Smile Power Day
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Overview
Smile Power Day, observed annually on June 15th, is an unofficial holiday dedicated to recognizing and promoting the significant positive impact of a simple smile. It encourages individuals to harness the power of this universal expression to improve their own mood, reduce stress, foster connections, and spread positivity to others, highlighting how a genuine smile can brighten not only one's day but also the days of those around them.
Origin and story
Smiling can boost your mood because it releases endorphins, natural pain relievers, and serotonin, acting as a natural antidepressant.
There are at least 19 different types of smiles, but only one, the 'Duchenne smile,' involves both the mouth and the eyes, indicating genuine joy.
Quick facts
- DateJune 15
- TypeCultural / community observance
- Great forFriends, Families, Classrooms, Teams
Also on this date
Ways to celebrate
The world's most famous smile was a $45 freelance job. In 1963, graphic artist Harvey Ball spent about 10 minutes sketching a yellow circle with two dots and a curved line for an insurance company's morale campaign — he never trademarked it, and the smiley face went on to become one of the most reproduced images on Earth without ever making him rich.
Actually smile at people
- Make eye contact and smile at a few strangers today — cashiers, neighbors, coworkers — as a small, low-effort experiment in whether it changes the interaction.
Read the real story behind the icon
Helpful resources: Smithsonian Magazine traces Harvey Ball's quick sketch and its unlikely rise in "Who Really Invented the Smiley Face?"
Send one along
- Text or write a genuine compliment to someone, rather than just a smiley emoji — the digital descendant of Ball's original design.
Did you know?
Because Ball never patented or trademarked his design, he received no royalties as it was reproduced on millions of buttons, mugs, and later, as the now-ubiquitous emoji — a fortune he reportedly never seemed to resent missing out on.
Fun facts
- Smiling can boost your mood because it releases endorphins, natural pain relievers, and serotonin, acting as a natural antidepressant.
- There are at least 19 different types of smiles, but only one, the 'Duchenne smile,' involves both the mouth and the eyes, indicating genuine joy.
- A smile is the most universally understood facial expression, recognized across all cultures as a sign of goodwill and happiness.
Sources and attribution
External links may lead to third-party websites.
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FAQ
- When is Smile Power Day?
- It is observed on June 15 each year.
- What is Smile Power Day?
- Smile Power Day, observed annually on June 15th, is an unofficial holiday dedicated to recognizing and promoting the significant positive impact of a simple smile. It encourages individuals to harness the power of this universal expression to improve their own mood, reduce stress, foster connections, and spread positivity to others, highlighting how a genuine smile can brighten not only one's day but also the days of those around them.
- How do people celebrate Smile Power Day?
- Smile at a few strangers as a small experiment, send someone a genuine written compliment, and read up on Harvey Ball, who sketched the iconic yellow smiley face in 1963 for just $45 and never patented it.
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