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Fascinating Historical Photos of People Having a Picnic from the 1930s-1960s

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The word picnic comes from the French word “pique-nique.” The word appears in print for the first time in Tony Willis’ 1692 Origines de la Langue Française, which mentions “pique-nique” as being recent. It referred to a group of people dining in a restaurant who brought their own wine. Picnics were long associated with a meal to which everyone contributed.

Picnicking has evolved from an upper-class luxury to a cheap way to spend an afternoon with friends. Picnics became popular during the French Revolution. Several French aristocrats fled to other Western countries, carrying their picnicking traditions with them. The royal parks of France became a popular meeting place for people of all classes after the Revolution.

Here are some historical photos of people enjoying their picnics from the past.

#1 A company of three enjoying a picnic in the countryside, 1931

A company of three enjoying a picnic in the countryside, 1931

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The ladies are wearing white summer dresses, the chap is dressed in a single-breasted suit.

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#2 A stylish couple enjoying a picnic on a windy day in the Scottish Highlands near Buachaille Etive Mòr mountain, 1932

A stylish couple enjoying a picnic on a windy day in the Scottish Highlands near Buachaille Etive Mòr mountain, 1932

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#3 Four fashionable ladies enjoying a picnic in the countryside next to a Peugeot 201, registered in the French département of Nord, 1932

Four fashionable ladies enjoying a picnic in the countryside next to a Peugeot 201, registered in the French département of Nord, 1932

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#4 A family of three enjoying a picnic in the countryside. A 1933 Pontiac Eight Coupe can be seen in the background, 1935

A family of three enjoying a picnic in the countryside. A 1933 Pontiac Eight Coupe can be seen in the background, 1935

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#5 A lady dressed in a white blouse and tie and her two sons enjoying a picnic in the countryside, 1935

A lady dressed in a white blouse and tie and her two sons enjoying a picnic in the countryside, 1935

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A BMW 3/20 PS Cabriolet can be seen behind them.

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#6 A young lady raising her glass in a meadow in the countryside, 1935

A young lady raising her glass in a meadow in the countryside, 1935

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The drink is Berliner Weisse, a beer usually served with flavored syrups, 1935

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#7 Two stylish young ladies and a fellow enjoying a picnic in the countryside, 1935

Two stylish young ladies and a fellow enjoying a picnic in the countryside, 1935

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An Opel 1,8 Liter is registered in the Saxon district of Dresden can be seen in the background

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#8 A company of seven (including the photographer) enjoying a picnic in the countryside, 1936

A company of seven (including the photographer) enjoying a picnic in the countryside, 1936

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One of the cars is registered in the Saxon district of Zwickau.

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#9 A middle-aged fellow in a suit and tie posing at a picnic table in the countryside, 1938

A middle-aged fellow in a suit and tie posing at a picnic table in the countryside, 1938

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The Simca 5 is registered in the French département of Rhône.

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#10 A young lady in a polka dot dress enjoying a picnic in the woods, 1938

A young lady in a polka dot dress enjoying a picnic in the woods, 1938

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A Hanomag Rekord can be seen in the background.

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#11 A young woman in a white blouse and a dark skirt seductively lying on a picnic blanket, 1938

A young woman in a white blouse and a dark skirt seductively lying on a picnic blanket, 1938

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A Renault Celtaquatre can be seen In the background.

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#12 Two ladies, probably mother and daughter, enjoying a picnic in the countryside, 1948

Two ladies, probably mother and daughter, enjoying a picnic in the countryside, 1948

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A shabby-looking 1930s convertible can be seen in the background. The car is registered in the French département of Ain.

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#13 A lady preparing a roadside picnic next to a Fiat 1100 on a mountain road, 1950

A lady preparing a roadside picnic next to a Fiat 1100 on a mountain road, 1950

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The car has post-war Austrian licence plates from the state of Lower Austria.

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#14 A lady in a white dress posing at a picnic table with a 1950 Chevrolet Fleetline DeLuxe, 1952

A lady in a white dress posing at a picnic table with a 1950 Chevrolet Fleetline DeLuxe, 1952

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Two cans of beer and a soft drink bottle are standing on the table. In the background, a lake or ocean can be seen.

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#15 A mother and her daughter enjoying a roadside picnic in the countryside, 1954

A mother and her daughter enjoying a roadside picnic in the countryside, 1954

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A German-built Ford Taunus 12 M can be seen parked behind them.

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#16 A mother and her children enjoying a picnic in the countryside, 1955

A mother and her children enjoying a picnic in the countryside, 1955

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An Austin A40 Devon can be seen inside the car's boot. The car is registered in the Canadian province of Ontario.

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#17 Two cheerful ladies and a bald fellow in a suit enjoying a picnic in the countryside, 1955

Two cheerful ladies and a bald fellow in a suit enjoying a picnic in the countryside, 1955

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A Mercedes 170 V can be seen in the background.

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#18 Two stylish ladies, possibly mother and daughter, posing on a picnic table in the countryside, 1955

Two stylish ladies, possibly mother and daughter, posing on a picnic table in the countryside, 1955

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A hardtop coupe, probably a 1952 Pontiac Catalina, can be seen parked in the background

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#19 A lady sitting at a picnic table under chestnut trees in late afternoon sunshine, 1960

A lady sitting at a picnic table under chestnut trees in late afternoon sunshine, 1960

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A Steyr-Puch 500 DL, equipped with a roof rack and laden with camping gear is parked next to the table, registered in the city of Vienna

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Written by Aung Budhh

Husband + Father + librarian + Poet + Traveler + Proud Buddhist. I love you with the breath, the smiles and the tears of all my life.

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