Today, July 17th, marks World Emoji Day, a global celebration of those tiny, expressive characters that have become an integral part of our digital communication. But why this particular date?

The answer lies in the calendar emoji itself (📅). If you look closely, you’ll notice it displays July 17th. This is a nod to the launch date of Apple’s iCal calendar application in 2002.

World Emoji Day was first established in 2014 by Jeremy Burge, the founder of Emojipedia, a comprehensive online resource for all things emoji. Since then, it has grown into a worldwide phenomenon, with individuals and brands alike participating in the festivities.

Happy World Emoji Day: 10 Facts to Celebrate This July 17th

This July 17, it’s a great opportunity to look at how these colorful, creative characters have reshaped our digital communications. From tiny yellow faces to an ever-growing array of symbols depicting everything from food to flags, emojis are more than just fun—they’re a linguistic phenomenon.

ALSO READ. Which day is National Hot Dog Day 2024 and why is it celebrated?

Here are 10 fascinating facts about emojis, as revealed by Adobe’s 2022 U.S. Emoji Trend Report:

1. Express Yourself: An overwhelming 91% of emoji users in the U.S. believe that emojis make it easier to express themselves and lighten up conversations, adding a layer of emotional nuance that words alone might miss.
2. Mental Health Boost: Surprisingly, 60% of respondents say using emojis has benefited their mental health, making digital communication less daunting and more enjoyable.
3. Breaking Language Barriers: Emojis transcend language differences, with 92% of users agreeing that these pictographs help communicate across language barriers, fostering global connections.
4. A Call for Inclusivity: There is a growing demand for more inclusive emojis. About 83% of users feel that emoji selections should continue to expand to better represent diverse identities, and 41% don’t feel fully represented by the current options.
5. Misunderstandings Happen: Emojis aren’t always straightforward—some of the most misunderstood include the cowboy hat face and the cherry, highlighting the cultural nuances in emoji interpretation.
6. Emojis at Work: Far from being just playful additions, 71% of users incorporate emojis into their workplace communication, noting improvements in efficiency and workplace relationships.
7. The Future of Emoji: Users are enthusiastic about the evolving role of emojis, with many open to using emojis in innovative ways, such as making purchases or confirming event attendance.
8. Generational Favorites: Different generations have their favorites, with the face with tears of joy and thumbs up leading the charts in the U.S., while the pile of poo emoji ranks as the least favorite.
9. Contextual Mishaps: Nearly half of the users have experienced situations where emojis were misinterpreted, a reminder of the importance of understanding the context and cultural connotations.
10. Prospective Emoji Uses: Looking ahead, users are excited about the potential for emojis to become even more integrated into daily life, with ideas ranging from digital transactions to more personalized communication tools.

Emojis continue to evolve, reflecting changes in society, technology, and communication. As we celebrate World Emoji Day, let’s appreciate these small symbols for the big impact they have on our ability to connect, communicate, and comprehend each other in the digital age.