World Smile Day (07/10)

World Smile Day is celebrated annually on the first Friday of October. The world owes the fact that this wonderful holiday exists to the artist Harvey Ball. In the mid-20th century he lived in America. His work was not particularly remarkable: critics were not particularly interested in him; his paintings were unlikely to be threatened with immortality.

But once representatives of the insurance company State Mutual Life Assurance Company of America approached him with a request to come up with some bright and memorable symbol —, the company’s business card.

Harvey didn’t think long, took it and offered customers what now, without exception, all Internet users call a « emoticon» — smiling yellow face. This happened in 1963. Customers accepted the job, paid Bell fifty dollars, made badges with this face and distributed it to all company personnel. The success of such a «business card» exceeded all expectations. The company's clients were delighted with the — innovation; just a few months later, more than ten thousand icons were released!

Very soon, cute faces began to appear on T-shirts, baseball caps, envelopes, postcards, and matchboxes. Even the US Postal Department issued a stamp with this symbol.

Bell was literally bursting with pride. «Never before in the history of mankind and art has there been a single work that, having spread so widely, brought so much happiness, joy and pleasure. There was nothing done so simply, but it became clear to everyone», — he said in one of his many interviews.

It's so easy — smile and give your smile to others (Photo: Max Bukovski, licensed from Shutterstock.com)

World Smile Day was first celebrated in 1999. The artist believed that this day should be dedicated to a good mood; the motto of the Day is the words: «Do an act of kindness. Help one person smile», which can be translated something like this: «Do a good deed. Help at least one smile appear».

Since then, this holiday has been celebrated by enthusiasts around the world with various promotions and flash mobs. You can also join the holiday, because it’s so easy — smile and give your smile to other people, even strangers. Smile more often and the world around you will become much more positive. After all, as it is sung in a song from a Soviet cartoon: « Share your smile, and it will return to you more than once!».

Let us remind you that September 19 is celebrated annually with the birthday of «Smiley».



Postcard «World Smile Day»

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