PHOTOS: Relive the Northeast blackout that enveloped NYC in darkness 20 years ago

The sun sets over the Manhattan skyline on August 14, 2003, during a major power outage which affected a large part of the northeast U.S. and Canada.
The sun sets over the Manhattan skyline on August 14, 2003, during a major power outage which affected a large part of the northeast U.S. and Canada. Photo credit Robert Giroux/Getty Images

NEW YORK (1010 WINS) -- On a hot, humid Aug. 14, 2003, the power grids in the Northeast went down, sparking a blackout that stretched to Detroit. In New York City, this stalled the subways, stranded commuters at Penn Station, closed beaches, and threw the entire "City That Never Sleeps" into darkness.

The power was slowly restored in the next two days, until everything was back up and running on Aug. 16. Twenty years later, the images of a New York without power endure, looking just as impossible now as in 2003.

Vendors outside Penn Station scoop out ice cream for stranded commuters.
Vendors outside Penn Station scoop out ice cream for stranded commuters. Photo credit Matthew Peyton/Getty Images
Buckets of ice weren't affected by the power outage, as two vendors sell beer during the 2003 blackout.
Buckets of ice came in handy during the power outage, as two vendors sell beer during the 2003 blackout. Photo credit Spencer Platt/Getty Images
Stranded travelers at Penn Station wait on the street during the massive blackout.
Stranded travelers at Penn Station wait on the street during the massive blackout. Photo credit Matthew Peyton/Getty Images
People walk down Brooklyn Bridge during a massive blackout Aug. 14, 2003 in New York City.
People walk down Brooklyn Bridge during a massive blackout Aug. 14, 2003 in New York City. Photo credit Jonathan Fickies/Getty Images
All lights were out in Times Square during the East Coast blackout.
All lights were out in Times Square during the East Coast blackout. Photo credit Matthew Peyton/Getty Images
Cars head over the Brooklyn Bridge beside a blacked out New York City skyline.
Cars head over the Brooklyn Bridge beside a blacked-out New York City skyline. Photo credit Spencer Platt/Getty Images
In the dark of a night without power, people in New York walk down the street holding candles.
In the dark of a night without power, people in New York walk down the street holding candles. Photo credit Spencer Platt/Getty Images
A person lights a fire on the curb in New York City.
A flare sits on a curb in New York City as people pass by. Photo credit Spencer Platt/Getty Images
Philip Wilentz of Brooklyn Heights watches television powered by his car cigarette lighter.
Philip Wilentz of Brooklyn Heights watches television powered by his car cigarette lighter. Photo credit Robert Giroux/Getty Images
Commuters stand in a bus displaying "Not in Service" during a massive blackout on Aug. 15, 2003 in New York City
Commuters stand in a bus displaying "Not in Service" during a massive blackout on Aug. 15, 2003 in New York City. Photo credit Mario Tama/Getty Images
New York wasn't the only city that blacked out in 2003. Here, a family of tourists from Dorset, England is stranded in Toronto's Union Station without air conditioning.
New York wasn't the only city that blacked out in 2003. Here, a family of tourists from Dorset, England is stranded in Toronto's Union Station without air conditioning. Photo credit Deborah Baic/Getty Images
A man sleeps in Times Square on August 15, the second day of the blackout.
A man sleeps in Times Square on August 15, the second day of the blackout. Photo credit Matthew Peyton/Getty Images
Stranded travellers gather in Grand Central Station on the second day of the blackout.
Stranded travellers gather in Grand Central Station on the second day of the blackout. Photo credit Mario Tama/Getty Images
Two people sleep in New York's Bryant Park during the blackout.
Two people sleep in New York's Bryant Park during the blackout. Photo credit Jose Jimenez/Primera Hora/Getty Images
People sleep on the sidewalk outside the Renaissance Hotel during the blackout on Aug. 15, 2003
People sleep on the sidewalk outside the Renaissance Hotel during the blackout on Aug. 15, 2003. Photo credit Matthew Peyton/Getty Images
A woman holds up a sign as the Good Morning America show tapes in Bryant Park on the second day of the blackout.
A woman holds up a sign as the Good Morning America show tapes in Bryant Park on the second day of the blackout. Photo credit Mario Tama/Getty Images
Hundreds of people stand outside Grand Central Station during a blackout on Aug. 15, 2003
Hundreds of people stand outside Grand Central Station during a blackout on Aug. 15, 2003. Photo credit Jose Jimenez/Primera Hora/Getty Images

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Featured Image Photo Credit: Robert Giroux/Getty Images