If Day was a simulated Nazi invasion of the Canadian city of Winnipeg, 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