World Thinking Day celebrations over the years
To celebrate 100 years of World Thinking Day, here's a look back at 15 ways we’ve marked the big day through the decades
The story of World Thinking Day begins in 1926 at the 4th World Conference.
The World Conferences are held every 3 years by the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts (WAGGGS), and are a key part of policy-making for our global movement.
It was here in 1926 that a French delegate suggested a brilliant idea - an ‘International Thinking Day’.
From local campfires and events to worldwide activity programmes and badges, for over 100 years this day, now known as World Thinking Day, has reminded us that we're part of a global community, WAGGGS.
To celebrate our 100th year, we’ve raided the archives to find 15 brilliant ways we’ve marked the big day.
1. The power of pennies (1932): the 22 February was chosen as the date because it was the joint birthday of Olave and Robert Baden-Powell, who were both instrumental in establishing Girlguiding and shaping its formative years. Olave was the first ever chief guide. At the 7th World Conference in Poland, Belgian delegate suggested that birthdays need gifts. This inspired Olave to ask every Guide to ‘spare a penny’ for their thoughts. In 2020, a staggering £131, 000 was raised to support guiding during the Covid-19 pandemic. And donations still happen today to support local units, whether it's giving equipment, monetary or giving time.
2. A very personal gift (1938): Olave Baden-Powell donated 7,665 pennies. Why that specific number? It represented exactly how many days she had been a Guide (21 years) at that time!
3. Taking to the stage (1936): In 1936, there was an all-Guide performance of ‘To-morrow’ for Thinking Day. The 1st Cricklewood Brownies were superstars, selling programmes at the Scala Theatre to raise money for a new London campsite.
4. Snail mail messages (1937): before social media, there were postcards! Guides have a long-standing tradition of swapping postcards with other groups across the UK and around the world. It’s still happening today. Our heritage collection even has cards dating back to 1937 and 1946!
5. A royal message (1943): it’s not just snail mail, but pigeon post too. During the second world war, the then Princess Elizabeth (who went on to become the late Queen Elizabeth II) sent a Thinking Day message to Olave Baden-Powell via carrier pigeon. Olave also received messages from across countries and regions too!
6. The post-war helping hand (1945): after the second world war, ‘Thinking Day Pennies’ were used to buy uniforms and equipment for Guide units in countries trying to restart after the conflict.
7. Sharing songs, stories and soup (1953): the 8th Lee North Guides celebrated by singing international Guide songs, sharing soup, reading stories and placing their pennies on the floor to form a giant Trefoil!
8. Campfires and candles (1966): before a campfire, the 1st Sheet (St Mary's) Company unit launched wooden boats carrying candles down the river. Each boat was named after a different country. As each one set sail, the girls said, ‘I am thinking of...’, followed by the country’s name.
9. A special symbol (1975): we finally got our official symbol! The World Trefoil in the centre represents WAGGGS. The arrows pointing inward represent action and the many ways members can help. The circular shape is a reminder that our community stretches all the way around the globe.
10. The first official badge (c.1984): the very first official Thinking Day badge was released, featuring the symbol in beautiful gilt and blue enamel. It started a massive tradition – there’s a unique badge for every year, including our special 2026 badge to celebrate 100 years!
12. Thinking Day on the Air (1988): this year saw the launch of ‘Thinking Day on the Air,’ where Guides used amateur radio to speak directly to one another across the world. We know some units took up the idea of 'Thinking Day on the Air in 1982. It wasn't officially launched, but grew in popularity over the following years, before becoming formalised with information packs. And yes, there’s a badge for taking part too!
13. The big bake (1997): there’s been lots of themes, activity packs and initiatives for World Thinking Day. This has helped groups to come together and work towards a shared goal. In 1997, this was baking biscuits. Girls around the world were asked to bake and sell biscuits as part of The Big Crunch. The money raised could be donated to the Thinking Day Fund. In 2017 at least 6,000 members across the world planted a tree as part of the Let’s Grow Challenge.
This year’s theme, chosen by WAGGGS, is ‘Our Friendship’. Find out more about the theme for 2026.
14. A new name (1999): at the 30th World Conference in Ireland, the movement decided its name should finally match its massive scale! It was officially changed from ‘Thinking Day’ to World Thinking Day, reminding us that we’re part of a worldwide organisation.
15. The virtual world tour (2021): when the world stayed home, guiding stayed connected. WAGGGS ran 7 massive virtual events and translated activity packs into 16 languages. This meant the celebration could continue online.
2026 - our centenary year!
We’ve made it to 100 years! To celebrate this momentous occasion, here's a message from our Patron, HRH Duchess of Edinburgh:
Each February, Girlguiding units and groups around the world mark World Thinking Day through shared activities and moments of contemplation, providing an opportunity for the guiding members to think of each other and their local communities.
In 2026, as we mark 100 years of World Thinking Day, I encourage you to reflect on the people you've met and friendships you've made through guiding, all made possible by the dedication of volunteers.
I wish you a happy World Thinking Day and I hope you enjoy marking this special anniversary together.' - HRH The Duchess of Edinburgh GCVO, Patron
As this year’s theme is ‘Our friendship’ you might consider becoming a friend of Girlguiding by giving a regular gift to help more girls join in over the next 100 years.
