Manitoba, and surrounding areas on February 19, 1942, during the Second
World War. It was an elaborate campaign to promote the purchase of
Victory Bonds, loans to the government to allow for increased war
spending, and over C$3 million was collected in Winnipeg on If Day. As
money came in from those selling Victory Bonds, the sections were
"reclaimed" from the Nazi invaders. The event was organized by the
Greater Winnipeg Victory Loan organization, led by prominent Winnipeg
businessman J. D. Perrin. The organizers believed that bringing the war
(or, rather, a simulation thereof) to people's homes would result in a
change of attitude among those not directly affected by the war. The
simulation included 3,500 Canadian Army members, representing all of
Winnipeg's units, making it the largest military exercise in Winnipeg to
that point. If Day included a staged firefight between Canadian troops
and volunteers dressed as German soldiers, the internment of prominent
politicians, the imposition of Nazi rule, and a parade. It was later the
subject of a 2006 documentary, and was included in Guy Maddin's film My
Winnipeg.
Read more: <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/If_Day>
_______________________________
Today's selected anniversaries:
1776:
The Order of the Illuminati, a secret society, was founded by
Adam Weishaupt and Adolph von Knigge in Ingolstadt, Bavaria, Germany.
<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Illuminati>
1840:
The United Kingdom issued the Penny Black (pictured), the
world's first official adhesive postage stamp.
<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Penny_Black>
1851:
The Great Exhibition, the first ever world's fair, opened in
London's Hyde Park.
<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Great_Exhibition>
1897:
The Hindu monastic order Sri Ramakrishna Math and Mission was
founded by Swami Vivekananda.
<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ramakrishna_Mission>
1947:
Italian separatist Salvatore Giuliano and his gang fired into a
crowd of May Day marchers near Piana degli Albanesi, Sicily, killing 11
and wounding 33.
<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Portella_della_Ginestra_massacre>
1956:
A doctor in Japan reported an "epidemic of an unknown disease
of the central nervous system", marking the official discovery of
Minamata disease.
<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Minamata_disease>
_____________________________
Wiktionary's word of the day:
tumpline:
A strap used to carry objects tied to its ends by placing the broadened
or cushioned middle of the strap over the head just behind the forehead.
<https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/tumpline>
___________________________
Wikiquote quote of the day:
Gǣð ā Wyrd swā hīo scel! Fate goes ever as it must.
--Beowulf
<https://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Beowulf>
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