Each year, the Librarian of Congress names 25 American films to the National Film Registry.  The movies are considered to be “culturally, historically or aesthetically” important, to be preserved for all time.  They are not selected as the “best” movies, but rather as works of enduring cultural significance.

This year’s movies run the gamut of genres, from Hollywood classics to documentaries, sci fi extravaganzas to comedies.  Among those honored are Airplane!, The Empire Strikes Back, Grey Gardens, It’s a Gift, McCabe and Mrs. Miller, and The Pink Panther.

The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland is marking what would have been John Lennon’s 70^th birthday with a weekend celebration next month.  From October 8^th through 10^th, the Hall of Fame will present a series of events in honor of the former Beatles member, song writer, and solo musical artist.

Events include a time capsule dedication of recordings and fan contributions, tours of the Beatles exhibit, and a “Message of Peace” birthday card signing.  The Rock Hall’s annual performing arts festival will pay tribute to Lennon with an Imagine Peace World Festival.

In 1980, Lennon was shot to death by a deranged fan outside his apartment in New York City.

Library resources: books about Lennon, music of the Beatles, Lennon’s  solo music.

At New York’s Polo Grounds on Oct. 3, 1951, outfielder Bobby Thomson of the Giants hit a game-winning home run off Brooklyn Dodgers pitcher Ralph Branca for the National League championship.   The home run was immortalized as “the shot heard ‘round the world.”  Thomson died yesterday in Savannah, Georgia at the age of 86.

His home run capped a late-season push by the Giants, who caught the Dodgers in September, necessitating a three-game playoff.  In later years, it was revealed that the Giants stole opposing catchers’ signals during the 1951 season.  Thomson denied having been tipped off about the high fast one from Branca that he hit into the left field stands.

Library resources: The shot heard ’round the world, NY/SF Giants, Brooklyn/LA Dodgers

Harvey Pekar, who chronicled his depressive, obsessive-compulsive life in the comic book series “American Splendor,” died yesterday in Cleveland at age 70.  A retired VA hospital file clerk, Pekar began writing strips in 1972, his first being illustrated by underground comic book artist R. Crumb, whom he cited as a strong influence.

Pekar, who also wrote short stories and jazz reviews, was best known for his autobiographical portrait in comics form.  He said his work was about the “series of day-after-day activities that have more influence on a person than any spectacular or traumatic events.  It’s the 99 percent of life that nobody ever writes about.”

Library Resources: books written and illustrated by Harvey Pekar, the movie “American Splendor”

Sir Paul McCartney, co-writer with John Lennon of some of the most iconic music of the rock era, has been named as the third recipient of the Library of Congress Gershwin Prize for Popular Song.  The Beatles vocalist and guitarist will perform at the award ceremony in the White House on June 2nd.

The Gershwin Prize “celebrates the work of an artist whose career reflects lifetime achievement in promoting song as a vehicle of musical expression and cultural understanding.”  Stevie Wonder and Paul Simon are the previous honorees.  The White House concert will be broadcast on PBS on July 28th.

Library resources

• Music: The Beatles, Wings and McCartney solo
• Books: The Beatles, McCartney