Lucy Ares, of New York, examines a box of breakfast cereal on Friday, August 15, as she shops by flashlight in a downtown Manhattan supermarket. (Photo: Mary Altaffer/AP Wide World)

Scholastic News Online takes a look at what caused the worst blackout in U.S. history.

We talked to kids across the affected areas to find out what they did when the lights went out. And we asked the experts, what do you need to have on hand to be prepared for another massive blackout?

Use our pop-up diagram to find out how electricity works and how it gets from a power plant to your home.

And let us know what you were doing when the lights went out!

Check back to this site regularly to find out the latest news as America recovers from the 2003 Blackout.