Buy British Day – October 3, 2022, history, significance
Buy British Day takes place on October 3 every year. Since it has two sources of origin, this day has an intriguing story. The first source dates back to the 1960s when some secretaries spearheaded the foundation. The second was in 2014 when a nationwide market objective was established by an organization known as Best of Britannia. We have some fascinating nuggets about this campaign or movement to share with you. So, just sit back, pour yourself some fine English tea, and read on.
HISTORY OF BUY BRITISH DAY
In 2014 an organization called Best of Britannia organized a Buy British Day event in Clerkenwell, Central London, dedicated to promoting British brands and businesses. However, this was not the first time that a day, or a campaign, was established in honor of supporting British-produced goods.
In 1968, a short-lived campaign called ‘I’m Backing Britain’ was created and put into action by five Surbiton secretaries who agreed to work an extra thirty minutes each day, without pay, to increase productivity and encourage others to do so the same. It drew an enormous response from the British public and quickly turned into a patriotic movement that even got the attention of the then Prime Minister, Harold Wilson.
Some even credit this incredibly random event as the reason for the high visibility of the Union Flag logo that littered the high streets. After that, media proprietor and former Member of Parliament, Robert Maxwell, expressed his desire to take over the campaign by changing its name to ‘Buy British.’
A few months before putting the plan into action, it was realized the campaign had not made an impact on businesses or the economy at all, and it was eventually scrapped.
It is said that, in 2014, this old, scrapped, and patriotic campaign was given a new life, probably by the Best of Britannia. Since the 1960s, the British public has once again taken to buying British goods.
BUY BRITISH DAY TIMELINE
1968
Back Britain
Five secretaries decide to work for half an hour each evening to boost productivity, which kick-starts the original ‘I’m Backing Britain’ movement.
1991
Goodbye Mr. Maxwell
Maxwell, the man who coined the term ‘Buy British,’ dies at the age of 68.
2014
Buy British is Reborn
Buy British Day is celebrated for the first time at a market organized by the Best of Britannia showcase.
2018
Looking Back
B.B.C. Radio 4 airs a play dramatizing the events of 1968, titled “We’re Backing Britain,” written and performed by David Morley.
RECOMMEND STORIES
- Remembering Ratan Tata: A Visionary Leader and Compassionate Humanitarian
- National College Colors Day – September 2, 2024: history
- Bison-ten Yell Day – September 2, 2024: history, FAQs
- National Lazy Mom’s Day – September 6, 2024
- World Coconut Day – September 2, 2024: A Nutty Celebration!
BUY BRITISH DAY ACTIVITIES
Attend a Buy British event
The very first Buy British Day event was a market held in a small neighborhood in Central London. The event still takes place to this day and draws hordes of shoppers. Gather your family and friends and participate in the fun.
List your British-made pieces
We hardly ever sort items we buy as per country or brand. This Buy British Day, it can be fun to take stock of all the British-made items. Make a list, take pictures, and create a Pinterest board.
Tell your friends
Get your friends involved. Plan the night before so you won’t feel left behind or miss out on special British online deals.
5 CRAZY FACTS ABOUT THE U.K.’S ECONOMY
Britain boasts many billionaires
The U.K. ranks 21st in population, yet it has the ninth highest number of billionaires in the world, according to “Forbes’s 2021 World’s Billionaires List.”
They have enviable real estate
The Queen’s home, Buckingham Palace, is also famous for being the most expensive house in the world.
Buy a private island in Britain
The U.K. allows you to buy a private island — a Scottish island ‘Linda’ has its bid starting at $351,000.
The N.H.S. employs millions
The United Kingdom’s National Health Service, also known as the N.H.S, is the fifth-biggest employer globally, with over 1.7 million employees nationwide.
Britain became a petroleum hub
According to the Observatory for Economic Complexity at M.I.T., U.K.’s petroleum exports rose to $17.8 billion in 2018 alone.
WHY WE LOVE BUY BRITISH DAY
Celebrating all things British is fun
We all know that trying the British accent is fun. Things like mimicking also reflect love and appreciation for a culture that is foreign to so many of us. Buy British Day allows us to amplify that love and contribute to the economy too.
It’s cool to support local enterprises
Buying affordable imported products makes sense, and if you have the means to support small, local businesses that produce handmade products and put hours of work into creating bespoke clothing or furniture items, you should opt for such goods. Buy local, buy small, buy British.
It’s a nice way to promote British commerce
Countries love exporting their products and services around the world. We should appreciate the truly patriotic British businesses that operate around the globe.
