World Emoji Day is an exciting holiday celebrated annually on July 17th, dedicated to the popular digital icons that have become an integral part of our modern communication. With their rise in popularity and widespread use across various digital platforms, emojis have evolved from simple pictographs to a universal language that transcends barriers of culture and language. In this article, we delve into the history, frequently asked questions, fun facts, and the significance of World Emoji Day.

A Brief History of the Holiday:

World Emoji Day was first established in 2014 by Jeremy Burge, the founder of Emojipedia, a comprehensive online emoji reference guide. The date, July 17th, was chosen because it corresponds to the “calendar” emoji 📅, which prominently features the date. The holiday gained momentum as people embraced emojis as a means of expression, leading to its recognition worldwide.

Five Frequently Asked Questions and Answers about the Holiday:

Q1: How can I celebrate World Emoji Day?

A1: There are numerous ways to celebrate World Emoji Day! You can organize emoji-themed parties 🎉, share your favorite emojis on social media, host emoji-related contests, or even create your own emoji-inspired art 🎨.

Q2: Are emojis a form of communication or a language?

A2: Emojis are not a formal language but can be considered a form of visual communication. They serve as an effective tool to convey emotions, ideas, and concepts in a concise and universally understandable manner.

Q3: Who decides which emojis are created and added to the emoji library?

A3: The Unicode Consortium, a non-profit organization, governs the standardization and expansion of emojis. They review and approve new emoji proposals submitted by various sources, including individuals, organizations, and even the general public.

Q4: How many emojis are there?

A4: As of the knowledge cutoff in September 2021, there are over 3,600 emojis in the Unicode Standard. This number continues to grow as new emojis are added each year.

Q5: Can emojis help businesses in their marketing efforts?

A5: Absolutely! Emojis can enhance brand communication, boost engagement, and add a touch of personality to marketing campaigns. When used strategically, emojis can help brands establish a connection with their target audience and convey messages more effectively.

Five Fun Facts about the Holiday:

Fact 1: The most popular emoji worldwide is the “Face with Tears of Joy” emoji 😂, which depicts uncontrollable laughter. It has been used billions of times across various platforms since its introduction.

Fact 2: In 2015, the Oxford English Dictionary named the “Face with Tears of Joy” emoji as the Word of the Year, highlighting its impact on digital communication.

Fact 3: The term “emoji” originated from the Japanese words “e” (picture) and “moji” (character). The first emoji set was created by Shigetaka Kurita for a Japanese mobile phone operator in the late 1990s.

Fact 4: The world’s largest emoji mosaic was created in 2016 in Moscow, Russia. It consisted of over 22,000 painted canvases and measured around 50,000 square feet.

Fact 5: Emojis have expanded to include diverse representation. In 2019, Apple introduced a range of inclusive emojis representing people with disabilities, promoting inclusivity and diversity in digital communication.

Why This Holiday is Important:

World Emoji Day holds significance for several reasons. Firstly, it celebrates the evolution of communication in the digital age, recognizing emojis as a visual language accessible to people worldwide. Emojis transcend language barriers, allowing individuals to express emotions, ideas, and cultural nuances with simplicity and efficiency. 

Furthermore, World Emoji Day highlights the power of emojis in fostering connections and understanding among people from different backgrounds. Emojis have become a global phenomenon, enabling individuals to communicate and relate to one another in a way that transcends traditional linguistic boundaries. By embracing emojis, we celebrate the diversity of human expression and promote inclusivity in our digital interactions. Happy World Emoji Day! 😄🌍🎉