On Woodstock's 40th Anniversary, A Look Back At The Major Events Of 1969 (SLIDESHOW, POLL)

This week marks the 40th anniversary of Woodstock, a musical event that became a symbol of a generation and came to define the tumultuous year that was 1969. In honor of the anniversary, we take you back forty years to show you the major events that impacted our culture and politics leading up to Woodstock, and those that came after. We want to hear your stories in the comments section, and you can vote on which event impacted you most.

January 20 – Nixon sworn in as president, succeeding Johnson as the 37th President of the United States.

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[jrc100]

05:49 PM on 08/15/2009

It's a shame what the music industry has become in the years since Woodstock. Here's an interesting critique from someone who was at Woodstock:

http://www.indypendent.org/2009/08/13/did-woodstock-kill/

[LaylaD]

05:42 PM on 08/13/2009

Hello Woodstockers...

How can I pick one photo when they all mattered and were part of what was happening Having this grouping made me realize how much was going on . Each one of these events was a precurser to the next The culmination being a three day music festival ...that to some lasted a lifetime. The changing times were reflected in the mood of the country, from Nixon, to Vietnam , Man walking on the moon, civil rights , and music was the language of those times. They were the best -- a moment in history where young people's voices were heard and change occcurred. is it better now ? who is to say...Innocence is gone, respect as well....greed and hatred took over where love & peace were once the symbol of everyday life. Perhaps we did take drugs...but in retrospect they were better then the drugs today (prescription as well). We found ourselves in coffee houses in deep long discussions on how to change the world, to stop the wars, and create peace on the planet. Politics was on everyone's mind. To me the 60's was the new Renaissance -- where poets & musicians were born. We had a cause and needed our voices heard. Acid helped, as did Mushrooms, pot and the universal language of Music. Thank you to all those that participated in Woodstock ...a part of me is still in the 60's and refuses to let go of the most incredible era of the modern

[Kitster]

02:29 PM on 08/13/2009

This list is hopelessly incomplete. They neglected the momentous event of my birth, although to be fair I don't think any pictures were taken.

I guess I better not plan on running for president.

[Eddie Bishop]

11:19 AM on 08/13/2009

Graduation... MHS...... 40 year reunion next month !

Freshman year at Boulder OMG !!!