The International Day of Happiness is celebrated on March 20 every year since 2013. The day was founded and materialised by United Nations special advisor Jayme Illien to inspire and spread a global happiness movement. Illien introduced the concept to his seniors at UN who agreed to the idea. Thereafter, the day came into being with a global coalition of all 193 United Nations member states. The theme for International Day of Happiness 2019 is Happier Together. The day will also be promoted around the central theme – 'Share Happiness and be Part of Something Amazing'.

The first International Day of Happiness was celebrated on March 20, 2013. UN resolution 66/281 'International Day of Happiness' authored by Illien was adopted by the unanimous agreement of all 193 UN member states of the United Nations General Assembly on June 28, 2012. Illien chose March 30 as International Day of Happiness as March equinox or Northward equinox occurs on this day. On this day, the subsolar point appears to leave the Southern Hemisphere and cross the celestial equator, heading northward as seen from Earth. The universal phenomenon during which the plane of Earth's equator passes through the centre of the Sun's disk, is felt by all humans. Humans Convey Happiness in 17 Different Ways! Scientists Decode How Human Face Conveys Happiness.

The first ever international day of happiness was launched and celebrated with various international figures and popular celebrities from around the world. Some of them included launched with Ndaba Mandela, grandson of the late President of South Africa Nelson Mandela, former US President Bill Clinton's daughter Chelsea Clinton, US Presidential candidate Hillary Clinton during the TedXTeen conference in New York, New York. How To Be Happy: 4 Simple Steps To Happiness According to Neuroscience.

United Nations celebrates the International Day of Happiness as a way to recognise the importance of happiness in the lives of people. UN states, "In 2015, the UN launched the 17 Sustainable Development Goals that seek to end poverty, reduce inequality, and protect our planet – three key aspects that lead to well-being and happiness. Last year, the Smurfs rallied behind the 17 Sustainable Development Goals for the International Day of Happiness." Some of the popular hashtags used on this day include #tenbillionhappy, #internationaldayofhappiness, #happinessday, #choosehappiness, #createhappiness, or #makeithappy.

United Nations celebrates the International Day of Happiness as a way to recognise the importance of happiness in the lives of people.  Various events celebrating happiness will be held across nations on this day. World Happiness Summit will be observed on March 15-17 in Miami, United States. Other events will be celebrated in Paris and other world cities.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Mar 19, 2019 09:45 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).