Introduction: Three Days that Defined a Generation (04:05)

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Audience members prepared for a rainstorm on August 17th, 1969. People walked, hitchhiked, and drove to Bethel, New York to participate in Woodstock. It looked like a pilgrimage. (Credits)

Woodstock Idea Origination (03:30)

John Roberts inherited $250,000 after he turned 21. Joel Rosenman played music in the clubs on second and third avenues. The pair created Media Sound where they met Michael Lang and Artie Kornfeld.

Creating an Outdoor Music Festival (02:59)

After producing a disastrous festival in Miami, Lang wanted to create his next one in a bucolic location. After properties in Woodstock and Saugerties could not be secured, Roberts and Rosenman found a location in Wallkill.

Impact of Vietnam War (04:21)

Young people rejected the status quo; politics were the center of the counter-culture movement. Paul George's father supported the war effort and served during World War II. Peter Beren claimed he was a bed-wetting homosexual communist at his physical.

Assassination Impact (02:37)

Martin Luther King's death made individuals feel a societal change was necessary. Robert Kennedy espoused peace and equality.

Musical Impact (04:38)

America's youth took solace in the music of Buffalo Springfield and Bob Dylan. Music encapsulated the counter-culture's political views. Free concerts in San Francisco included Janis Joplin, the Grateful Dead, and Jefferson Airplane.

Three Months Before Woodstock (04:34)

Roberts, Rosenman, Lang, and Kornfeld assembled a team to help produce Woodstock that included Stan Goldstein, John Morris, Chip Monck, Bill Hanley. and Mel Lawrence. The Director of Operations made a checklist of functions. Creedence Clearwater Revival and Jefferson Airplane were the first bands booked.

Woodstock Production Begins (03:29)

Producers hired hundreds of kids to build a stage. The Concerned Citizens Committee of Wallkill attempted to block the festival by passing an ordinance saying only 5,000 people cculd attend a gathering. The festival was relocated to Max Yasgur's dairy farm.

Four Weeks Before Woodstock (02:21)

On the application, producers claim the festival will have 58,000 attendees at most. Bethel approved the permit. Ticket sales estimated 100,000 people.

Woodstock Security (04:05)

Violence erupted at major rock festivals around the country. Goldstein recommended that Hog Farm Commune handle the security for the festival.

Community Reaction (01:32)

No one in Bethel, New York knew the amount of tickets that had been sold for Woodstock. Local residents began to worry about festival.

One Week Before Woodstock (03:25)

Attendees began showing up and camping on the grounds. Producers decided to focus on constructing the stage instead of the gates and fence. "Food for Love" built food stands.

Traffic at Woodstock (03:13)

Bethel residents welcomed concert attendees. The grocery store let fifty people enter at a time. Radio announcements asked people not to come to Bethel.

Friday August 15: Day One (10:26)

Attendees trampled fences. Producers realized they could not collect tickets and announced the concert was free. Richie Havens became the opening act and composed "Freedom" on stage. Helicopters flew in artists.

Saturday August 16: Day Two: Day (19:11)

Overnight, the crowd grew by 100,000. People bathed nude in the river.The Hog Farm built a small stage where other musicians played, cooked food, and constructed "freak out" tents. Local residents donated food for audience members and doctors volunteered free medical care.

Sunday August 17: Day Two: Night (02:45)

Woodstock performers include Janis Joplin, Sly and the Family Stone, Grateful Dead, and The Who.

Sunday August 17: Day Three (10:45)

Jefferson Airplane performed at 6:30 in the morning. The Hog Farm served raw oats with honey and powder milk; the Yasgurs provided milk and yogurt. A thunderstorm disrupted the concert for several hours.

Monday August 18: Day Four (07:26)

Jimi Hendrix performed the "Star Spangled Banner." Most of the crowd had left and Woodstock looked like a battlefield. Audience members helped clean up the location.

Credits: Woodstock: Three Days that Defined a Generation (01:40)

Credits: Woodstock: Three Days that Defined a Generation