John Lennon Role Model Timeline

Born

Oct 9, 1940

Born in Liverpool, England during a blitzkrieg attack by the German Luftwaffe.

Formed first band

Sep 1, 1956

The Beatles evolved from Lennon's first band, the Quarrymen. Named after Quarry Bank High School, the group was established by him when he was 15, and began as a skiffle group.

Meeting Paul McCartney

Jul 6, 1957

Lennon first met Paul McCartney at the Quarrymen's second performance, held in Woolton at the St. Peter's Church garden fête, after which McCartney was asked to join the band.

George Harrison joins the Quarrymen

Jul 1, 1958

The Quarrymen first recordingGeorge Harrison, a friend of Paul, joins the Quarrymen

Lennon's Mother Dies

Jul 15, 1958

John's mother is killed by an auto while crossing the road.

Married Cynthia Powell

Aug 23, 1962

John Lennon marries his high school sweetheart

First child born

Apr 8, 1963

Julian Lennon was born to John and Cynthia

"In His Own Write" published

Mar 23, 1964

John's first book, In His Own Write, is published.

"A Spaniard in the Works" published

Jun 24, 1965

A Spaniard in the Works, John's second book, is published

Last Beatles Concert

Aug 29, 1966

The Beatles give their last concert at Candlestick Park in San Francisco.

John meets Yoko Ono

Nov 9, 1966

John meets Yoko Ono at a preview of her art show, Exhibition #2, at London's Indica Gallery.

Divorce

Nov 8, 1968

John and Cynthia are divorced

Married Yoko Ono

Mar 20, 1969

Lennon and Yoko Ono were married in Gibraltar and spent their honeymoon in Amsterdam campaigning with a week-long Bed-In for peace.

Lennon protests about the Vietnam War

Sep 1, 1969

Lennon returned his MBE (Member of the British Empire), awarded by Queen Elizabeth to the Beatles in 1965, in protest over Great Britain's support for the Vietnam War.

Recorded song "Give Peace a Chance"

Oct 15, 1969

John Lennon performing "Give Peace a Chance" The song was quickly taken up as an anti-war anthem and sung by a quarter of a million protestors against the Vietnam War in Washington, DC.

Recorded song "Imagine"

Jul 1, 1971

ImagineJohn records "Imagine" at his home studio at Tittenhurst Park.

Lennon performs to free Sinclair

Dec 10, 1971

Lennon performed in Ann Arbor, Michigan, to free John Sinclair, leader of the White Panther Party, who had been arrested for selling two joints of marijuana to undercover policemen. Sinclair was released from prison three days after the rally when the Michigan Supreme Court ruled that the state law regarding marijuana possession was unconstitutional.

Lennon ordered to leave United Stated

Mar 23, 1973

John Lennon was ordered to leave the US within 60 days.

Lennon and Ono held a press conference

Apr 1, 1973

It was held to announce the formation of the conceptual state of "Nutopia"; a place with "no land, no boundaries, no passports, only people", and all of its inhabitants would be ambassadors. The Lennons asked for political asylum in the US while waving the white flag of Nutopia; two white handkerchiefs.

Lennon recieved his green card

Jul 1, 1976

Lennon's application to remain a permanent resident of the U.S. was granted. Shortly after the court's decision, Lennon posed in front of the Statue of Liberty, flashing the peace sign.

Died

Dec 8, 1980

Lennon was murdered by Mark David Chapman.