On September 19, the world celebrates the birthday of the smiley.
Birthday smiley
This day is dedicated to one of the most famous symbols of modern communication that connects people all over the world. Just one character and you’ve already expressed an emotion, conveyed a mood, or simply added a little warmth to an email or message. But how did this little yellow smile that won the hearts of millions come about?
The history of the emoticon begins in 1963, when the American graphic designer Harvey Ball came up with the first yellow emoticon with a smiley face for an insurance company. His task was to create a symbol that would lift the spirits of the company’s employees. Ball created this masterpiece in just ten minutes and received a modest fee of $45 for it. No one could have imagined then that this image would become a worldwide symbol of positivity.
The real boom for emoticons came in 1982, when Carnegie Mellon University professor Scott Fahlman suggested using the sequence of symbols “:)” to indicate jokes in text messages. Since then, emoticons have become an integral part of digital communication.
Interesting facts
According to statistics, more than 5 billion emoticons are used in text messages every day in the world. They have become an international language of emotions that is understood regardless of culture or language.
Japanese artist Shigetaka Kurita created the first set of emojis in 1999, which included 176 characters. Today, there are more than 3,600 of them, and they cover almost every possible emotion, object, and situation.
In Sweden, there is the world’s first museum dedicated to emoticons. It is located in Stockholm and has an exhibition of over 4,000 different symbols showing the evolution of emoticons from the 1960s to today.
In 2015, the US Supreme Court allowed emoticons to be used as evidence in court cases. This emphasizes the importance of these symbols in modern communication.
It is a known fact that Apple has included emoticons representing people with various physical disabilities in its emoji set. This is a step towards making every person feel represented in the digital space.
Smileys and emojis have become so popular that even politicians use them in their official messages and campaigns. For example, Barack Obama used emojis during his presidential campaign to attract young voters.
In 2015, “face with tears of joy” was recognized as the word of the year by the Oxford Dictionary, confirming the importance of these symbols in modern culture.
Emoticons have become so popular because they help to quickly convey emotions, avoid misunderstandings and add a personal element to text communication. In a world where communication is increasingly virtual, these small symbols play a big role in bringing people together.
Notable events on September 19
2015 year – one of the world’s largest automobile concerns, Volkswagen AG, found itself at the center of a high-profile scandal when fraud with data on emissions of harmful substances was exposed. It turned out that the company deliberately underestimated the emissions of turbodiesel engines, using special software that allowed to bypass environmental tests. The scandal, known as “Dieselgate,” sparked massive scrutiny of other automakers and drew attention to the auto industry’s environmental responsibility.
2006 – a military coup took place in Thailand that led to the overthrow of Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra. The military occupied government buildings and imposed a curfew, beginning a period of political instability in the country. The event attracted the attention of the international community and raised concerns about democratic processes in the region.
1983 – the small island state of St. Kitts and Nevis gained full independence from Great Britain. This event allowed the country to become the youngest state in the Western Hemisphere at the time, as well as a member of the United Nations and other international organizations.
1945 – after the end of World War II, Kim Il Sung returned to North Korea from the Soviet camp where he was held during the war. His return marked the beginning of his rise to power, which culminated in the establishment of a totalitarian regime in the country. Kim Il Sung became the founder of the Kim dynasty, which still rules North Korea.
1941 – during the Second World War, German troops occupied Kyiv after the retreat of the Soviet units. Despite the fact that the city was under occupation, the surrounded Soviet troops continued to resist for another week. As a result of the hostilities, 665,000 soldiers were captured by the Germans.
1891 – the first Ukrainian immigrants who were looking for a better life in new lands arrived in Canada. They laid the foundations of a large Ukrainian diaspora in North America, which later made a significant contribution to the development of the country and the preservation of Ukrainian culture abroad.
1888 – the first ever beauty contest was held in the resort town of Spa in Belgium. The victory was won by an 18-year-old girl from Guadeloupe, Berta Sucare, which marked the beginning of a new era in culture, when external beauty began to play an important role in society.
1864 – the invention of folding seats in cars was patented in the USA, which became an important step in the development of the automotive industry. This invention significantly increased the comfort and safety of passengers during travel.
1841 – in Europe, the first international railway was opened, connecting French Strasbourg and Swiss Basel. This event became an important milestone in the development of transport and trade, significantly reducing travel time between countries.
1783 – the Montgolfier brothers made the first flight in a hot air balloon, raising animals into the sky – a sheep, a rooster and a duck. This was the beginning of a new era in the history of aviation, which later led to the development of aeronautics and aviation in general.
1777 – At the Battle of Saratoga, American forces won an important victory over the British army, which was a turning point in the American Revolutionary War. This victory provided the Americans with the support of France and became a prerequisite for gaining independence.
1673 – a large-scale peasant uprising began in Slobozhanshchyna, which was a response to the plight and oppression of the peasantry. This uprising became part of the struggle of Ukrainians for their rights and independence in the conditions of that time.
1654 year – the first marriage in Canada was registered in Quebec. 11-year-old Marguerite Cedillo married Jean Aubchaud, marking the beginning of the official registration of marriages in this part of North America.
1478 year – Leonardo da Vinci completed work on his famous painting “Mona Lisa”, which today is one of the most recognizable works of art in the world.
1356 year – during the Hundred Years’ War, the Battle of Poitiers took place, where the English army under the leadership of Prince Edward defeated the French army, capturing King John II the Good. This defeat became one of the key points in the long-lasting conflict between England and France.
