The critical year of 1969 was the epicenter of The Beatles’ final album, Abbey Road. Months before the album was released, many significant events had already transpired over that year.

  In June of ‘69, President Richard Nixon took steps to maintain his campaign promise of ending the Vietnam War by announcing the withdrawal of 25,000 American troops from Southeast Asia. This would be the beginning of the end of American military involvement in Vietnam, as the U.S. officially left the war in 1973. The Beatles have a song discussing the events in Vietnam, “Revolution”, but it was released in 1968, before Abbey Road. 

  On July 20th, the U.S. took great strides in the Space Race when three American astronauts from Apollo 11 walked on the moon, which had never been done before in history. This became a groundbreaking event that led to increased American involvement in space exploration. 

  While 1969 featured many joyous events, they were countered by tragic ones, highlighted by Charles Manson’s two-night murderous rampage of eight individuals in early August, one of which was well-known actress Sharon Tate. America fell into a state of shock and confusion following Manson’s heinous act.

  The somber mood was lightened by Woodstock, a three-day music festival that showcased the “counterculture” movement of the time period. There was lots of sex, drugs, and rain over these three days, but the festival turned out to be an overwhelming success. Performers included Jimi Hendrix, The Who, and Janis Joplin. The Beatles, however, passed up on the offer. 

  Ironically, just days before Abbey Road was released, a report surfaced claiming that band member Paul McCartney was killed in a car crash years earlier and replaced by a similar-looking individual. The story was spread around the world, leaving Beatles fans puzzled as to whether this was true, and creating even more anticipation over their upcoming album release. Fans found many lyrics in the band’s songs hinting at the death of McCartney, but after some personal amusement from the fiasco, he came out and shut down the outrageous rumors. 

  On September 26th, Abbey Road was made available to Beatles’ fanatics across the world. Although no one knew it at the time, this would become known as their last recorded album together. 

  The Beatles established a musical legacy that few have reached before, and their songs will last forever in both the minds and hearts of music enthusiasts.