Observed every year on July 17, World Emoji Day celebrates the colourful world of digital expression that emojis bring to our messages, posts, and everyday conversations. World Emoji Day 2025 falls on Thursday. Marked by social media campaigns, emoji-themed events, brand promotions, and sometimes the unveiling of new emojis, World Emoji Day is a vibrant reminder of how these tiny pictographs have become cultural symbols in the digital age. Let us learn more about the event as we get ready to celebrate World Emoji Day 2025. It includes burning questions such as why July 17 was chosen as the date for World Emoji Day, World Emoji Day celebrations and activities, and the history and significance of the day. Seahorse Emoji Controversy: Was There Ever a Seahorse Emoji on iPhone and Android Mobiles? Mandela Effect and the Curious Case of ‘Missing Emojis’ Sparks Debate Online.

What is an Emoji?

An emoji is a small digital icon or image used to express an idea, emotion, object, or symbol in electronic communication. Originating from Japan in the late 1990s, emojis have become a universal language of the internet, helping users convey tone and emotion in messages where words alone may fall short. From smiley faces and hearts to food, animals, and flags, emojis add personality and context to text in a fun, visual way.

World Emoji Day 2025 Date

World Emoji Day is celebrated each year on July 17. The date was chosen because July 17 is the date displayed on many calendar emojis across devices, making it the perfect day to honour these symbols that have revolutionised online communication.

Why Was July 17 Chosen As the Date for World Emoji Day

First initiated in 2014 by Jeremy Burge, the founder of Emojipedia, the date was chosen because it’s the calendar emoji 📅 on Apple devices forever frozen on July 17. Since then, this quirky global observance has evolved into more than just a fun online trend; it’s a nod to how emojis have reshaped human communication, breaking barriers of language and emotion.

World Emoji Day History

The concept of World Emoji Day was established in 2014 by Jeremy Burge, the founder of Emojipedia. He selected July 17 because it is featured on the calendar emoji, notably on Apple devices. Emojis themselves trace their origins to Japan in the late 1990s, designed by Shigetaka Kurita for a Japanese mobile operator. Kurita's initial set of 176 emojis was intended to enhance text communication by visually expressing emotion and ideas. Emojis gained international popularity when they were adopted by major technology companies and later recognised by the Unicode Consortium, which standardises characters across digital platforms.

The first celebration of World Emoji Day in 2014 saw simple acknowledgements, but over the years, it has evolved into a global event marked by announcements from tech companies, special product launches, and creative emoji-inspired activities.

World Emoji Day Significance

Emojis have become a vital part of digital communication, breaking down language barriers and enabling people to express emotions, ideas, and nuances with pictographic simplicity. Their universality and expressiveness have made them an integral element in messaging platforms, emails, and social media. Psychologists and linguistics experts view emojis as a new visual language that enhances written communication by adding tone, emotion, and intent that words alone often lack.

The influence of emojis is so pervasive that in 2015, the Oxford Dictionary chose the "Face with Tears of Joy" 😂 emoji as its Word of the Year, reflecting their cultural and linguistic significance. Most Used Emoji of 2021: Tears of Joy Emerges As Most Popular Emoji of the Year.

World Emoji Day Celebrations and Activities

World Emoji Day is marked by a wide range of celebrations and activities worldwide:

  1. Emoji-Only Conversations: Many enthusiasts and social media users challenge themselves to communicate using only emojis.

  2. Sharing on Social Media: Platforms like Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok light up with posts under the hashtag #WorldEmojiDay.

  3. Product Launches & Announcements: Tech giants such as Apple and Google often use this day to unveil new emoji designs or announce updates.

  4. Creative Projects: Individuals and brands create custom emoji art, themed merchandise, and even hold events like emoji awards or exhibitions.

  5. Public Events: Past celebrations have featured events like the Empire State Building lighting up in “emoji yellow,” Guinness World Record attempts for the largest gathering of people dressed as emojis, and themed discussions at institutions like the British Library.

  6. Wearing Emoji Attire: Fans can be seen donning T-shirts and accessories featuring their favourite emojis.

World Emoji Day celebrates digital symbols and promotes creativity, inclusion, and connection across cultures and languages. Celebrating World Emoji Day each July 17 is a testament to how these small symbols have made a big impact in making global communication more expressive, fun, and universally understood.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jul 16, 2025 12:50 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).