International Day of Happiness

March 20, Wednesday

The International Day of Happiness is celebrated annually on March 20 and was established by the UN in 2012. This day is intended to emphasize the importance of happiness as one of the main goals and aspirations of humanity. The idea of the holiday is based on the fact that the pursuit of happiness is a universal value for all people, as well as an important factor in global development and the well-being of societies.

History of the holiday
The International Day of Happiness was proposed by Bhutan, a small kingdom in the Himalayas, which is known for its innovative approach to the concept of well-being. Unlike many countries where economic development is measured by GDP (gross domestic product), Bhutan uses the Gross National Happiness (GNH) index, which takes into account not only economic indicators, but also quality of life, environmental well-being and cultural values. In 2011, the UN recognized that the pursuit of happiness should be one of the priorities of human development, and in 2012 the General Assembly officially established March 20 as the International Day of Happiness.

Goals of the International Day of Happiness
Recognizing happiness as a global goal. This day is intended to remind us that the pursuit of happiness is an important element of social progress and global well-being, which is on par with economic development.

Strengthening human well-being. The Day of Happiness draws attention to the importance of caring for people's mental and physical health, since a healthy and happy person can make a greater contribution to the development of society.

Promoting sustainable development. Happiness is directly related to sustainable development and social justice. The holiday aims to draw attention to the problems of poverty, inequality, environmental protection and other factors affecting the level of happiness in the world.

Inspiring positive change. The International Day of Happiness calls on people and governments to take action to improve overall well-being through education, healthy lifestyles, equality and justice.

How the International Day of Happiness is celebrated
Events at the level of states and organizations. The UN and its agencies, as well as governments of many countries, hold forums, conferences and meetings to discuss topics related to well-being and happiness. Experts share research on how to improve people's quality of life.

Educational programs and seminars. Many educational institutions organize events aimed at raising awareness of the importance of mental health, stress, and positive thinking. Psychologists and specialists conduct trainings and lectures on emotional intelligence and ways to achieve happiness.

Campaigns and flash mobs. On this day, people around the world participate in positive campaigns, share good deeds, and organize events aimed at spreading joy and kindness. This is often accompanied by hashtags such as #InternationalDayOfHappiness and #HappinessDay on social media.

Happiness indices and studies. In honor of the International Day of Happiness, reports on the world level of happiness are published. The World Happiness Report, published annually by the UN, assesses the level of happiness in different countries of the world based on factors such as life expectancy, social support, level of corruption, and GDP per capita.

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International Day of Happiness in other years

2021 March 20, Saturday
2022 March 20, Sunday
2023 March 20, Monday
2025 March 20, Thursday

International Day of Happiness in other countries