There are few people that have ever lived, who have changed the world and made such an enormous impact, that subsequently results in their memory being upheld, almost as sacred, all over the world, decades after their death. Jesus is the obvious one, Saint Patrick is another, whose lives we celebrate either with an evergreen tree or with green tshirts, hats and a pint. However, yesterday it was John Lennon that the world (or at least a small portion of it) celebrated. October 9th would have been John Lennon's 72nd birthday, and fans gathered to his star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

Lennon was shot and killed three weeks after his album 'Double Fantasy' was released in 1980, aged just 40. His lasting contribution to the world, in his preaching of peace, love and acceptance, and has culminated and manifested in a variety of ways. Philip Lopez, who made the pilgrimage to Lennon's star of fame, named his own son Lennon after the musician and peace activist. Lennon himself, speaking to the LA Times, aged just 5 says he likes the song 'All the People'.

Other monuments, events and awards in his honour include: the Liverpool John Lennon Airport, in the city where he was born, which is named after him; the Strawberry Fields, in New York's Central Park, is dedicated to Lennon; in Japan, a John Lennon museum was open for ten years; the John Lennon Peace Monument was unveiled two years ago, and the Lennonono Grant For Peace is given by Yoko Ono every other year. Towards the end of his life Lennon devoted a huge amount of energy and time, alongside Yoko, into peace activism, and arguably his most famous lyrics read, from little Lennon's favourite song: 'Imagine all the people living in peace'.

Though the Beatles have famously, and controversially, been said to have been bigger than Jesus, it is unlikely that John Lennon will also be remembered in such a way in 2000 years, but let us merely hope that his residual message of peace is his final and most permanent legacy.