Although, it was not the first festival of its kind, Woodstock is still the go to name when it comes to the definition of the word.
The Woodstock Music and Art Fair, was held from August 15 to 18, in1969, on Max Yasgur's dairy farm in Bethel, New York. The 3 Days of Peace & Music" turned out more than 460,000 people, with thirty-two acts performing outside in sporadic rain. It launched or defined the careers of some of the most legendary bands in rock history, including The Who, Jimi Hendrix, Janis Joplin, Three Dog Night, Santana, & Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young. The counterculture movement of the 60’s mark it as the peak of their time in history and defined the “Baby Boomers”, as almost every single one would brag that they were there, even if it was numerically impossible.
In 1970 a documentary and soundtrack was released for the film, making it an even bigger hit, as the event and what occurred during the three days inspired a slew of festivals after it, trying to replicate the historic moment in time that it was. Two other festivals bore the name after 69, that occurred in the 90’s, and though the second Woodstock mirrored the success of the first one, the third one in 99 was marred by violence that broke out as a result of overpricing, restrictions, weather, and lack of versatility of the bands that played.
However you want to look at it Woodstock is a pivotal moment in time that marked the height of the 60’s for all following generations to see.