The International Day of Happiness is a day set aside by the United Nations to celebrate happiness and promote well-being worldwide. It is observed annually on March 20th and was first celebrated in 2013. The day aims to bring people together from all over the world to recognize that happiness is a fundamental human goal and that promoting well-being is essential to sustainable development.

The idea of the International Day of Happiness came from Bhutan, a small country in the Himalayas, which has adopted Gross National Happiness (GNH) as a measure of its development instead of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) used by most countries. The GNH approach focuses on ensuring that citizens are happy and that their needs are met in a sustainable way.

The theme of the International Day of Happiness changes each year, and it usually reflects a current global issue related to well-being or happiness. For example, in 2021, the theme was "Keep Calm. Stay Wise. Be Kind," which encouraged people to stay positive and connected during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The International Day of Happiness is celebrated in various ways, such as through events, social media campaigns, and community gatherings. The United Nations also releases the World Happiness Report on this day, which ranks countries based on their citizens' well-being and happiness levels.

Overall, the International Day of Happiness serves as a reminder that happiness and well-being are essential to human development, and that promoting these values is crucial for building a better world.