Yoko Ono commemorates John Lennon's 75th birthday

Yoko Ono will commemorate her husband John Lennon's 75th birthday today, October 9, with the annual lighting of Imagine Peace Tower on the island of Videy, Reyjkavik, Iceland.

Imagine Peace Tower is a conceptual tower of light emanating from a stone base into which the words 'Imagine Peace' are carved in 24 languages. It was unveiled by Ono in 2007 and she has visited Reyjkavik every year since then to initiate and participate in the lighting ceremony. This year is the 9th year.

Imagine Peace Tower is lit every year on October 9 and darkened on Dec 8, the day Lennon was killed.

Over 1 million hand written wishes have been received from people all around the world and these are buried beneath Imagine Peace Tower.

For more information on Imagine Peace Tower click here.

Yoko Ono said today: "Every year so many people celebrate John's life in different and very special ways. I'm always so proud that John's legacy just grows and grows and resonates with new generations all around the world. It always chokes me up to see his message still out there. Music helps create a global village and John's music is very much woven into our lives and will continue to be so forever. He wanted a better planet and together we tried to make it so. The message he was promoting was clear and direct and is as needed today as it was then. All we are saying is give peace a chance! I love you John".