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John Lennon Remembered On 35th Anniversary Of His Death At Strawberry Fields In New York City

It's Been 35 Years Since John Lennon Was Murdered In New York
Paul Vale
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NEW YORK -- Tuesday marks the anniversary of the murder of one of Britain’s greatest musical icons. Thirty-five years after John Lennon was shot and killed outside his New York City apartment building, fans gathered at the nearby memorial to remember the life and legacy of the former Beatle. Lennon was killed on December 8, 1980, gunned down outside the Dakota building. Opposite the residence (where his widow, Yoko Ono, still lives) sits Strawberry Fields, a permanent tribute to the musician and campaigner on the west side of Central Park.

Lennon, who did more than most to define the Sixties and Seventies as an era, was shot at 10.50pm on that cold December evening. Despite being rushed to the nearby Roosevelt Hospital, the singer and peace campaigner was pronounced dead shortly after his arrival. He was just 40-year-old. His killer, John Mark Chapman, received 20 years to life in prison. He has been denied several attempts at parole, the most recent in August 2014.

Speaking to the parole board last year, the Chapman said: "I am sorry for causing that type of pain. I am sorry for being such an idiot and choosing the wrong way for glory." It’s a murder that still resonates in Lennon’s adopted city and around the world. Below are pictures of people who visited Strawberry Fields on Tuesday to celebrate Lennon’s message. At the centre of the memorial is one world: Imagine…

John Lennon Anniversary
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Flowers are placed on the mosaic named for the John Lennon's song 'Imagine' December 8, 2015 at Strawberry Fields, the Central Park garden dedicated in his honor, in New York. (credit:TIMOTHY A. CLARY via Getty Images)
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People gather at the mosaic named for the John Lennon's song 'Imagine' December 8, 2015 at Strawberry Fields, the Central Park garden dedicated in his honor, in New York. (credit:TIMOTHY A. CLARY via Getty Images)
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Fans of the late John Lennon gather around the 'Strawberry Fields' tile mosaic in Central Park, which was created in tribute to the musician, to mark the 35-year anniversary of his death on December 8, 2015 in New York City. (credit:Andrew Burton via Getty Images)
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John Lennon Memorabilia is sold near the 'Strawberry Fields' tile mosaic in Central Park, which was created in tribute to the late musician, to mark the 35-year anniversary of his death on December 8, 2015 in New York City. (credit:Andrew Burton via Getty Images)
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A plaque marking the 'Strawberry Fields' area of Central Park, which was created in tribute to the late musician John Lennon, is seen on the 35-year anniversary of his death on December 8, 2015 in New York City. (credit:Andrew Burton via Getty Images)
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Fans of the late John Lennon gather around the 'Strawberry Fields' tile mosaic in Central Park, which was created in tribute to the musician, to mark the 35-year anniversary of his death on December 8, 2015 in New York City. (credit:Andrew Burton via Getty Images)
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Fans of the late John Lennon gather around the 'Strawberry Fields' tile mosaic in Central Park, which was created in tribute to the musician, to mark the 35-year anniversary of his death on December 8, 2015 in New York City. (credit:Andrew Burton via Getty Images)
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A fan of the late John Lennon places flowers a top the 'Strawberry Fields' tile mosaic in Central Park, which was created in tribute to the musician, to mark the 35-year anniversary of his death on December 8, 2015 in New York City. (credit:Andrew Burton via Getty Images)
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A fan of the late John Lennon places a pin a top the 'Strawberry Fields' tile mosaic in Central Park, which was created in tribute to the musician, to mark the 35-year anniversary of his death on December 8, 2015 in New York City. (credit:Andrew Burton via Getty Images)
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John Lennon Memorabilia is sold near the 'Strawberry Fields' tile mosaic in Central Park, which was created in tribute to the late musician, to mark the 35-year anniversary of his death on December 8, 2015 in New York City. (credit:Andrew Burton via Getty Images)
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Memorabilia sits a top the 'Strawberry Fields' tile mosaic in Central Park, which was created in tribute to the late musician John Lennon, to mark the 35-year anniversary of his death on December 8, 2015 in New York City. (credit:Andrew Burton via Getty Images)
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Memorabilia sits a top the 'Strawberry Fields' tile mosaic in Central Park, which was created in tribute to the late musician John Lennon, to mark the 35-year anniversary of his death on December 8, 2015 in New York City. (credit:Andrew Burton via Getty Images)
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People gather at the Imagine mosaic in remembrance of John Lennon, in the Strawberry Fields section of New York's Central Park, Tuesday, Dec. 8, 2015. (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
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A picture of John Lennon is surrounded by flowers at Strawberry Fields, the site that pays tribute to Lennon, in Central Park, New York, Monday, Dec. 7, 2015. (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
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Flowers and a homemade tribute left by fans of the legendary musician adorn a memorial to John Lennon at Strawberry Fields in Central Park, one day before the 35th anniversary of his death, Monday, Dec. 7, 2015, in New York. (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
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The Dakota building is seen on the 35-year anniversary of John Lennon's death on December 8, 2015 in New York City. (credit:Andrew Burton via Getty Images)
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