Keep Calm and Carry On

This statement has always appealed to me, so I finally ordered a copy. Here is the story about the poster's beginning.

"In the Spring of 1939 and a looming war with Germany on everyone's mind, the British Government's Ministry of Information commissioned a series of propaganda posters to be distributed throughout the country upon the outbreak of war. The plan for the posters was to relay a soothing message from King George VI to reassure his people that all capable measures to defend the country were being taken.

Using the crown of George VI as the only graphic device, the stark red and white poster simply read 'Keep Calm and Carry On'. Over 2 million posters were printed, held in reserve, intended for use only in times of crisis or invasion. Some had found their way onto Ministry office walls but the poster was never officially issued and so remained virtually unseen by the public - unseen, that is, until a copy turned up more that fifty years later in a box of dusty old books bought in auction.

Unfortunately, there are no records of the original designers of the 'Keep Calm' poster. But it's a credit to the nameless artists that, long after the war was won, people everyone are still finding reassurance in their distinctive and clean design, and the very special 'attitude of mind' they manage to convey. These words hold true even in the world's current state of events."