1999 33c Celebrate the Century,1960s: Woodstock

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US #3188b
1999 Woodstock – Celebrate the Century (1960s)

• Part of the seventh sheet in the Celebrate the Century stamp series issued from 1998-2000
• Commemorates the famous Woodstock music festival
• Includes text on the back with historical details

Stamp Category: Commemorative
Series: Celebrate the Century
Value: 33¢ First Class Mail Rate
First... more

US #3188b
1999 Woodstock – Celebrate the Century (1960s)

Stamp Category: Commemorative
Series: Celebrate the Century
Value: 33¢ First Class Mail Rate
First Day of Issue: September 17, 1999
First Day City: Green Bay, Wisconsin
Quantity Issued: 120,000,000
Printed by: Ashton Potter (USA) Ltd.
Printing Method: Offset, Intaglio
Format: Panes of 15
Perforations: 11.5
Tagging: Block tagging

Why the stamp was issued: To recall the Woodstock music and art festival and its impact on popular culture both at the time and in the future.

About the stamp design: Pictures a reproduction of part of Arnold Skolnick’s Woodstock poster. Includes the following text on the back: “From August 15 to 18, 1969, approximately 500,000 people gathered for the Woodstock Music and Art Fair. This festival of peace and music celebrated the best of the ‘60s youth culture and came to symbolize a generation.”

First Day City: The First Day of Issue Ceremony was held at the Brown County Exposition Center in Green Bay, across the street from Lambeau Field, home of the Green Bay Packers football team.

About the Celebrate the Century series: The USPS launched the Celebrate the Century series in 1998 to mark the end of the 20th century and herald the arrival of the 21st. The series includes 10 sheets of 15 stamps (150 in total), with each honoring important moments from a different decade (1900s, 10s, 20s, 30s, 40s, 50s, 60s, 70s, 80s, and 90s). At the time of completion, it was the longest and most ambitious commemorative stamp series in US history.

History the stamp represents: In August 1969, thousands of people flocked to a New York farm for a weekend of peace, love, and music. Despite overcrowding, rain, and food shortages, they proved peace could win over hate and violence.

During the turbulent 1960s, the hippie culture opposed traditional values and violence. In 1969, four visionaries saw a chance to bring people together and show the world there was another way to live – with freedom and love. They chose to share their message through a music festival in Bethel, New York, near Bob Dylan’s hometown of Woodstock.

The organizers planned for 200,000 people, but more than 400,000 attended. Over three days, 32 acts shared their messages of peace. Among them were The Grateful Dead, Janis Joplin, and Jimi Hendrix. Huddled together in the rain, dancing in the mud, and sharing food and water, the attendees showed that even in harsh conditions, peace could prevail.

The 1970 documentary Woodstock won an Academy Award, further cementing the festival’s place in our culture. The site of the 1969 festival now hosts a museum and was also added to the National Register of Historic Places. Woodstock ’69 inspired countless music festivals and anniversary concerts around the world, but none have ever had the cultural impact of the original.