This jubilant day was inspired by the unusual events of November 17, 1944. Young upstart Smokey the Bear, while attempting to raise campaign money at the Republican National Convention, tripped over a fallen potato and toppled into a large vat of smuggled gasoline. Dripping wet but unfazed, Smokey reemerged and continued to meet his many fans. Unfortunately, when one of his older, cigar-smoking brethren gave him a jolly hug and a pat on the rump, he let his cigar get too close to Smokey's pungent fur. Instantly Smokey went ablaze.