Thomas Alva Edison was awarded more patents on inventions
than any of other American. When he died in 1931, Americans wondered how they
could best show their respect for him. One suggestion was that
the nation observe a minute or two of total blackout. All electric power
would be shut off in homes, streets, and factories. Perhaps
this suggested plan made Americans realize fully what Edison and his inventions
meant to them. Electric power was too important to the country. Shutting it off
for even a short time would have led to complete confusion. A blackout was out
of the question. On the day of Edison’s funeral, many people
silently dimmed their lights. In this way they honored the man who had done more
than anyone else to put the great force of electricity at his countrymen’s
fingertips. What does the underlined "blackout" mean in this passage
A.A period of darkness caused by an electrical power failure.
B.A temporary loss of consciousness, sight or memory.
C.A covering for windows that stops light being seen from outside, or light
outside from coming into a room.
D.A situation when the government or the public will not allow any news or
information on a particular subject to be given to the public.