World Smile Day is held on the first Friday of October each year. The slogan for the day is “Do an act of kindness. Help one person smile!” The Worcester Historical Museum plays a key role in educating people about Worcester's connection to the smiley face.

Psychologist and author Dr. Harry Cohen says you have to be intentional with your happiness.

Worcester will be a happy place Friday. Well, some would say it's a happy place every day. But this time it's different: It's World Smile Day, a designation with joyful roots in the city. In 1999, Worcester artist Harvey Ball,

The whole world will be smiling with you for World Smile Day on Friday. Worcester native and freelance artist Harvey Ball, inventor of the iconic smiley face, created World Smile Day in 1999 to encourage people to devote one day to smiles and kind acts.