In 1939, upon the outbreak of World War II, the British Government’s Ministry of Information commissioned posters to be distributed throughout the country as a means of allaying public fear. Three different posters were produced and while the first two designs were widely distributed the third poster, simply bearing the words ‘Keep Calm and Carry On’ along with the royal crown, was held in reserve intended for use only in times of extreme crisis.
Although hundreds of thousands of these posters were produced, only a handful ever saw the light of day. Even now ‘Keep Calm and Carry On’ is a phrase which perfectly encapsulates the traditional British ‘stiff upper lip’.
The phase has become very trendy over the last few years and after a co-worker gave me a postcard bearing the words almost three years ago, I find myself repeating them to myself in times of stress, wariness, and utter exhaustion; like when you won’t take a nap and we both know that you need one. 🙂
The best is yet to be.
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I've always loved this phrase and in fact have a little sticker of it on my printer at home. It's funny that its such a simple command, just keep calm and carry on, yet so hard to follow through with sometimes.
Never knew the history of it and I never would have known that. So thanks for educating me once again.