Winnie-The-Pooh Was Inspired By A Real-Life Canadian Bear & The Story Is So Sweet

One of the world’s most beloved bears — Winnie-the-Pooh — actually has a very Canadian history!

A new post from Canada’s official Twitter page has revealed that the honey-loving character was actually named after a real bear that came from Ontario.

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“DYK that Winnie-the-Pooh, the “hunny” loving character created by A. A. Milne, was named after a real-life Bear?” asked the tweet.

It went on to explain that the real animal was named Winnipeg (Winnie for short) and had been bought for $20 by Canadian soldier and veterinarian Harry Colebourn in 1914.

During the First World War, Colebourn took Winnie to England’s London Zoo after it had opened a new bear habitat that resembled a mountain landscape.

While in London, according to History.com, Winnie captured the attention of a young boy named Christopher Robin Milne, and his father A.A. Milne.

Eventually, Winnie and Christopher Robin’s collection of stuffed animals became the inspiration for his father’s world-famous stories.

While Winnie the real Canadian bear died in 1934 at the age of 20, she's remembered worldwide for her unique relationship with Harry Colebourn and the incredible stories she went on to inspire. Aw!