Hippie Movement

By emills26

  • Vietnam War begins

    War fought between North Vietnam and the government of South Vietnam. The North Vietnamese army was supported by the Soviet Union, China and other communist allies and the South Vietnamese army was supported by the United States, South Korea, Australia, Thailand and other anti-communist allies.

  • Draft Card Burning

    Draft-card burning was an act of American men taking part in the opposition to United States involvement in the Vietnam War. The first well-publicized protest was in December 1963. Eugene Keyes, a 22-year old conscientious objector, set fire to his card on Christmas Day in Champaign, Illinois.

  • Draft Card Burning Becomes Illegal

    The United States Congress enacted a law to broaden draft card violations to punish anyone who "knowingly destroys, knowingly mutilates" his draft card. Subsequently, 46 men were indicted for burning their draft cards at various rallies, and four major court cases were heard.

  • Anti-war Rally in Washington, D.C.

    In the largest demonstration to date, Coretta Scott King, SDS President Carl Oglesby, and Dr. Benjamin Spock, spoke at an anti-war rally of about 30,000 in Washington, D.C..
    On that same day, President Johnson announced a significant escalation of U.S. involvement in Indochina, from 120,000 to 400,000 troops.

  • Antiwar protests held in New York and San Francisco

    In New York, 400,000 people march from Central Park to UN. Speeches were given by Martin Luther King, Stokely Carmichael and Dr. Benjamin Spock. On the same date 100,000, including Coretta Scott King, marched in San Francisco.

  • Summer of Love

    The Monterey Pop Festival from June 16 to June 18 marked the start of the "Summer of Love. Scott McKenzie's rendition of John Phillips' song, "San Francisco," became a hit in the United States and Europe. The "Flower Children" earned their name by passing out flowers on their way to San Francisco.

  • Woodstock Festival

    Over 500,000 people arrived to hear the most notable musicians and bands of the era. Hippie ideals of love and human fellowship gained real-world expression.

  • Vietnam veterans throw away medals

    Vietnam veterans threw away over 700 medals on the West Steps of the Capitol building. The next day, antiwar organizers claimed that 500,000 marched, making this the largest demonstration since the November, 1969 march.

  • First Rainbow Gathering

    A 4 day event was organized by youth counterculture "tribes" based in Northern California and the Pacific Northwest. This was intended to be a one-time event; however, gained national publicity, and has turned into a annual event. People who attended supposedly shared similar ideas of peace, harmony, freedom, and respect.