Welcome

Welcome to the World Smile Day® 2012 website.

As is well known by now throughout the world Harvey Ball, a commercial artist from Worcester, Massachusetts created the smiley face in 1963. That image went on to become the most recognizable symbol of good will and good cheer on the planet.

As the years passed Harvey Ball became concerned about the over-commercialization of his symbol, and how its original meaning and intent had become lost in the constant repetition of the marketplace. Out of that concern came his idea for World Smile Day®. He thought that we, all of us, should devote one day each year to smiles and kind acts throughout the world. The smiley face knows no politics, no geography and no religion. Harvey’s idea was that for at least one day each year, neither should we. He declared that the first Friday in October each year would henceforth be World Smile Day®. Ever since that first World Smile Day® held in 1999, it has continued every year in Smiley's hometown of Worcester, MA and around the world.

After Harvey died in 2001, the Harvey Ball World Smile Foundation was created to honor his name and memory. The Foundation continues as the official sponsor of World Smile Day® each year.

This website was created to provide information about World Smile Day®, Harvey Ball and Smiley. Browse the archives to learn more about past World Smile Day® events, Smiley and his creator - Harvey Ball. And be sure to join the celebration this year on Friday, October 5th, and "Do an act of kindness. Help one person smile"!

World Smile Day® Around the Country and the World

Be a World Smile Day® Ambassador and let us know what you'll be doing!

Every year we receive emails and letters from people around the world informing us of the events they have organized or how they as individuals planned to observe World Smile Day®. We consider them to be "World Smile Day Ambassadors". You too can be an Ambassador by making people aware of World Smile Day® and its purpose and message.

Organize events to mark the day at school, work, with your organization or as an individual. Recognize those who perform acts of kindness everyday. Surprise those in need of a smile.

The possibilities are endless and the theme is simple - "Do an act of kindness. Help one person smile!" Please let us and the world know how you will observe the day by leaving a message on our comments board shown below and have great World Smile day®!

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WSD2011 Photo Highlights

Smiley's Hometown Issues Proclamation

WSD Archives >> World Smile Day® 2011

The Mayor of the City of Worcester, Massachusetts and the City Council issued an official Proclamation recognizing and honoring World Smile Day® on Oct 7th.

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The Harvey Ball 2011

WSD Archives >> World Smile Day® 2011

The 11th Annual Harvey Ball, sponsored by the Worcester Historical Museum of Worcester, Massachusetts, was held on Oct. 6, 2011 at Mechanics Hall in Worcester. Myles and Jean McDonough were honored with the Harvey Ball Smile Award for their work and achievements.

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Worcester Seven Hills Charter School Chorus at the 11th Annual Harvey Ball

The chorus of the Seven Hills Charter School of Worcester, Massachusetts performed several World Day Day® songs at The Harvey Ball including "The Smiley Face Song" and "It's a World Smile Day"..

11th Annual Harvey Ball Smile Award Recipients

Myles and Jean McDonough were honored at this event and received the Harvey Ball Smile Award for their community work and achievements.

Smile Someone on WSD '11

WSD Archives >> World Smile Day® 2011

In Worcester, MA hundreds of Smile Certificates were delivered by local celebrities and volunteers to unsuspecting but worthy recipients whose names had been submitted by others online. Thousands more e-certificates were sent from the World Smile Day website by people around the world.

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The Worcester South High School Marching Band

The South High School Marching Band provided an exciting start to the World Smile Day® 2011 celebration on Worcester Common by City Hall Plaza..

Special Guests Arrive For The Celebration

Yes they do walk in a line holding tails.

A Lunch Party on World Smile Day ®

It was an unusual sight to see six elephants on the steps of City Hall without a political interest. It was a historical day. The elephants enjoyed the stroll to the Worcester Common on that beautiful day then entertained the audience and were rewarded with a healthy lunch buffet.

The Ringling Brothers & Barnum and Bailey Circus Celebrate World Smile Day in Worcester, MA

Ringling Brothers & Barnum and Bailey Circus joined the World Smile Day® Celebration to bring smiles to faces in Worcester, Massachusetts with clowns, jugglers, and elephants and of course - The Ring Master.