When is World Emoji Day?

It is observed on July 17 each year.

How do people celebrate World Emoji Day?

Do one small favor quietly for a friend or coworker.

World Emoji Day — Obscure Holiday Calendar

Overview

World Emoji Day is an annual celebration of emojis, observed globally on July 17th. The date was specifically chosen because it is the date displayed on the calendar emoji (🗓️) in Apple's iOS, a detail that was subsequently adopted by other platforms. The day encourages people to use and appreciate emojis as a form of communication, reflecting on their impact on digital interactions. It's often marked by new emoji announcements, discussions about their cultural significance, and general appreciation for these small digital icons.

Observed each year on July 17, World Emoji Day invites people to pause, share the story, and bring a little themed joy to their day.

Origin and story

The first set of emojis was created in 1999 by Shigetaka Kurita for NTT DoCoMo's i-mode mobile internet platform in Japan, predating smartphones.

The specific date of July 17th for World Emoji Day was chosen by Emojipedia founder Jeremy Burge in 2014, inspired by the date shown on Apple's calendar emoji (🗓️).

Quick facts

DateJuly 17
TypeKindness / Community
Great forCommunity groups, Friends, Coworkers

Also on this date

Ways to celebrate

Do one small favor quietly for a friend or coworker.
World Emoji Day lands on July 17 — host a quick nod with Community groups, Friends and snap a photo.
Pair music, snacks, or décor that match the theme and enjoy a small break.
Plan a 10-minute activity that fits the kindness / community vibe and make it a mini tradition.
Share one fast fact about World Emoji Day: The first set of emojis was created in 1999 by Shigetaka Kurita for NTT DoCoMo's i-mode mobile internet platform in Japan, predating smartphones.

Fun facts

The first set of emojis was created in 1999 by Shigetaka Kurita for NTT DoCoMo's i-mode mobile internet platform in Japan, predating smartphones.
The specific date of July 17th for World Emoji Day was chosen by Emojipedia founder Jeremy Burge in 2014, inspired by the date shown on Apple's calendar emoji (🗓️).
The word 'emoji' comes from the Japanese words 'e' (絵, 'picture') and 'moji' (文字, 'character'), literally meaning 'picture character' and is not related to the English word 'emotion'.

Sources and attribution

Source not provided.

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FAQ

When is World Emoji Day?: It is observed on July 17 each year.
What is World Emoji Day?: World Emoji Day is an annual celebration of emojis, observed globally on July 17th. The date was specifically chosen because it is the date displayed on the calendar emoji (🗓️) in Apple's iOS, a detail that was subsequently adopted by other platforms. The day encourages people to use and appreciate emojis as a form of communication, reflecting on their impact on digital interactions. It's often marked by new emoji announcements, discussions about their cultural significance, and general appreciation for these small digital icons.
How do people celebrate World Emoji Day?: Do one small favor quietly for a friend or coworker.

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