While there’s no record of when the first National Pick Strawberries Day was celebrated, the history of the activity and the fruit goes way back. In ancient times, wild strawberries were used mainly for medicinal and therapeutic purposes. There are mentions of the fruit in Roman records that date to the first century A.D. In other centuries, the wonders of the fruit were also proclaimed in literary texts, and one prominent example includes the words of William Butler, a 16th-century writer/poet, who said, “Doubtless God could have made a better berry, but doubtless God never did”. The great properties of strawberries have also led to other historical figures using them. Madame Tallien, a renowned figure from the French Revolution, took baths in tubs full of strawberries to keep her skin glowing and radiant. Another example is Fontenelle, a centenarian writer from the 18th century, who credited his long and healthy life to his strawberry consumption.
As time went by, strawberries started being cultivated for mass consumption, with the first instance taking place in the 13th century. Initially, strawberries were only found in North and South America. However, globalization led to the fruit traveling great distances to other continents. After several failed attempts to grow the plant in France, the French horticulturalists finally succeeded in their endeavors in the 1750s. The resulting strawberry variety from the 1750s is one of the most produced varieties today. Strawberries are not only enjoyed by humans for their great taste and nutrients but are also used by bees for their nectar and pollination.
Resource: https://nationaltoday.com/national-pick-strawberries-day/
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