The counterculture was a youth-led cultural phenomenon in the Western world during the 1960s and early 1970s.

It was characterized by a rejection of mainstream societal norms, including materialism, conformity, and traditional authority.

The movement was closely associated with opposition to the Vietnam War.

Adherents, often called 'hippies,' promoted ideals of peace, love, and community.

Key aspects of the counterculture included rock and roll music, experimentation with psychedelic drugs like LSD, and a more open attitude towards sexuality.

It also involved an interest in Eastern religions, environmentalism, and communal living.

The 'Summer of Love' in San Francisco's Haight-Ashbury district in 1967 was a major gathering point for the movement.

The Woodstock music festival in 1969 is considered the defining event of the counterculture, attracting hundreds of thousands of people.

The movement had a lasting impact on fashion, music, art, and social attitudes.

While the counterculture itself faded by the mid-1970s, many of its liberal values were gradually absorbed into mainstream society.