The History and Resurgence of “Keep Calm and Carry On”

by Pam Hillman

Every so often a new round of memes with the “Keep Calm” slogan will circulate through social media. Or I’ll spot a t-shirt sporting the saying with everything from “Keep Calm and Take a Nap” to “Keep Calm and Glitter Everything”. That one made me laugh.

So one day after being particularly bombarded with Keep Calm memes, I got to wondering where all this Keep Calm stuff started. So, research trip via the internet highway.

The original Keep Calm quote appeared on a motivational poster created by the British government in 1939. The intention was to raise the morale of the British public as they were threatened with air attacks on all the major cities. Approximately 2.5 million copies were printed, and Britian did suffer greatly from the Blitz, the posters themselves didn’t catch on and were rarely displayed in public places.

Most of the copies were thought to be destroyed until a copy was rediscovered in a bookshop in Alnwick, England. At the time, it was believed that only two original copies had survived the war, but a collection of 20 original posters was brought to the Antiques Roadshow in 2012.

The popularity of the show and the nostalgic saying caught on, and private companies, wanna-be graphics artists, and pretty much everyone who has something to say have created posters, mugs, t-shirts, mouse pads, and memes way beyond the original 2.5 million posters that were printed.

By UK Government - Digital scan of original KEEP CALM AND CARRY ON poster

owned by wartimeposters.co.uk. Steved1973 (talk) 10:40, 22 October 2011 (UTC), Public Domain

Many of the products still sport the British crown at the top, but sometimes the crown is replaced by something more appropriate to the meme itself… a heart, a dove, a kitten, a trademarked logo, etc.

And the variations in the sayings have simply exploded in the last few years. This Keep Calm Pinterest Board has over 5,000 pins with different Keep Calm sayings. Some are fun, some are silly, and some make you pause and scratch your head in confusion—or dismay.

But back to the original poster designed to raise morale for the British public who were facing one of the biggest fights of history. Keep Calm and Carry On.

Yes, that’s good advice then and now.

What are some of the most memorable, funny, or inspiring “Keep Calm” quotes you’ve seen?

CBA Bestselling author PAM HILLMAN attempts to KEEP CALM WHILE DROWNING UNDER DEADLINES on a daily basis. Pam was born and raised on a dairy farm in Mississippi and spent her teenage years perched on the seat of a tractor raking hay. In those days, her daddy couldn't afford two cab tractors with air conditioning and a radio, so Pam drove an Allis Chalmers 110. Even when her daddy asked her if she wanted to bale hay, she told him she didn't mind raking. Raking hay doesn't take much thought so Pam spent her time working on her tan and making up stories in her head. Now, that's the kind of life every girl should dream of. www.pamhillman.com

The Fascinating Elgin Marbles and Giveaway!

 The Elgin Marbles, also known as the Parthenon Sculptures currently reside in the British Museum. I've been studying the history behind the sculptures for more than a year now because they are intricately woven into England's Regency history, my favorite era to write about. Though some believe the sculptures need to be returned to Greece where they are said to have been stolen others insist that they were saved from extinction during a horrid war when Elgin took them from the Parthenon. Right or wrong the debate continues to this day between England and Greece.


So why are they referred to as The Elgin Marbles? Ah, the plot thickens.

Thomas Bruce, 7th Earl of Elgin and 11th Earl of Kincardine by Anton Graff (around 1788).

 Greece was part of the Ottoman Empire in November of 1798. Thomas Bruce, the 7th Earl of Elgin was given a new responsiblilty, "Ambassador Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary of His Britannic Majesty to the Sublime Porte of Selim III, Sultan of Ottoman Empire"

This was a post he wanted and pursued because of his love of art and the opportunity to have sketches, paintings, and moldings of Greek art copied while he and his wife Mary were in such an advantageous situation. However, one thing led to another and instead of copying the art Elgin had workers actually begin to dismantle the sculptures and friezes of the Pathenon. One witness to this abomination was Edward Dodwell, a traveler to the area. He states, "During my first tour of Greece, I had the inexpressible mortification of being present when the Parthenon was despoiled of its finest sculptures . . . " Thus the Parthenon sculptures became known as the Elgin Marbles because he took them back to England among incredible controversy. And that's just the beginning of the story.

Parthenon Selene Horse

Lord Byron, the English poet who joined the Greek War of Independence fighting against the Ottoman Empire had his own perspective.

Lord Byron in Albanian dress

Dull is the eye that will not weep to see Thy walls defaced, thy mouldering shrines removed

By British hands, which it had best behoved To guard those relics ne'er to be restored.

Curst be the hour when from their isle they roved, And once again thy hapless bosom gored,

And snatch'd thy shrinking gods to northern climes abhorred!

 My next series will revolve around these fascinating sculptures and I hope to finish my first draft of Athena's Curse during National Novel Writing Month in November. There is too much history to be revealed here in this short space but do you begin to choose a side in this ongoing battle yet? Now, two centuries later do you think the Pathenon Marbles should be returned to Greece? Here's a link to a short video with Christopher Hutchins and the modern debate. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TJd63IrK4KY

I'm pleased to giveaway a copy of my favorite instrumental CD titled, Renaissance, by Mark Schultz.  Just leave a comment by midnight Pacific Time on Saturday November 8th and I'll announce a winner sometime Sunday on the 9th. An early Thanksgiving appreciation for HHH fans and those who love to read Jillian Kent Books.

If you are interested in pursuing your own studies I highly recommend reading, The Elgin Affair by Theodore Vrettos and The Elgin Marbles; Should they be returned to Greece? by Christopher Hitchens with essays by Robert Browning adn Graham Binns.

Jillian is employed as a counselor for nursing students in Cincinnati, Ohio and possesses a masters degree in social work. She is a member of the American Association of Christian Counselors and passionate about mental health, wellness, and stomping out the stigma of mental illness. She also coordinates and frequently contributes to The Well Writer within Christian Fiction Online Magazine. Learn more about Jillian and her novels at www.jilliankent.com