The Summer Of Sixty-Nine

During the sixties, college campuses became centers of debate and scenes of protest more than ever before. Great numbers of young adults, baby boomers, reaching military draft age for the selective service and not yet voting age (minimum voting age did not become 18 until 1971), caused a struggle which played out on many campuses as the country became more involved in the Viet Nam War.

Tye Dye shirts were the rage, especially when created with the symbol for peace on the front and back. Then there were the peasant skirts, bell bottoms with embroidered butterflies on the legs, granny dresses, gauze shirts, and body suits that snapped between the legs. On our feet we wore Jesus sandals, chunky or wedged shoes, ribbon shoes, and Capezio flat shoes.
Despite all the unrest caused by the war, we managed to come together on July 19, 1969 to be glued to the TV screens in our living rooms watching the first man to walk on the moon. One month later we watched a whole bunch of hippies congregate on Yasgurs Farm in Bethel, NY for a musical/cultural experience of a lifetime, known as Woodstock.

Janis Joplin at Woodstock

We listened to MacArthur Park, Aquarius, Hot Fun In The Summertime, and The Love Theme From Romeo and Juliet. Hair was long, and Hair was a song on the radio sung by the Cowsills and it was a hit musical on Broadway.

"Yes, those were the days my friend, we thought they'd never end..yes those were the days."