Remember John Lennon on the 40th anniversary of his death

December 8 marks the day that prolific musician and peace activist John Lennon was assassinated in 1980. On the 40th anniversary of Lennon's death, the world paid their tributes to the loss of one of the most impactful singer-songwriters of the century. His music lives on within us, in the lyrics of today's musicians, and in the homes of generations to come, touching the lives of so many with his poetry and sentiment for a better world. While all of us can remember him from afar, those closest to him paid tribute via Twitter and beyond, to spread a message of peace and love forever.

“A sad sad day,” wrote Beatles member and Lennon’s songwriting partner Paul McCartney, “but remembering my friend John with the great joy he brought to the world.” He continued “I will always be proud and happy to have known and worked with this incredible Scouser!,”. Alongside McCartney, Ringo Starr wrote, “Tuesday, 8 December 1980 we all had to say goodbye to John peace and love John. I’m asking Every music radio station in the world sometime today play Strawberry Fields Forever. Peace and love.”

Yoko Ono, Lennon's wife had a more targeted sentiment, writing: “The death of a loved one is a hollowing experience,” she writes. “After 40 years, Sean, Julian and I still miss him. ‘Imagine all the people living life in peace.'”

She posted her tweet alongside the harrowing photograph she took of Lennon’s blood-splattered glasses, with text overlayed that reads: “Over 1,436,000 people have been killed by guns in the U.S.A. since John Lennon was shot and killed on Dec. 8, 1980." Calling for gun reform in America and beyond.

While our tribute may not be a heartfelt memory, his spirit lives on in our favourite photographs of the musical legend, which is why we've compiled a selection of the most joyful images of Lennon, below.

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Remembering John Lennon through photographs

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