The date

International Picnic Day is celebrated every year on June 18 in many countries all over the world, although its origins are uncertain.

Etymology and history of the picnic

Though the provenance of the word ‘picnic’ is unknown, it is believed to come from the French ‘pique-nique’, which referred to people who brought their own wine while dining at a restaurant.

Picnicking was common in France after the French Revolution, when it became possible for ordinary people to visit and mingle in the country’s royal parks. In 18th and 19th centuries, picnics were elaborate social events with complex meals and fancy drinks that sometimes took days to prepare.

The origin of the word picnic

Picnics as a revolutionary tool

Throughout history, picnics have also played a part in some political protests, where large groups of people would gather together and occupy public territories while picnicking. The Pan-European Picnic, for example, was held as a peace demonstration on August 19, 1989, at the Austrian-Hungarian border near Sopron, Hungary. It formed part of the revolutionary wave of 1989 that led to the lifting of the Iron Curtain.

Fun fact…

According to the Guinness Book of World Records, the biggest picnic in the world was organized in Lisbon, Portugal, on June 20, 2009, with more than 20,000 participants.

Interesting picnic ideas

Picnics can be a great way to spend time with friends, family and colleagues, and can also make for a memorable romantic meet-up. You can get creative when organizing your event for this year’s International Picnic Day – take some inspiration from our fun picnic ideas and make it a day to remember. We also encourage you to use the information above to impress your friends with your knowledge about picnics and their role in society throughout the years.

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