Across the globe today, diverse cultural divides are being crossed by a simple concept: Go ahead! Smile!

Yesterday, the students of E.J. Blott Elementary School in Liberty, Ohio, took a break from the books to hit the football field in honor of the day, reports WKBN-TV News.

Kindergarten through 4th-grade students formed a giant smile on the football field at Liberty High School as part of “World Smile Day.”

Harvey Ball, an artist and creator of the “smiley face” declared the first Friday in October as “World Smile Day” back in 1999.

In this morning’s Pakistan Today, an editorial proposed that we all give a grin today:

With the looming threat of terrorism, coupled with inflation, unemployment, lack of resources (i.e. power, gas, water shortage), Pakistan is all set to observe World Smile Day along with the rest of the world.

This is not restricted to middle to lower classes or ill-educated people but has penetrated the upper, educated class as well.

“Smiling and being smiled at is a happy and pleasant experience. Moreover, when you get angry, you get wrinkles, and when you are smiling, you get a dimple without spending a single penny,” commented Dr Nadia who deals with patients suffering from mental disorders.

World Smile Day is celebrated annually on the first Friday in October. Harvey Ball, a commercial artist from Worcester, Mass., created the “Smiley Face” in 1963 and is credited with first proposing the day.

After his 2001 death, the “Harvey Ball World Smile Foundation” was established — dedicated to “improving this world, one smile at a time” and sponsored the annual event. The theme this year is “Do an act of kindness. Help one person smile.”

“Show off those pearly whites because today is World Smile Day,” advises Jennifer Lucarelli of Massachusetts’ Shrewsbury Patch. “Take some time today to make someone else feel good with just a smile. It’s free and easy to do.”

Excellent advice, indeed!