I'm always seeing this phrase all over the internet - on posters, books, t-shirts. But I never knew what the story was behind it. It was only when I stumbled across this website that I found out. This is going to be a bit text heavy, but I urge you to persist, it's just so interesting if you're a bit history obsessed like me!
Turns out that it's actually related to World War II. The Ministry of Information was formed by the British government in WWII, and was the department responsible for publicity and propaganda. After the outbreak of the war, the Ministry of Information produced a number of posters that were designed to boost morale. The first two posters featured King George VI's crown and featured the phrases 'Your Courage, Your Cheerfulness, Your Resolution will Bring Us Victory' and 'Freedom is in Peril'. They were displayed all over Britain.
'Keep Calm and Carry On' was the third poster, and it was planned to be put up once Germany invaded Britain. Since this didn't happen, it was never displayed publically. All the 'Keep Calm and Carry On' posters were believed to be destroyed at the end of the war, but 60 years later a bookseller discovered a poster in a pile of old books (I love when things like this happen!) he'd purchased from an auction. There are also a few displayed in British museums. And since copyright on works created by the British government expires after 50 years, the poster is has been reprinted and inspired all sorts of products.
I think I'm going to have to buy a poster now, cause of the history behind it as well as the fact that I really like the phrase. Have a look over here, it's a site that sells all sorts of Keep Calm and Carry on products, t-shirts, books, posters...even chocolate bars. It sells pretty much everything actually :).
I knew it was a propaganda poster but never knew that it wasn't actually used. How interesting, thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteI've always liked the story behind this poster. Whenever I get disillusioned and start feeling like there's "Keep Calm and Carry On" over kill, I remind myself of this story and it puts a smile right back on my face.
ReplyDeleteThat is very interesting!
ReplyDeletehttp://justmycrazyboringlife.blogspot.com/
I knew the general history of the posters...I read about them somewhere (and I'm a history major)...but I really like modern-retro posters...very inspiring, a sentiment we need to see in practice more than ever.
ReplyDeleteyeah I've seen that text and many versions of it everywhere, but I haven't ever known what is a real mening of if. but now I know, thanks for sharing it !
ReplyDeletehttp://kiss-these-stars.blogspot.com/
Ive always wondered what those meant!
ReplyDeleteSarah
theantiquepearl.blogspot.com
I also really like when things like that happen. Thanks for the history lesson, it means so much more then just a trend now.
ReplyDeleteI love how they prepared a simple poster to keep everyone calm.
ReplyDeleteThe story behind the poster is quite cute, I love those kind of "they thought there was none left but..." stories.
:)
Im really glad you posted this. I learnt about this phrase/poster when i was studying my alevels (about 6 years ago *cries*) and its just become so huge in the past few years and not too many people know the history of things!
ReplyDeleteAw, this is such a fabulous post! I love finding out the historical facts behind certain quotes or sayings; it's always so interesting to hear how things evolve over time! Thanks for sharing this with us; it was definitely worthwhile to read!
ReplyDelete♥Anh
Wow! i didnt know what does it really mean until now. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteI really love how much power, this simple phrase seems to have! I absolutely love the posters, and I actually happen to have that book pictured above!
ReplyDeletelovely pics and blog :)
ReplyDeletehttp://rredribbon.blogspot.com/
i have a "keep calm and carry on" print giveaway running on my blog. do come and check it out...
ReplyDeleteyour blog is BEAUTIFUL! pls drop by mine when you have some time, perhaps we can follow each other/swap blog buttons? =)
persis.
http://onestylemile.blogspot.com/
i've always loved these posters and have read up on the history as well! it's such a good story.
ReplyDeleteyou have a lovely blog :)
I always like it when people actually know the story behind that poster. It's great on it's own, but I think you need to know the history of it, too! I have a pillow with the phrase on it!
ReplyDeleteHi I have a giveaway going on at my blog mylovelylittlesuitcase.blogspot.com from my sponsor, I would love if you came to check it out :)
ReplyDeleteI've never heard of that saying before, but thank you for sharing. I would have never known..
ReplyDeleteYou just made me smile so big! I never knew the history of this poster... and it just got even cooler!
ReplyDeleteI'll definitely be retelling this story!!!
xoxoxo
Beckerman Girls
http://www.beckermanbiteplate.com
Oh, dearest, I am so sorry for not visiting lately. Your blog is as lovely as ever, and I am having a bit of a peruse in older posts I have missed out on! You always have such interesting things to say; I adored hearing how this was related to the War; I find this knowledge so exquisite.
ReplyDeleteAlso, I have something rather shocking (I thought it was, anyway), to tell you. I turned sixteen on the fifth of August, too.
So, hey, blog twin!
I miss you, by the way.
Will you come back to us, soon?
Love, Athena.
xxxxxxx
wow that is so neat! thanks for sharing! i never knew the story behind that. :)
ReplyDeletexx.
I love KCACO too! The story behind it is so interesting but also I find it a really practical motto that I can use in my day to day life. The shop I work in sells a lot of the merchandise and I've had to treat myself to a few things. I have the plasters tin and a canvas bag but I really want to get a print too!
ReplyDeletethanks for sharing, now i know what it is all about!
ReplyDeletefeel free to Follow Me xoxo
twitter: @FASHION_ICE
i'm happy you shared the details.
ReplyDeleteOne of the best posters to come out of national propaganda. I would like to see an original one day. Think they have it at the Imperial War Museum?
ReplyDeleteArianne from A + B in the Sea
I seem to be as obsessed with History and stories as you are, my dear. This brightened my day a lot. Thank you.
ReplyDelete♥
P.S.: Your blog is beautiful.
Yeah that is soooo interesting! It was the same thing with me I kept seeing that little saying over and over again until finally I decided to look it up :)
ReplyDeletexoxo
Olivia
LOVE it! I've been seeing those a lot lately too! Lovely to know, and since I'm a history junkie like you I'm OBSESSED!
ReplyDeletethat is sooo cool! thanks for sharing
ReplyDeleteHow cool, I love those designs but never realised they had such a rich history.
ReplyDeleteI love that they thought that kind of poster would've calmed people down - I think I'd be more likely to panic if I saw that on the tube.
Thanks for sharing this.
ispystyle.wordpress.com
you haven't blogged in ages?
ReplyDeleteWow, I did not know where this story came from - thanks so much for letting me know - I'm going to have to get one of these posters too now!
ReplyDeleteamazing! that's my new favorite saying now
ReplyDeletegreat info...i have been trying to figure that out myself! haha
ReplyDelete