On October 14, the world’s most famous bear, Winnie-the-Pooh, celebrated its 100th birthday. Many people may not know that its origins are connected to a small bear from Canada.
According to a report by Canadian news channel CTV, since the first full version of Winnie-the-Pooh was published on October 14, 1926, it has become a beloved character for generations of children and adults worldwide.
The story of Winnie-the-Pooh dates back to 1914 when Canadian veterinarian and Lieutenant Harry Colebourn purchased a young bear for $20 in White River, Ontario, and named it “Winnipeg,” shortened to “Winnie” after his hometown, which is the capital of Manitoba province in Canada.
During World War I, Colebourn, serving overseas, cared for Winnie, who became the mascot of the Second Canadian Infantry Brigade.
Colebourn’s great-granddaughter Lindsay Mattick revealed to the TV station that when Colebourn realized he had to part ways with Winnie, he sent the bear to the London Zoo in England, one of the oldest zoos globally, operating since 1828.
Winnie attracted many visitors at the London Zoo, including a young boy named Christopher Robin. Robin adored the friendly little black bear, often letting children ride on its back.
Christopher Robin was the son of A. A. Milne, who was inspired by his son’s love for the bear to create the “Winnie-the-Pooh” series of stories, illustrated by E.H. Shepard.
Apart from books, the Winnie-the-Pooh franchise has expanded to include animated films, TV shows, toys, and various merchandise.
Mattick expressed surprise at how her family’s story touched so many people: “When the emotional power of a true story is no less than that of fiction, it is indeed worth sharing with others.”
Amid the 100th anniversary celebrations of Winnie-the-Pooh worldwide, events took place, such as a new exhibition at the New York Public Library in the United States.
In another amusing event in California, on Winnie-the-Pooh’s 100th birthday, a black bear wandered into a branch of the Mono County Free Libraries, helping itself to a jar of honey. The library humorously shared this incident on social media.
The library recounted how the bear headed straight to the staff’s snacks, indulging in peanut butter, canned peaches, a bag of cookies, and a jar of honey, causing no damage and leaving the books unharmed.
Referencing Winnie-the-Pooh, the library introduced readers to a bear “of very little brain” with a great love for honey. A hundred years later, the visit of this peculiar bear seemed like no coincidence.