March 25, 1969

On this day in history, newlyweds John Lennon and Yoko Ono start their “bed-in,” a peace protest in the presidential suite at the Hilton Hotel in Amsterdam.

Since the press was following them everywhere anyway, it was a clever way to capitalize on all the attention and use it as a megaphone for their protests against the Vietnam War.

To honor the 50th anniversary this week of the “bed-in,” the Amsterdam Hilton will be planting a white “peace tulip” on the grounds.