The phrase 'Keep Calm and Carry On' has become a ubiquitous meme, with countless variations and parodies flooding social media and everyday life. But where did this phenomenon originate? The answer lies in its humble beginnings as a wartime propaganda poster from World War II.

In 1939, the British government commissioned three posters as part of the Ministry of Information's efforts to boost morale during times of austerity and fear. One of these posters, featuring the phrase 'Keep Calm and Carry On,' was intended to reassure the public that everything would be okay despite the looming threat of war.

Despite being printed in large quantities, the poster never made it into public display and nearly all 2.5 million copies were pulped. That is until Stuart Manley, owner of Barter Books in Alnwick, Northumberland, discovered a folded copy at the bottom of a box of second-hand books in 2001.

Fast forward to today, and 'Keep Calm and Carry On' has become an iconic symbol of British pluck and resilience. The phrase has been reworked countless times, with variations featuring everything from humorous slogans like 'Keep Warm' to more serious messages like 'Deny Self.' Some have even used the design as a platform for social commentary, such as the poster seen in Peckham police station bearing the phrase 'Anything You Say (May Be Taken Down And Given In Evidence).'

The ease with which the design can be subverted has led to its widespread proliferation, making it a perfect meme. The Facebook group 'Plague' is dedicated to collecting some of the worst examples, including the cringe-worthy 'Keep Calm and Gangnam Style.'

As Mark Earls, consultant and author, notes, humans are social creatures prone to imitation. And so it's no surprise that 'Keep Calm and Carry On' has become a cultural phenomenon, spreading rapidly across villages, towns, and cities in the form of posters, mugs, and even election leaflets.

In conclusion, while the original 'Keep Calm and Carry On' poster may have been intended as a serious propaganda tool during wartime, its modern-day iteration is a testament to human ingenuity and our collective love for a good meme.

Keep calm and carry on origin