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The Peace Illuminations - the General Post-Office, 1856. Creator: Unknown
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The Peace Illuminations - the General Post-Office, 1856. Creator: Unknown
The Peace Illuminations - the General Post-Office, 1856. London celebrations to mark the end of the Crimean War. It was necessary that the people should share, or appear to share, in the joy felt by the official mind that diplomacy had put an end to that very inconvenient and very troublesome war in which Great Britain was incurring such large expense, and reaping such small satisfaction...it was resolved to celebrate the auspicious birthday of the Queen and the inauspicious Treaty of Peace on the same evening...the illuminations that are customary to express the love and respect of the people for the person of the Sovereign...assisted the Government in celebrating its own triumphs. Whatever foreign nations may believe...when they read or hear of the pyrotechny of this brilliant occasion, the people at home will not be deceived. They know that they accepted the Peace because they had no alternative'. From "Illustrated London News", 1856
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Anniversary Birthday Celebrating Celebration Celebrations City Of Westminster London England Communication Crimean War Crowds Decorations Gas Lighting Illuminate Illuminated Illumination Illuminations Lights Lit Up Neo Classical Neo Classicism Neoclassical Patriotic Patriotism Peace Post Office Propaganda Royal Event Triumph Triumphal Triumphalism Westminster London England
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EDITORS COMMENTS
This photograph, titled "The Peace Illuminations - the General Post-Office, 1856," depicts the jubilant scene of London's celebration of the end of the Crimean War. The image captures the illuminated General Post-Office, adorned with intricate lighting displays, reflecting the collective relief and joy of the British people. The Crimean War, which lasted from 1853 to 1856, was a significant conflict for Great Britain, as it marked the first major military engagement of Queen Victoria's reign. The war resulted in substantial financial strain and a growing discontent among the populace. To mark the end of the war and the Queen's birthday, it was decided to celebrate both events on the same evening with traditional illuminations. The illuminations were a customary expression of the people's love and respect for the monarch, but in this instance, they also served as a means for the government to showcase its diplomatic triumph. The people of London gathered to witness the spectacle, knowing that they had no alternative but to accept the peace treaty. Despite foreign perceptions, the people of London understood the true nature of the celebrations. They knew that the illuminations were not just a display of loyalty to the Queen, but also a symbol of their collective relief that the war had finally come to an end. The Peace Illuminations at the General Post-Office stand as a testament to the resilience and unity of the British people during a time of great turmoil and uncertainty.
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