Saturday 15 June 1968 | Art Event | Coventry Cathedral, Coventry, England
On 15 June 1968, John Lennon and Yoko Ono planted two acorns in the grounds of Coventry Cathedral in Coventry, England, as an artistic statement for world peace. The acorns — one facing east, one facing west — were planted as part of the National Sculpture Exhibition, to which Lennon and Ono had submitted the piece as a collaborative artwork.
The event was one of the first major public collaborations between Lennon and Ono, who had begun their relationship earlier that year. It marked the beginning of a sustained period of peace activism and conceptual art that would define much of Lennon's public life through the early 1970s, culminating in campaigns such as the 'Bed-Ins for Peace' in Amsterdam and Montreal in 1969, and the recording of 'Give Peace a Chance'.
Coventry Cathedral
Coventry Cathedral holds particular significance as a symbol of peace and reconciliation. The original medieval cathedral was destroyed in the German bombing of Coventry on 14 November 1940; the ruins were preserved and a new cathedral, designed by Sir Basil Spence, was consecrated alongside them in 1962. The juxtaposition of destruction and renewal made it a powerful setting for Lennon and Ono's peace gesture.
John and Yoko's Peace Campaigns
The acorn planting at Coventry Cathedral was the first in a series of high-profile peace actions by Lennon and Ono. In March 1969, they staged their first 'Bed-In for Peace' at the Amsterdam Hilton during their honeymoon; a second followed in Montreal in May 1969, during which 'Give Peace a Chance' was recorded. In 1971, Lennon released Imagine, which became one of the most enduring peace anthems in popular music.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did John Lennon plant acorns at Coventry Cathedral?
John Lennon and Yoko Ono planted two acorns at Coventry Cathedral on 15 June 1968 as a conceptual art piece and statement for world peace, submitted to the National Sculpture Exhibition. The acorns — one facing east, one facing west — symbolised the hope for global reconciliation.
When did John Lennon and Yoko Ono meet?
John Lennon and Yoko Ono met at the Indica Gallery in London in November 1966, when Lennon attended a preview of Ono's conceptual art exhibition. Their relationship began in 1968; they married on 20 March 1969.
What were the Bed-Ins for Peace?
The Bed-Ins for Peace were two week-long events staged by John Lennon and Yoko Ono in March 1969 (Amsterdam) and May 1969 (Montreal) as non-violent protests against the Vietnam War. During the Montreal Bed-In, Lennon recorded 'Give Peace a Chance' with a group of friends and supporters.
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