World Emoji Day
The tiny pictures that speak across every language barrier on Earth. 😊
About
World Emoji Day on July 17 celebrates emojis — the small digital icons that have become a universal visual language of the internet age. The date was chosen because the calendar emoji on Apple devices displays July 17 (the date of the original MobileMe launch in 2002). Emojis originate from Japan, where Shigetaka Kurita designed the first set of 176 pictograms for NTT Docomo in 1999. Today there are over 3,600 official Unicode emojis used by billions daily.
History
Jeremy Burge, founder of Emojipedia, established World Emoji Day in 2014. The day has since been embraced by Apple, Google, Twitter, and other technology companies who often release new emoji announcements or surveys. The Museum of Modern Art in New York acquired the original 176 NTT Docomo emoji as a design artefact in 2016, recognising their cultural significance.
Where It's Observed
Cultural Context
US United States
Tech companies headquartered in the US dominate emoji development through Unicode Consortium, and major announcements of new emojis occur around World Emoji Day. American emoji usage trends drive global conversations about representation and inclusion.
KR South Korea
South Korea contributes unique emoji culture through KakaoTalk's Kakao Friends stickers — custom animated characters that define Korean digital communication. Koreans use emojis and stickers at extremely high rates in messaging, and the day is widely celebrated on social media.
JP Japan
Emojis were invented in Japan, making World Emoji Day a genuine point of national pride. The distinctive Japanese set (💮, ⛩️, 🎎) reflects cultural specifics, and Japanese social media users are sophisticated emoji communicators. Shigetaka Kurita is celebrated as a design pioneer.
How to Participate
- 01Send a message using only emojis and see if the recipient understands
- 02Learn the origin story of five emojis you use regularly
- 03Suggest a new emoji to the Unicode Consortium through their public proposals
- 04Create an emoji art piece telling a story
Frequently asked questions
When is World Emoji Day?+
World Emoji Day is observed annually on July 17. The date is fixed each year — July 17 — and does not shift based on the lunar calendar or weekday.
What is World Emoji Day?+
World Emoji Day on July 17 celebrates emojis — the small digital icons that have become a universal visual language of the internet age. The date was chosen because the calendar emoji on Apple devices displays July 17 (the date of the original MobileMe launch in 2002). Emojis originate from Japan, w…
Is World Emoji Day a public holiday?+
World Emoji Day is an international observance or awareness day, not a public holiday in most countries. It does not typically result in days off work or school closures, though some countries and organisations hold official events.
How can I participate in World Emoji Day?+
Send a message using only emojis and see if the recipient understands Learn the origin story of five emojis you use regularly Suggest a new emoji to the Unicode Consortium through their public proposals These are some of the most accessible ways to engage with the day's purpose.
Which countries observe World Emoji Day?+
Global — internet-connected users worldwide.
Mark the date
Download a free printable calendar for 2026 and never miss World Emoji Day.