Ed Koch served three terms over some of New York's most turbulent years, from 1978 through 1989. The highly opinionated mayor oversaw the city through its recovery from financial collapse, an 11-day transit strike, the Tompkins Square police riots of 1988, explosive racial tension and much more.  

Here are video clips of some of the most memorable moments of Koch's reign:

Koch weighs in on graffiti artists in the seminal documentary Style Wars.

Koch's predecessor, Abe Beame, called the July, 1977 citywide blackout "a night of terror." (Footage of looting, violence and fires starts at 3:30). The event may have worked in Koch's favor politically, as he easily won the mayoral election that fall.

In 1979, the mayor appeared on "Firing Line" with host William F. Buckley, Jr. When asked "Can New York City govern itself?," Koch didn't mince words defending his city.

TV news report on the 1988 riots at Tompkins Square Park, during which police attacked squatters living in the park. Report features home video (low quality).

The AIDS epidemic raged through New York in the 1980's. The advocacy group ACT UP staged a protest in 1989 in an effort to get Koch to take more action.

For the New York Times' analysis of Mayor Koch's career go here.

To see a gallery of images of New York City in the 1980's by Steven Siegel go here.

To reach Executive Producer Lauren Madow go here. Follow her on Twitter.