In 2008, to commemorate the 50 year anniversary of the peace symbol, National Geographic published Peace: the Biography of a Symbol, by Ken Kolsbun with Michael S. Sweeney.

The book documents the symbol, from its creation in 1958, through its usage in the folk scene of the 1960s, its very visible presence in the 1970s at Woodstock, Vietnam war protests, and in the artwork of Peter Max, until today, with its wide use in commerce and as a cultural icon.

National Geographic has a moving photo gallery of the peace symbol that you can view here, starting with the gorgeous photo of Arlo Guthrie below by Bettman/CORBIS.

John Lennon Memorial, Photograph by AP/Dima Gavrysh, from National Geographic

Mortarboard With Peace Sign, Photograph by Bettman/CORBIS, from National Geographic

Peace Symbol in the Sand, Photograph by Momatiuk-Eastcott/CORBIS, from National Geographic