Picnic Day (June 18): History, Significances, Theme and Celebrations
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International Picnic Day will be on Friday, June 18, 2021, and we’re using our time to celebrate easily — with a picnic! Picnics have been a staple of most cultures for years and, believe it or not, their popularity can be traced directly to the French Revolution. Our definitions of a picnic might be different, but it’s a great way to bring people together for an enjoyable day.
International Picnic Day: History
For many across the world, picnics are a relaxing change of pace from their daily lives. However, the picnic as we know it today didn’t exist until the French Revolution, as public parks finally became available en masse.
Although the French are credited with the creation of modern picnics, globalization and individual cultures are responsible for their grand popularity. In 2018, 55% of young Americans said having a picnic was their favorite warm-weather activity.
And as the concept of picnics has spread, a myriad of different traditions have arisen in a plethora of different places. There are very few, if any, cultures around the world that do not engage in picnicking in their own way.
Picnics are a wonderful way to get outside and enjoy what your city has to offer you. And after a hike or walk, you’ll be antsy for a nice break and a yummy meal.
Timeline
1789: The French Revolution Happens
After the French Revolution, royal parks open to the public for the first time, popularizing picnics.
1800: Picnics Spread to the British Isles
The concept of picnic spreads to Britain and the rest of the Isles, with an official Picnic Society meeting regularly near the Pantheon in London.
1989: Picnics to Protest
In a protest in favor of German reunification, the Pan-European Picnic takes place along the Hungarian and Austrian border.
2000: France Breaks a World Record
On Bastille Day, France successfully organizes a 600-mile long picnic along its coast to celebrate the new millennium.
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International Picnic Day: Meaning
We love going out for picnics and day outs. Don't we? Picnic is one popular activity across the globe that brings friends and families together to spend some quality time with each other. Considering the fame, International Picnic Day is celebrated on June 18, annually. This year, going out for picnics might not be a feasible idea; but that doesn't mean we can't celebrate it at all. All you need to do is, spread a mat in the middle of your living room, switch on some good music and enjoy the day with some games and foods.
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| Photo: Vntrip |
The very thought of picnic reminds us of all the fuss-free and quick foods. Take wraps and rolls for instance. They are one of the easiest on-the-go grubs to whip up ever and the best part is that you can create a roll using only a handful of ingredients. The dish is so versatile that it can be turned into both an elaborate feast and a super simple easy meal - as per your choice.
From tandoori tikka rolls in India to delicious seaweed-wrapped sushi in Japan and delectably juicy chicken shawarmas in the Middle East, each country has its own style of making the yummy wrap or roll.
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| Photo: Leafbuyer |
International Picnic Day: Celebrations
Those who want to get in on the fun can find plenty of opportunities to celebrate this enjoyable day. Consider these creative ways of celebrating or come up with a list of your own:
Join a Picnic Day Event
Charity events, school picnics and all kinds of other group meals are organized to mark the occasion. Check with a community board or website to see if any picnics are planned locally. Look particularly at local parks or museums that often plan these types of events. If they are having one nearby, join in. If not–go ahead and organize it!
Have a Personal Picnic for Lunch or Dinner
A great way to celebrate International Picnic Day is to bike, walk or hike to a nearby beauty spot, or just take your sandwiches and cold hard-boiled eggs into the garden and enjoy an al fresco lunch. Those who are at work for the day can just take their normal lunch hour to head out to a patch of grass or park nearby.
Find a new park
What better excuse to explore your city than in search of the perfect picnic place? Chances are there are hidden parks all over your surrounding area that you haven’t had the chance to check out. Maybe you’ll find a new favorite!
Other ideas for piling foods into a picnic basket include:
Sandwiches: Perhaps the perfect picnic food, sandwiches make everything easy. Just pile some meat, cheese, and vegetables on a couple of pieces of bread. Add a few condiments, such as mustard or mayonnaise, and it’s a great start for a picnic.
Fruit: Most fruits come with their own natural packaging, making them the ideal food for a picnic. Grab some apples, oranges, bananas, or a giant watermelon to enjoy outside.
Side Dishes: Easy salads, potato chips, or a tray filled with veggies will make a picnic super tasty!
| AROUND THE WORLD IN 80 PICNICS The word itself comes from French: The French were the first to popularize picnicking, which they referred to as ‘pique-niques.’ The British loved picnics: Throughout the early 1800s, an official Picnic Society met regularly near the Pantheon in London. Cherry blossoms mean one thing in Japan: When the cherry blossoms bloom for a short time across Japan, citizens flock to parks to enjoy the fleeting smells and sights. Picnics are a Christmas tradition!: In Argentina and other places in the Southern Hemisphere, people use warm-weathered Christmas time to enjoy picnics. In Greece, picnics pair with religion: When Greek people begin celebrating Lent, they often gather in parks to eat acceptable foods and fly kites as a group tradition. |
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