On this day in 1969 John Lennon and Yoko Ono arrived in Canada for the next stage of their peace campaign

The previous day, the pair had arranged for giant billboards to be unveiled simultaneously in 12 cities around the world, all reading “War Is Over! If You Want It. Merry Christmas from John and Yoko.” Toronto alone featured over 30 roadside billboards. Thousands of posters and handbills were also distributed and placed around the cities. 

The following day, the pair were whisked to the home of Ronnie Hawkins, where they prepared for the next stage of the campaign, fielding calls and meetings and planning media appointments and press conferences. Ritchie Yorke was able to join the pair and assist in the planning.

In the following days, John and Yoko met with human rights activist Dick Gregory, as well as a radio show with Marshall McLuhan. Finally, the pair travelled to Montreal with a group including their assistant Anthony Fawcett, Ronnie and Wanda Hawkins, security man Heavy Andrews, John Brower and Ritchie and Chris Yorke in order to meet with Canadian PM Pierre Trudeau. Both Lennon and Trudeau expressed their satisfaction with the meeting and the discussions of peace. 

John and Yoko’s peace campaign showed the world what is possible in using our means to advocate for a better future, especially with demonstrating the power of musicians and their music to affect social change.