Lessons From the 2003 Northeast Blackout Listen Download Embed Share Share this on Facebook (Opens in a new window) Share this on Twitter (Opens in a new window) Share this via Email The sun sets over the Manhattan skyline August 14, 2003 during a major power outage affecting a large part of the north eastern United States and Canada. ( Robert Giroux / Getty ) Produced by Mythili Rao Produced by PRI and WNYC