The Great Blizzard of 1888 strikes the eastern seaboard

Background. The storm, also called the Great Blizzard of '88, occurred between March 11 and 14, 1888. It is recorded as one of the most severe and deadliest blizzards in American history. While some areas like Cambridge saw comparatively small snowfall, the eastern seaboard faced catastrophic conditions that shut down commerce and resulted in over 400 deaths.

Impact on New York. New York City, located at the southern tip of New York State, was significantly affected. The city's status as a major hub meant the storm's disruption was profound. The transportation gridlock in New York was partially responsible for the creation of the first underground subway system in the United States, which opened in Boston nine years later.

Legacy and Documentation. The event was documented in the first issue of the National Geographic Society magazine in October 1888. The storm's impact on New York transit is noted in historical records, including its role in prompting the opening of New York's first underground subway line in 1904, later expanding into the New York City Subway.