Saturday is right around the corner and that means it’s National Winnie the Pooh Day. Every January 18, we celebrate our favorite yellowy-orange, honey-loving bear. This day was chosen because it honors the birthday of A.A. Milne, who wrote Winnie and his friends.
But where did Winnie the Pooh and Christopher Robin come from?
Winnie the Pooh was written over Milne’s son, Christopher Robin (Milne), and his stuffed animals, but not only that, there’s so much more to uncover behind the scenes.
The OG Winnie
Winnie the Pooh was originally inspired by an actual bear named Winnie. Harry Colebourn went to Canada and joined the Royal Canadian Army Veterinary Corps. After serving in WWI across Canada, he came back with a black female bear, he later named her Winnie, which was inspired by the city of Winnipeg, his hometown.
Since Colebourn was a Lieutenant, he had to go back to England in 1914 and took Winnie with him. He wasn’t able to take Winnie to battle in France, so he decided to leave her in the London Zoo. After coming back from war, Colebourn decided it was best for Winnie to stay at the zoo, he donated to Winnie so they could care for her. Just like our famously known Winnie the Pooh, Winnie was quite famous at the zoo, attracting tons of visitors, and two of Winnie’s most frequent visitors were A.A. Milne and his song, Christopher Robin Milne.
After Milne’s books made Winnie the black bear famous, when she sadly passed away in 1943, her death made news all around the world. She died at the age of 20 and her skull ws sent to the Royal College of Surgeons.
Winnie the Pooh quotes:
“I think we dream so we don’t have to be apart for so long. If we’re in each other’s dreams, we can be together all the time.”
“You’re braver than you believe, stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think.”
Now that we know so much about Winnie the Pooh, how about this January 18th, we rewatch all the best of Winnie the Pooh’s shows and movies
Get ready for more fun national days:
National Popcorn Day – January 19th
Opposite day – January 25th
National Hot Chocolate Day – January 31st
No Selfie Day – March 16
National Pajama Day – April 6
Dare Day – June 1
National Dora Day – July 7
National Wiggle Your Toes Day – August 6th
National Knock Knock Jokes Day – October 31st
International Tongue Twister Day – November 9
