Unit 20: What can we learn about history by studying the life of a famous person?

History Unit 20: What can we learn about recent history from studying the life of a famous person? Who was John Lennon and what was his childhood like? Do you know who John Lennon is? When do you think these pictures were taken?

History Unit 20: What can we learn about recent history from studying the life of a famous person? How did he become so famous and why were the Beatles so popular? During the 1950s and 1960s new technology allowed more people to listen to music. Transistor radios became available in the early 1950s. They were cheap and portable. This meant that teenagers could afford to listen to the music they liked, wherever they liked. Singles were released on records. These could be played on a gramophone. Singles were not very expensive, which meant that teenagers could buy them. This led to the rise of pop music during the late 1950s and 1960s

History Unit 20: What can we learn about recent history from studying the life of a famous person? How did the Beatles promote themselves and how did this change over time? Here is a picture of the Beatles from the 1960s. How is their image different from popular bands or groups today? Can you find pictures of the Beatles with a different image? What do you think they wanted their image to show? What do you think different people thought of them, e.g. parents, teachers, teenagers, etc.

History Unit 20: What can we learn about recent history from studying the life of a famous person? What was John Lennon known for after the Beatles? After the Beatles split up, John Lennon continued to make music with his wife Yoko Ono, who was an artist. The theme of most of his music was peace and love. Some well known songs are ‘Give Peace A Chance’ and ‘Imagine’. John and Yoko took part in many demonstrations against the Vietnam War, and other conflicts. John also sent back his MBE, an award he had received from the Queen, because he disagreed with the British army taking part in the Vietnam war.

History Unit 20: What can we learn about recent history from studying the life of a famous person? How did people react to the death of John Lennon? On the 8 th of December, 1980, John Lennon was shot four times outside his apartment building. He was rushed to hospital but died later that evening from his injuries People across the world were shocked and saddened by his death and many held candlelit vigils to pray for him. Memorials to John Lennon have since been erected, such as this one in Central Park, New York.