Every July 17, the internet gets a little brighter, ‘Cause it’s World Emoji Day; if you ever wondered how this day even started. Here are seven facts to get you up to speed on how this day began.
1.It Didn’t start with the emojis we know today.
The day dates back to 2002, when Apple introduced its iCal calendar app. They set the app icon to show the date July 17th, after the release date, to make it feel more real.
2. July 17 Was Handed Down to the Emoji.
When Apple later built its emoji keyboard, the calendar emoji needed a date to show. So designers just reused the same iCal icon. It became a hidden detail that most people missed.
3. The Emojipedia Was Born
In 2013, Jeremy Burge noticed that when Apple added emojis, they wouldn’t state what the emojis were, so he created a reference site where you could find what every emoji means, ways it can be used, and the design variations across all platforms. In 2015, they started their Adopt-an-Emoji program as a way to remove the display ads, but it was removed a year later due to confusion. Ownership changed in 2021 to the company Zedge.
4. How the Holiday Truly Started
As Jeremy Burgs was working on his site, he noticed July 17 on the calendar and thought it deserved its own celebration. So he declared that every July 17th will be known as World Emoji Day.
5. Big Brands Treat It Like Their Own Launch Day
Apple and Google now use World Emoji Day to showcase their new emojis being added before they debut on the phones. Other companies have joined in on the celebration. Pepsi once ran an emoji-based campaign. Then, in 2018 Kim Kardashian launched an emoji-themed fragrance line.
6. There Are Emoji Awards
Emojipedia runs the World Emoji Awards each year, letting people vote on categories like Most Popular New Emoji, Most Anticipated New Emoji, and Lifetime Achievement Award, which honors iconic emojis that stand the test of time. Think of it as the Oscars, but for tiny yellow faces.
7. Not Every Calendar Emoji Shows July 17
Apple, Samsung, Google, and a few others do use July 17th. But some companies do their own thing; WhatsApp uses the founding date on their calendar emoji (February 24). Facebook uses Mark Zuckerberg”s birthday (May 14) for their calendar emoji.
World Emoji Day reminds us that even the smallest details can turn into something much bigger. It’s amazing how a tiny design choice became a global tradition that brings people together every July 17th. Happy World Emoji Day
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