Teddy Bear Picnic Day
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Overview
Teddy Bear Picnic Day is an informal annual celebration held on July 10th, encouraging people of all ages to gather their beloved teddy bears for an outdoor picnic. It's a day dedicated to imaginative play, enjoying nature, and creating cherished memories with these iconic plush companions, often involving blankets, packed lunches, and the company of family and friends.
Origin and story
The day is inspired by the popular children's song "The Teddy Bears' Picnic," with music composed by John Walter Bratton in 1907 and lyrics added by Jimmy Kennedy in 1932.
The teddy bear itself was named after U.S. President Theodore Roosevelt, following a hunting trip incident in 1902 where he refused to shoot a bear cub.
Quick facts
- DateJuly 10
- TypeNature / Outdoors
- Great forGardeners, Hikers, Eco clubs
Also on this date
Ways to celebrate
The picnic itself comes from a song that took 25 years to gain its lyrics. American composer John Walter Bratton wrote the tune in 1907 as an instrumental two-step, and it wasn't until 1932 that Irish songwriter Jimmy Kennedy added the now-familiar words — "If you go down in the woods today, you're sure of a big surprise" — turning a forgotten dance instrumental into an enduring children's classic.
Actually pack a picnic
- Bring a blanket, snacks, and a favorite teddy bear (or several) outside for a real picnic, rather than just a themed indoor activity.
Read the song's surprising history
Helpful resources: The Library of Congress traces the tune's journey from a 1907 instrumental to a beloved song in "The Library of Congress Presents the Songs of America: 'The Teddy Bear's Picnic.'"
Listen to an early recording
- Look up the 1932 BBC radio recording, sung by Val Rosing, which introduced Kennedy's lyrics to the public for the first time.
Did you know?
When Bratton's melody was first released in 1907, some listeners accused him of echoing an 1895 military march by composer Robert Browne Hall — no formal claim was ever filed, and the tune has stayed exactly as written ever since.
Fun facts
- The day is inspired by the popular children's song "The Teddy Bears' Picnic," with music composed by John Walter Bratton in 1907 and lyrics added by Jimmy Kennedy in 1932.
- The teddy bear itself was named after U.S. President Theodore Roosevelt, following a hunting trip incident in 1902 where he refused to shoot a bear cub.
- The concept of picnics, informal outdoor meals, gained widespread popularity in Europe during the 18th and 19th centuries, often featuring cold meats, cheeses, and bread.
Sources and attribution
External links may lead to third-party websites.
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FAQ
- When is Teddy Bear Picnic Day?
- It is observed on July 10 each year.
- What is Teddy Bear Picnic Day?
- Teddy Bear Picnic Day is an informal annual celebration held on July 10th, encouraging people of all ages to gather their beloved teddy bears for an outdoor picnic. It's a day dedicated to imaginative play, enjoying nature, and creating cherished memories with these iconic plush companions, often involving blankets, packed lunches, and the company of family and friends.
- How do people celebrate Teddy Bear Picnic Day?
- Pack a real picnic with your teddy bear, listen to the 1932 recording of 'The Teddy Bears' Picnic,' and read up on how the tune started as a wordless 1907 dance instrumental before gaining its famous lyrics 25 years later.
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