By: Henry Eden ~Staff Writer~

Thirty five years after his death, the world still continues to celebrate and remember the life of John Lennon in a big way. October 9 marked what would have been the singer’s 75th birthday. Lennon’s legacy is one that goes far beyond what he did as one of the founders of Britain’s Fab Four. Different groups and cities throughout the world choose to honor the man’s work as one of history’s most influential musicians, but also for his presence as an activist and leader in the antiwar movement of the 60’s and 70’s.

In Los Angeles, a celebration featuring live music was held at the singer’s star on the Hollywood walk of fame. This year, Oct. 9 was declared “John Lennon Peace Day” in L.A. Lennon’s hometown of Liverpool, England is home to an annual celebration for its most famous resident. A slough of musical acts performed at Liverpool’s Cavern throughout the night, the most notable being The Quarrymen. This group, as many may know, was Lennon’s first musical act that eventually morphed into The Beatles. Three of the Quarrymen’s original members headlined the evening’s performers.

Probably the most notable tributes to Lennon was that of his widow, Yoko Ono. The Imagine Peace Tower, named after what became Lennon’s best selling single, was unveiled to the public on Lennon’s birthday in 2007. The tower is located in Iceland, and consists of a stone monument within a wishing well that radiates several tall beams of light into the sky. The words “Imagine Peace” are inscribed in the stone in 24 different languages. The tower is lit each year from Oct. 9th until Dec. 8th, the day that Lennon was shot in 1980.

Three days before her arrival in Iceland for the Monument’s lighting, Ono also organized a giant human peace sign in Manhattan’s Central Park. Ono created the event with John’s famed “Imagine Peace” principal in mind. More than 2,000 New Yorkers attended the event, and an aerial video of the giant formation was trending on Facebook later that day.