World Smile Day – October 7, 2022, history significance why we celebrate
The first Friday of October is World Smile Day (October 7), a relatively new holiday with a fascinating story. Created by a commercial artist named Harvey Ball, this day came about as a response to his creation of the smiley face.
Harvey worried that the commercialization of the symbol would lessen its impact. We can hardly blame him for his estimation; the symbol has been used in many different ways including clothing, comic books, coffee mugs, pins, and more. These little yellow faces are more than just a symbol, they’re a statement about the power of smiling.
History of World Smile Day
World Smile Day was first observed in the year 1999. Harvey Ball has coined and initiated the idea of celebrating such a day. Every first Friday of October is celebrated as this day. The Smile Day has its history. Harvey Ball, a commercial artist from Worcester, Massachusetts, is known to have created the Smiley Face in 1963.
The Smiley symbol has become the most recognizable symbol of goodwill and good cheer on the earth. It is one of the famous iconic symbols in the world ever since its launch. The purpose of this holiday has a reason. Harvey Ball thought to move away from the commercialization of the smiley and to use the smiley as a symbol of kindness and affection.
The original meaning and intent of Smiley had become lost in the constant repetition of the marketplace as years passed. Harvey Ball had become concerned about the over-commercialization of his Smiley symbol. That concern made him get an idea for World Smile Day. Harvey Ball thought that every individual on the earth must dedicate one day each year to smile and spread kind acts.
His smiley face knows no religion, no habitat, and no politics. Thus he declared the first Friday of every October would henceforth be World Smile Day. Ever since it was held in 1999, it has continued every year in Smiley’s hometown of Worcester, MA, and from around the world.
The smiley was debuted as a way to increase the morale of the life insurance company employees. In the present day, the most popular non-verbal way to convey every human emotion is through the smiley. In modern-day texting tools, smileys are playing a prominent role in expressing one’s emotions.
They are called smileys or emoticons. Through smiles, one can easily express joy, happiness, cheer, sadness, surprise, worry, laughter, and even more. The smiley face was created as a bright yellow circle with two black dots that represent eyes and a black half arc that represents a smiling mouth.
After Harvey passed away in 2001, the Harvey Ball World Smile Foundation was created to honor his name and memory. The Foundation continues as the official sponsor of World Smile Day each year.
“Improving this world, one smile at a time” is the slogan of the Smile Foundation. It carried forth his message of simple peace and love. The goal of the foundation is to “make as many people as possible aware of World Smile Day.” World Smile Day gives you an opportunity to help you and people around you to brighten the world with smiles.
WORLD SMILE DAY TIMELINE
1963
The creation
The commercial artist Harvey Ball creates the smiley face.
1970s
Let’s get political
The smiley face is used in cartoons, comics, and for political movements.
1990s
Pixel perfect
The popularity of the smiley face emoji increases with the expansion of the internet and its use as an emoji.
1999
It’s official
World Smile Day becomes an official holiday to inspire acts of kindness.
2001
Never stop smiling
Harvey Ball passes away, but the power of the smile continues thanks in large part because of his dream.
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FIVE SURPRISING FACTS ABOUT WORLD SMILE DAY
Happiness is biological
When you smile, neurotransmitters called endorphins are created that cause feelings of pleasure.
Why yellow?
Yellow is used as the color of the smiley face because it’s a symbol of cheerfulness.
Money-maker
The Smiley Company office in London, England, is worth more than $55m per year.
Multiplicity
In 1999, 470 iterations of the smileys were created for internet emoticons.
Sweet Charity
The World Smile Foundation is a non-profit charitable trust that supports wonderful children’s causes.
How to Celebrate World Smile Day
Celebrating World Smile Day is very simple. Wear a smile on your face as is the best way to celebrate and enjoy this day. Show your love and care to others by smiling. You can even visit Worcester where a large number of activities will be conducted every year on this day. Conduct events in your region and celebrate the day with more people and make their lives better. Post and share your celebrations with a smile on social media using the hashtag #WorldSmileDay.
