were unable to control events. Damage was estimated at about $60 million dollars (in 1977 dollars).
The cause of the blackout was said to be a series of four lightning strikes to vital power lines north of the city (the first at 8:37 pm). Mayor Abraham Beame strongly criticized the power utility Consolidated Edison for allowing the blackout to happen.
New York's subsequent strong financial recovery in the 1980s and 1990s under mayors such as Ed Koch and Rudy Giuliani did much to erase the crisis of self-confidence of which the 1977 event was perhaps the lowest point.