Harvey Ball, the man behind the creation of the iconic smiley face, passed away in 2001, but his legacy continues to bring joy and kindness to the world through World Smile Day, which he established in 1999.
Ball’s idea for World Smile Day was to encourage people to perform acts of kindness, and it has been celebrated annually on the first Friday of October since its inception.
This year, World Smile Day 2024 once again reminds us of the power of a simple smile, as we reflect on Ball’s lasting impact on global kindness.
The Harvey Ball World Smile Foundation continues his mission of spreading smiles and kindness in his honor.
As Joseph Colburn shared on social media, “Yes, this world could use some serious real, caring smiles being kind when it’s not and very difficult to do in certain times."
Another commenter, Jamie Lampman, simply stated, "Smile," capturing the essence of Ball’s message.
Harvey Ball’s creation of the smiley face and his dedication to promoting kindness remain significant contributions to the world, ensuring that his memory endures through every smile.