The Blackout began at 9:34 p.m. on Wednesday, July 13, 1977.
It occurred when the city was facing a severe financial crisis and its residents were fretting over the Son of Sam murders.
The nation as a whole was suffering from a protracted economic downturn and commentators have contrasted the event with the good-natured Where were you when the lights went out? atmosphere of 1965.
Looting in neighborhoods from East Harlem to Bushwick began almost as soon as the lights went out. The total cost of the destruction and property was estimated at more than $300 million.
Check out this video if you don’t know what “collateral benefit” means:
“Before the Blackout we got only 4 or 5 legitimate deejay crews…
It was a huge contribution to the Hip Hop culture.” DJ Disco Wiz
DJ Clark Kent reveals how he “obtained” his first DJ set at age 11
