On this day in 1970, a huge anti-war rock festival was held at Shea Stadium in New York

Billed as the Festival for Peace, it was the second in a series of events with the purpose of raising funds for anti-war political candidates. The first, the Winter Festival for Peace was held earlier in the year.

The date selected was of interest as it marked the 25th anniversary of the U.S. first use of an atomic weapon in the bombing of Hiroshima. Due to the festivals fundraising purposes, many of the artists billed to perform donated their time and performances for the cause.

Along the musicians to play were Paul Simon, Creedence Clearwater Revival, Steppenwolf, Miles Davis, Herbie Hancock and Janis Joplin. The Festival for Peace would soon be immortalised as one of Joplin’s last performances, as well as a reunion and last performance with her former band, Big Brother & the Holding Company.