It was Harvey Ball, a commercial artist from Worcester, Massachusetts, who created the smiley face in 1963, which went on to become a globally recognised symbol of good will and happiness. To ensure the retention of its original meaning, Harvey came up with the idea of World Smile Day® on the first Friday in October each year.
He thought that all of us should devote at least one day each year to smiles and kind acts throughout the world. The smiley face knows no politics, no geography and no religion; and for at least on World Smile Day, neither should we. After Harvey died in 2001, the Harvey Ball World Smile Foundation was created to honour his name and memory. The Foundation continues as the official sponsor of World Smile Day® each year.
So, at least for today on World Smile Day we can all be ambassadors, spreading smiles and doing acts of kindness throughout the world.
Happy World Smile Day! : )
