This year, on October 3, 2008 we celebrate World Smile Day � X. As ever the theme for the day is "Do an act of kindness. Help one person smile." And, as ever, the image that leads the way on this day is the smiley face.
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 that 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�.
The very first World Smile Day� took place in Worcester, MA on October 1, 1999. What a celebration it was! State and local dignitaries gathered and read proclamations in support of the day. Another proclamation recognizing the day was read on the floor of the United States Congress and is now part of the Congressional Record, the reporter of the official proceedings of the US Congress. Thousands of Worcester school children created World Smile Day� cards that were then delivered to area hospitals and nursing homes. The event became national and even international news.
The US Postal service came to Worcester that day to unveil its new Smiley Face stamp design. And, the Postal Service issued a special cancellation just for that event. Each year since then the USPS has issued a different cancellation commemorating the day.
In his inaugural address on that very first World Smile Day� Harvey Ball laid the groundwork for that World Smile Day� saying that the smiley face ��just reflects what is inside every one of us � a smile is what we want to see when we look at another human being.� He said, �Sometimes we forget that. Sometimes the world seems big and filled with problems that are too hard to understand much less solve. We start to believe that we are too small to make a difference. But that�s not true. The truth is that every one of us has the ability to make a difference every day.�
Harvey's hometown of Worcester, MA has been and continues to be the epicenter for World Smile Day�.
In 2000, Worcester created the world's largest smiley face jigsaw puzzle.
Sadly, in April 2001, Harvey passed away just shy of his 80th birthday. However, in October of that year Worcester's citizens converged on City Hall Plaza to observe World Smile Day� and decorate the plaza with smiley faces under the direction of Sidewalk Sam, a street artist well known throughout Northeastern US.
In 2002 Worcesterites gathered once again to observe World Smile Day�, donning yellow and black ponchos to form a huge human smiling face.
In 2003, it was a balloon release containing messages of hope and goodwill.
In 2004 the Harvey Ball World Smile Foundation, created in 2002 to honor Harvey Ball's name and legacy, combined fun and philanthropy and sponsored a "Where's Smiley" contest. The Foundation awarded a $10,000.00 grant to the contest winner; a Worcester based non-profit organization, Poetry Oasis, Inc.
In 2005, the Harvey Ball World Smile Foundation sponsored a �Count the Smiles� contest. More than 1000 people tried to guess the number of smiley candies in a very large vase. The three closest guesses won the opportunity to direct a charitable gift from the Harvey Ball World Smile Foundation to the charity of their choice.
In 2006 in Worcester we kept our �Eyes on the Pies.� It was a pie-eating contest for charity! The teams gathered at Worcester City Hall Plaza on World Smile Day� and competed for the chance to direct charitable gifts from the Harvey Ball World Smile Foundation to a charity, non-profit organization or school of their choice.
In 2007 we spread smiles all around the greater Worcester area on World Smile Day�. With the help of radio station WCRN and talk show host Hank Stolz we visited many homes throughout the area delivering smiles and treats to those whose names had been suggested by friends and loved ones. We also broadcast live from City Hall Plaza allowing everyone to send out World Smile Day� greetings over the airwaves. Over the years a growing number of people from around the world, especially teachers, have joined in the World Smile Day� spirit and held their own observances centered on the "Do an act of kindness. Help one person smile." theme. Indeed anyone can observe the Day. It costs nothing but yields so much.
