Blackout chicago 2005...and fill me in on what I miss

As you know.... I was in Toronto last week... How big was the blackout... I saw a news article... and I want to know what happen... Also... what did I miss... while gone for the week.. (went to the Taste today... its got hotter(temperature wise) and much more expensiver, at least all of my friends brought all of the tickets... for $5.50 at dominicks last week, compare to $7 for 11 tickets...)>