National Day
World Emoji Day
Celebrated on 07/17/2026
Quick Fact
World Emoji Day is celebrated on July 17, the date displayed on the calendar emoji (📅). The first emoji set was created in 1999 by Japanese artist Shigetaka Kurita for NTT DoCoMo's mobile internet platform.
Origins and Establishment of World Emoji Day
World Emoji Day was first celebrated in 2014, created by Jeremy Burge, the founder of Emojipedia, the emoji reference website. The date July 17 was chosen because it is the date shown on the Apple Calendar emoji (📅). The day aims to celebrate the global use of emojis and their impact on digital communication.
Evolution and Modern Commemoration
Since its inception, World Emoji Day has grown in popularity, with brands, companies, and individuals participating through social media campaigns, special emoji releases, and events. Apple, Google, and other tech companies often announce new emoji designs or updates on this day. The Unicode Consortium, which standardizes emojis, also uses the day to preview upcoming emoji releases. Celebrations include sharing favorite emojis, creating emoji art, and discussing the cultural significance of emojis.
Facts & General Observations
- Over 3,600 emojis are currently in the Unicode Standard as of 2024, with new ones added annually.
- The most used emoji worldwide is 😂 (Face with Tears of Joy), according to Unicode data.
- Emojis are used by 92% of the online population, with over 10 billion emojis sent daily.