01/10/2021
Don't $forget to, today!
World Smile Day,
The first Friday of October is World Smile Day (October 1), 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, theyâre a statement about the power of smiling.
History of World Smile Day
In 1963, Harvey Ball, a graphic artist and ad man from Worcester, Massachusetts, created the smiley face symbol weâve all come to know. Popularity for this symbol exploded into the world of popular culture. Itâs every artistsâ dream for their work to be respected and recreated and few symbols have had quite the legacy that Harveyâs creation has had.
Throughout the years, the smiley face has become one of the most well-known symbols in the world. It has appeared in movies such as âForest Gumpâ and used as a motif in the graphic novel, âWatchmen.â Itâs so well-known that just by saying âsmiley faceâ, we bet that you can see it in your mind. That recognizable yellow circle with black dots for eyes and a simple curve for a genuine and pure smile. However, the original smiley face had more of an oblong smile, a bit more hand drawn in aesthetic, taking up more space on the face than we see in modern recreations. Because of its overuse, it started to move away from its intent of goodwill and good cheer and he knew something had to be done.
In 1999, World Smile Day became an official holiday in order to regain control. The celebration aspects of the day were simple yet effective: people were to use the day to smile and make small acts of kindness worldwide. Harvey wanted to keep the smile connected to the human being. By doing so, youâd smile and in return, youâd make someone else smile and brighten up their day.
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.
World Smile Day FAQs
Does World Smile Day have a motto?
The Harvey Ball World Smile Foundation has the motto âEnhancing this world, one smile.â
Is World Smile Day celebrated around the world?
Events for World Smile Day are celebrated in the United States and all over the world.
What do they call the âsmiley faceâ in other countries?
In France it was called sourire, and in Japan, it was a âpeace love mark.â
Five Surprising Facts About World Smile Day
1. Happiness is biological
When you smile, neurotransmitters called endorphins are created that cause feelings of pleasure.
2. Why yellow?
Yellow is used as the color of the smiley face because it's a symbol of cheerfulness.
3. Money-maker
The Smiley Company office in London, England, is worth more than $55m per year.
4. Multiplicity
In 1999, 470 iterations of the smileys were created for internet emoticons.
5. Sweet Charity
The World Smile Foundation is a non-profit charitable trust that supports wonderful children's causes.
(NationalToday)
