World Emoji Day: Date, History & How to Celebrate
World Emoji Day is an unofficial holiday celebrated annually on July 17. It was created to honor emojis, the small digital icons used in text messages and social media, and to promote their use and enjoyment. The date was chosen because the calendar emoji on many platforms displays July 17.
Why July 17?
The choice of July 17 is directly tied to the calendar emoji (📅). On most major platforms—including Apple, Google, and Microsoft—the calendar icon shows the date July 17. The exact reason varies: for Apple, the date was set when the emoji was designed in 2002, and it has remained unchanged since. For Google, the date originally marked the day of the company’s 2008 emoji launch event. Over time, July 17 became the de facto standard because it was the most widely recognized date on the calendar emoji across platforms.
History and Origins
The first World Emoji Day was celebrated in 2014, created by Jeremy Burge, the founder of Emojipedia, the online encyclopedia of emojis. Burge chose July 17 because of the calendar emoji’s date. The day quickly gained traction on social media, with brands, celebrities, and tech companies participating. In 2016, Apple announced that it would change the calendar emoji on its platforms to July 17 to align with the holiday. By 2017, the day was widely recognized, with events like the annual Emoji Awards (held on World Emoji Day) and major brand campaigns.
How People Celebrate
Celebration is largely digital, but it also extends to real-world events. Common ways people mark the day include:
- Posting emojis on social media with the hashtag #WorldEmojiDay.
- Sharing favorite emojis and discussing their meanings.
- Releasing new emojis—tech companies often announce upcoming emoji sets on this day.
- Holding emoji-themed parties or trivia nights.
- Using emojis in marketing—brands create special emoji-based campaigns.
For example, in 2017, the Empire State Building in New York City was lit in emoji yellow to mark the day. Many museums and libraries have also hosted emoji-related exhibitions or workshops.
Common Misconceptions
One frequent misconception is that World Emoji Day is a United Nations holiday. It is not—it is an unofficial observance created by a private individual. Another myth is that the date changes each year; it is always July 17. Some people also believe that the calendar emoji shows the date of the first emoji’s creation, but that is not the case—it simply shows a date that was chosen during design. Finally, while some think World Emoji Day is only for social media, it actually has real-world events and educational components, such as discussions about emoji accessibility and representation.
How to Choose Emojis for the Day
If you want to participate, you might wonder which emojis to use. There is no official set, but you can follow these tips:
- Use the calendar emoji (📅) to show the date.
- Pick emojis that reflect your mood—happy, excited, or thoughtful.
- Include diverse emojis—skin tone modifiers and various flags are available.
- Combine emojis to tell a story—for example, ��📅.
- Check the meaning on a site like Emojipedia if you are unsure.
Remember, emojis can have different meanings across cultures, so be mindful of your audience.
Impact on Digital Culture
World Emoji Day has had a notable impact on how we communicate. It has helped normalize emojis as a legitimate form of expression, leading to their inclusion in professional settings. It also highlights the importance of Unicode Consortium, the body that approves new emojis. Each year, new emojis are proposed and reviewed, and World Emoji Day often serves as a platform to announce upcoming additions. For instance, in 2023, the Unicode Consortium announced the new emojis for 2024 on World Emoji Day, including a shaking face and a lime.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is World Emoji Day a public holiday?
No, it is not a public holiday. It is an unofficial observance, so businesses and schools remain open. It is simply a day for people to celebrate emojis voluntarily.
Who invented emojis?
Emojis were invented in 1999 by Shigetaka Kurita, a Japanese designer working for NTT DoCoMo. He created a set of 176 pixelated icons for the company’s mobile internet platform. However, the term “emoji” comes from Japanese: “e” (picture) and “moji” (character).
How many emojis are there?
The number changes each year as new emojis are approved. As of 2024, there are over 3,600 emojis in the Unicode Standard, covering a wide range of categories including smileys, animals, food, activities, travel, objects, symbols, and flags.
Can I propose a new emoji?
Yes, anyone can propose a new emoji to the Unicode Consortium. The process involves submitting a detailed proposal that explains the need for the emoji, its expected usage, and its distinctiveness. Proposals are reviewed twice a year, and if approved, the emoji is added to a future Unicode release.
Why is the calendar emoji on July 17?
For Apple, the date was originally set when the emoji was designed in 2002, and it has never been changed. For Google, it was the date of their 2008 emoji launch. The consistency across platforms made July 17 the natural choice for World Emoji Day.
Are emojis the same on all devices?
No, emojis are not identical across devices. Each platform (Apple, Google, Samsung, etc.) has its own design for each emoji, but they are all based on the same Unicode code points. This means the meaning is the same, but the appearance can vary. For example, the “grinning face” emoji looks different on an iPhone compared to an Android phone.
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