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Lennon never liked being a recipient of it; he felt like he'd compromised himself in accepting the award. He saw a chance to make a high-profile protest against Britain's role in the Nigerian Civil War (or Nigeria-Biafra War), and Britain's support of American involvement in the Vietnam War (see Appendix below for details).
"I know I sold my soul when I received it [the medal], but now I have helped redeem it, in the name of peace."
He also put in a plug for his latest single, "Cold Turkey", in his letter to Queen Elizabeth II, explaining why he was returning the medal, so the act "wasn't just another old colonel protesting." (The letter, dated 25th of November 1969, less than 2 months before Biafra's surrender in early January 1970, read "Your Majesty - I am returning this MBE in protest against Britain's involvement in the Nigeria-Biafra thing, against our support of America in Vietnam, and against 'Cold Turkey' slipping down the charts. With love, John Lennon.")
The medal itself was put in storage; technically, Lennon is still considered an MBE recipient.
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Appendix: some details of Britain's roles in the Biafran and Vietnam Wars
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Britain (along with the Soviet Union) was one of the main suppliers of arms to the mostly Muslim Nigerian Government (which was however led by the Protestant Christian General Gowon) during the Nigerian Civil War or Nigeria-Biafra War (1967-1970). An estimated one to three million citizens of the breakaway (and oil-rich) Republic of Biafra died, mainly from starvation due to the Nigerian blockade. Biafrans were predominantly Christian South-East Nigerians (mostly Roman Catholic, but led by the not-yet-Christian 'pagan/traditionalist/animist' Colonel Ojukwu), mostly of the Igbo tribe
(usually called the 'Ibo' tribe in Western media reports of the war), trying to break away from predominantly Muslim Nigeria after about 30,000 Igbos were massacred in 1967. Their much publicised starvation led to a major international (but predominantly Roman Catholic) effort to airlift food past the blockade. Supporters of Nigeria argued that blockades had always been legitimate weapons of war, and that a successful Biafran secession might lead to similar secessions and civil wars all over Africa. Other British (and US) motives presumably included oil, arms sales, the longstanding respect of British colonial administrators and others for the 'proud warriors' of Muslim Northern Nigeria, a desire to please other African and Commonwealth and Muslim governments, and fear of leaving Nigeria to become a Soviet ally in the worldwide Cold War (1948-1990) between the democratic capitalist West and Soviet Communism.
British Labour Prime Minister Harold Wilson's first Government (1964-1970) also gave diplomatic support to its US ally in the controversial and unpopular Vietnam War (early 1960s-1975). But, unlike some other US allies such as Australia and South Korea, Wilson (like his Conservative successor Edward Heath (1970-1974)) also carefully refrained from sending any British troops, somewhat to the annoyance of US Presidents Johnson (1964-1969) and Nixon (1969-1974). Perhaps 3 million Vietnamese and other South East Asians (and 58,000 Americans) died in the unsuccessful US attempt to prevent Communist North Vietnam from re-uniting Vietnam by 'liberating' or 'conquering' capitalist South Vietnam.
The Times article of the next day, November 26, 1969, besides printing Lennon's explanatory letter (quoted above) also says:
'He said last night that he had been " mulling it over " for the past year or two and the Pinkville massacre had only contributed to his decision.'
The Pinkville massacre, now known as the My Lai massacre, was a massacre by US troops of 350 to 500 unarmed South Vietnamese civilians, mostly women, children, babies, and the elderly, in the hamlets of My Lai, Son My (whose US military codeword was Pinkville), and My Khe. Many victims also suffered beatings, torture, and sexual abuse. Some of the bodies were found mutilated. It took place on March 16, 1968, and caused much outrage when it was made public by investigative journalist Seymour Hersh in November 1969.
"Your Majesty, I am returning my MBE as a protest against Britain's involvement in the Nigeria-Biafra thing, against our support of America in Vietnam and against 'Cold Turkey' slipping down the charts." - Love, John Lennon
Only John Lennon returned his MBE. He did so in protest of Great Britain's supporting America in the Vietnam War.
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What date did The Beatles get awarded the MBE?
In June 1965, Queen Elizabeth II appointed the Beatles Members of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) after Prime Minister Harold Wilson nominated them for the award. The action caused a stir because MBEs were usually presented to military veterans and civic leaders. Some MBE recipients returned their medals in protest. Four years later, on November 25, 1969, John Lennon returned his own MBE to protest the British government's support of the United States' presence in the Vietnam war.
How did The Beatles promote themselves?
In 1959, as the Quarry Men, they started playing at the Casbah Club in Liverpool which was run by Pete Best's mother. In 1960, as the Beatles, and with Pete Best as drummer, the played at the Indra Club in Hamburg for 48 nights, then at the Kaiserkeller for a further 58 nights. On their return to Liverpool, they play at the Cavern Club, followed by a return to Hamburg at the Top Ten Club, then back to the Cavern Club which is where Brian Epstein sees the Beatles for the first time, and the rest is history.
Who had more hits out of the Beatles or Wings?
The Beatles.
When was The Beatles name first used?
As a group it was The Silver Beatles The name The Beatles was first used in May 1960.
Where can one find the Beatles revolver?
Our friend is a huge Beatles fan and has almost every Beatles album. He just found the Beatles album Revolver on iTunes and downloaded the full album.
What band got a MBE from the queen?
The Beatles- this meant Member of the order of the British Empire- and is not the same as Knight status- much much later, we do have Sir Paul Mcartney- the MBE awards and documents were returned to the British Crown by the Beatles- while they were still intact.
What epic event happened to beatles on October 261965?
The Beatles arrived at Buckingham Palace at 11am to receive madals from Queen Elizabeth II. Offically becoming members of the MBE.
What date did The Beatles get awarded the MBE?
In June 1965, Queen Elizabeth II appointed the Beatles Members of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) after Prime Minister Harold Wilson nominated them for the award. The action caused a stir because MBEs were usually presented to military veterans and civic leaders. Some MBE recipients returned their medals in protest. Four years later, on November 25, 1969, John Lennon returned his own MBE to protest the British government's support of the United States' presence in the Vietnam war.
Which is higest obe or mbe?
mbe
What is mbe regarding management?
what is mbe
What did the Beatles do with their MBE medals?
As far as I know, they all kept them, except for John, who sent his back as a protest against the Vietnam war (and because cold turkey slipped in the chart lol)
where is the neasrest MBE?
There is a MBE at 3276 Buford Drive in Buford.
Is an MBE better than an MBA?
i think MBE is better
What are the abbreviations for MBE?
An MBE is an order of chivalry awarded by the Sovereign, the full title being...MBE = Member of the Order of the British Empire
Has Zara Phillips got a MBE?
Yes, Zara Phillips has an MBE.
Who played bass for the Beatles before Paul McCartney?
Stuart Sutcliffe was the original bass guitarist for the Beatles. He quit to return to Art school.Yes he did
Who were the two other Beatles that did not become famous?
Stuart Sutcliffe, who quit the Beatles to return to Art school, and Pete Best, who was replaced by Ringo Starr just before the Beatles began their EMI recording career.
