Pink is a cheerful, playful color found in sunsets, flowers, flamingos and bubblegum. National Pink Day, on June 23, celebrates this cheerful hue. It's a fun day to wear pink, eat pink foods, decorate with pink flowers and learn about the surprising history of the color.
History of National Pink Day
The color pink is named after a flower. In the 1600s, the word 'pink' referred to flowers called pinks, from the Dianthus family, which have frilly edges that look as if they were cut with pinking shears. Over time, the flower's name came to describe the pale red color.
In the 1700s, pink became fashionable among European aristocrats, including Madame de Pompadour in France. In the 1800s and early 1900s, pink was not strongly associated with girls; some sources even recommended pink for boys because it was seen as a lighter version of red, a strong color. The strong association of pink with girls became widespread in the United States after the 1940s.
In the 1990s, the pink ribbon became a symbol of breast cancer awareness. Who started National Pink Day is not documented.
Why National Pink Day Matters
Pink is associated with kindness, playfulness and care, and it can brighten any day.
The history of pink shows how ideas about colors change over time and across cultures.
The day can also encourage people to support causes linked to the color pink, such as breast cancer awareness organizations.
Pink also appears throughout nature in surprising ways. Flamingos, roseate spoonbills, pink dolphins in the Amazon, cherry blossoms and pink sand beaches all show the color's variety. Exploring where pink appears in the natural world is a fun way for children to learn about animals, plants and geography.
How to Celebrate National Pink Day
- Wear pink: dress in pink clothes or accessories.
- Eat pink foods: enjoy strawberries, watermelon or pink lemonade.
- Decorate: add pink flowers or balloons.
- Learn color history: read about how pink got its name.
- Support a cause: donate to a breast cancer charity.
Celebrating at Work, School and Home
At work, invite coworkers to wear pink for a team photo, or hold a pink bake sale for a charity. In classrooms, students can learn about color mixing (red plus white makes pink), study flamingos, or explore how color associations change. At home, families can make pink foods like strawberry smoothies, plant pink flowers, or create pink art. It's a fun day for everyone, regardless of gender.
Fun Facts About National Pink Day
- Pink is named after Dianthus flowers called pinks.
- Pink was not strongly associated with girls until the 20th century.
- Flamingos get their pink color from their diet.
National Pink Day FAQs
When is National Pink Day?
National Pink Day is June 23.
How did pink get its name?
From Dianthus flowers called pinks.
Why are flamingos pink?
Pigments in their diet of algae and shrimp.
Was pink always a girls' color?
No; the strong association became common in the 20th century.