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Inauguration is Gen Y's Woodstock
By AprillBrandon in Pop Goes the Culture
January 22, 2009

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At least according to the San Francisco Chronicle. Across the nation, 20-somethings drove, hitchhiked, biked, swam, hop scotched, you name it, to one of the biggest events in Gen. Y's lifetime.

(If you need proof, just check out Facebook statuses for Tuesday, where it seemed 98 percent of them said "In D.C. watching the inauguration").

According to experts, "Just as Woodstock was for their parents, Obama's moment assuming the presidency represents a generational touchstone event - one that will define Millennials' lives, their age and their experience and become the event they will tell their kids and grandkids about."

And just like Woodstock, 40 years from now millions of people my age will be claiming they were at the inauguration, even though they weren't (it's estimated only 400,000 people attended Woodstock and yet 8 out of 10 of my relatives say they were there...nice try Uncle Rick).

The Woodstock/Inauguration comparison goes further with this being our moment to claim the generational shift of power. According to Morley Winograd, a fellow at NDN, a progressive think tank and advocacy organization, this was the moment for Gen. Y to voice what they think American's future should be like.  

"They are going to celebrate that and underline it for all of America. Of course, the race relations breakthrough is huge, and the media will be focused on it ... but the generational difference, the moment the generational shift takes place, is also an important story," Winograd said.

So, while there were far less sex, drugs and rock 'n roll, the inauguration is definitely going to be one of those "where were you when it happened" moments for us young'uns.

And I can't wait to tell my kids I was there (What? They can't prove I wasn't).