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When the Woodstock Music & Arts Fair came to an upstate New York dairy farm in 1969, a generation of Americans learned the value of world peace, psychedelic drugs and groovy tunes. It marked the height of the counterculture hippie movement and sent shivers down the spines of conservative suburban dwellers.
RECOMMENDED: Full guide to upstate New York
The three-day event (which spilled into a fourth day) attracted close to 500,000 attendees, far more than its promoters originally anticipated and promised. It was one of the largest music festivals in history.
Nearly 50 years later, Woodstock is being formally commemorated for its cultural significance. The site of the original festival in Bethel, NY, has been named to the National Register of Historic Places, Governor Andrew Cuomo announced on Tuesday.
"Woodstock was a pivotal moment in both New York and American history, bringing together the unique art and music in an event that changed this nation's cultural and political landscape," Cuomo said in a statement. "This prestigious recognition will help preserve a priceless New York landmark for current and future generations of New Yorkers."
In the decades since, music festivals have changed a bit, to say the least. Fests like Lollapalooza and Coachella have become more about brand activations than sticking it to the man. There are still plenty of cult followings that flock to shows with a similar look and feel as Woodstock, but those events focus on little more than an evangelical devotion to a band.
To be fair, there were some pretty compelling balloon ropes at Governors Ball last weekend, so there's that.