What is Woodstock?
Woodstock was a legendary music festival held from August 15 to 18, 1969, on a dairy farm in Bethel, New York. About 400,000 people attended, and it became a symbol of the 1960s counterculture.
Organizers expected around 50,000 people, but crowds far larger arrived, causing massive traffic jams. Fences were torn down, and it became a free event. Despite rain, mud, food shortages and poor sanitation, the festival was remembered as largely peaceful. It was held on Max Yasgur's farm, about 70 kilometers from the town of Woodstock.
Thirty-two acts performed, including Jimi Hendrix, Janis Joplin, The Who, Santana, Jefferson Airplane, Joan Baez, Creedence Clearwater Revival and Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young. Hendrix closed the festival on Monday morning with an electric version of The Star-Spangled Banner.
Legacy
The 1970 documentary Woodstock won an Oscar and spread the festival's fame. It became a symbol of peace, love and music. Anniversary festivals were held in 1994 and 1999, and a planned 50th anniversary event in 2019 was cancelled. The original site now has a museum.
Did You Know?
The festival's official name was the Woodstock Music and Art Fair, promoted as An Aquarian Exposition: 3 Days of Peace and Music.