World Smile Day 2023: Date, history and significance

World Smile Day 2023: Date, history and significance

World Smile Day is an annual celebration dedicated to spreading happiness and encouraging acts of kindness and goodwill around the world. It typically falls on the first Friday in October each year. In 2023, World Smile Day will be observed on October 6th.

History:

World Smile Day was initiated by Harvey Ball, a commercial artist from Worcester, Massachusetts, who is best known for creating the iconic yellow smiley face symbol in 1963. In 1999, Harvey Ball passed away, and some concerned individuals worried that the true meaning and intent behind the smiley face had become lost in commercialization. To remedy this, Harvey’s son, Charles “Smiley” Ball, and other volunteers established World Smile Corporation and declared the first World Smile Day on October 1, 1999. Their goal was to dedicate one day each year to perform acts of kindness and encourage people to smile to make the world a better place.

Significance:

World Smile Day serves as a reminder of the power of a simple smile and the positive impact it can have on individuals and communities. The day encourages people to engage in acts of kindness, small or large, to brighten someone’s day and promote happiness. Whether it’s through a smile, a kind gesture, or a charitable act, the aim is to create a ripple effect of positivity and goodwill.

On World Smile Day, you can participate by:

1. Smiling: Start your day with a smile and greet others with warmth and kindness.
2. Performing Acts of Kindness: Engage in acts of kindness, such as helping a neighbor, volunteering at a local charity, or buying coffee for a stranger.
3. Sharing Smiles: Share positive messages, jokes, or funny stories to make people laugh and brighten their day.
4. Supporting Charities: Contribute to charities and organizations that work to improve the lives of others.

Remember that World Smile Day is not just about smiling on the outside but also about fostering a spirit of generosity, compassion, and positivity that can benefit individuals and society as a whole.