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Halfsheet "
Keep Calm and Carry On" poster was a motivational message produced by the British government's Ministry of Information in 1939, just before the start of World War II. It was intended to raise the morale of the public in the face of expected mass air attacks on major cities.
Key Facts
Origin: The slogan and design were created by a committee of civil servants and academics as one of three propaganda posters in a series. The other two read "Freedom is in Peril, Defend it with all your Might" and "Your Courage, Your Cheerfulness and Your Resolution Will Bring Us Victory".
Design: Each poster featured the slogan beneath the Tudor Crown, a symbol of the state. The background was typically a bold red.
Usage During WWII: Although 2.45 million copies were printed, the "Keep Calm" poster was never officially issued for wide public display during the war. It was held in reserve for a potential national catastrophe that, thankfully, never fully materialized in the way anticipated.
Rediscovery and Modern Popularity: The vast majority of the posters were pulped in 1940 due to paper shortages. The poster only became famous after an original copy was discovered in a second-hand bookshop in Northumberland in 2000. It has since become a global cultural phenomenon, symbolizing British stoicism, self-discipline, and fortitude.
Meaning: The poster evokes the Victorian ideal of the "stiff upper lip" and an enduring spirit to remain calm and persevere through adversity. |
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