During the turbulent era of the 1960s, young people surpassed limits and expectations to properly improve the world. During this time, many people tried to navigate conflicts between racism, sexism, and the turning point in the Vietnam War, the Tet Offensive. This battle took place in 1968 and was a watershed moment in the Vietnam War that ultimately turned many Americans against the bloodshed. “Total casualties – killed, wounded, and missing in action – had grown from 2,500 in 1965 to 80,000 by the end of 1967” (Willbanks 6). The destruction caused by the bloody fighting convinced a growing number of Americans that the cost of the U.S. commitment was too immense. The anti-war movement gained momentum as student protesters and countercultural hippies condemned this type of violence. As a result, many American citizens attended a three-day concert, Woodstock, because they desperately needed a place to be saved from brutality and unrest. A young member of "The Beatles", John Lennon, created music that was essential to the success of the anti-war riots, as well as Woodstock participants justifying the purpose of participation. Woodstock suddenly became a compelling icon; a turn of events in which even all the calamities of the world failed to defeat the notions of peace, harmony and cultural expression driven by young Americans to assert their voice as a generation, through the heartfelt music and proclamations made by Woodstock celebrants. Initially, Woodstock was simply going to be a concert that people could attend and enjoy, free from repression and external war zones. Unexpectedly, approximately 500,000 people were at the gates waiting two days before the concert began (Evans 65). Woodstock didn't expect... halfway through the document... that the world had the potential for different cultures to peacefully unite and celebrate diversity. Woodstock became a rousing symbol showing people's ability to overturn the tragedies of the world to live with the peace, tranquility, and differences imposed by American youth. Works Cited Corry, John. “TV: A 13-Part History of the Vietnam War on PBS.” New York Times (1923-current file): 1. October 4, 1983. ProQuest. Network. July 21, 2014.Evans, Mike and Paul Kingsbury. Woodstock: three days that shook the world. New York: Sterling, 2009. Print.Lennon, John, John Lennon, and Yōko Ono. Give peace a chance. John Lenon. Rec. May 30, 1969. Dave Edmunds, 1969. Audio."Revolutionary Music." PBS. Ed. PBS Organization. PBS, 2005. Web. July 24, 2014. Willbanks, James H. The Tet Offensive: A Concise History. New York: Columbia UP, 2006. Print.