The meaning of "Woodstock" can refer to two main things:
- Etymology and Place Name:
"Woodstock" is of Old English origin, meaning a "clearing in the woods" or "woody place." It originally referred to a market town in Oxfordshire, England, known historically for its royal forest and associations with the English monarchy.
- Cultural Reference - Music Festival:
"Woodstock" popularly refers to the Woodstock Music and Art Fair held in August 1969 near Bethel, New York. This iconic three-day rock music festival attracted around 500,000 young people and featured famous performers like Jimi Hendrix and Janis Joplin. It symbolizes the hippie culture and countercultural movements of the 1960s.
Thus, "Woodstock" can mean either the original English place name describing a woodland clearing or the famous 1969 music festival representing peace, music, and youth culture.
