International Day of Happiness: World, Pharrell Williams get happy

Pharrell Williams, performing along with his hat at the 2014 Oscars, has joined with the U.N. to promote the International Day of Happiness.

By Amy Hubbard

March 20, 2014 1:31 PM PT

There’s one day devoted to happiness around the world, and this is it. The United Nations established March 20 as International Day of Happiness in June 2012.

Odds are, at that time, many in the General Assembly were not familiar with Pharrell Williams -- or his hat.

But Williams, whose song “Happy” has people clapping worldwide, has joined with the U.N. Foundation to promote 24HoursOfHappiness.com, with the goal of raising donations for the U.N.’s Central Emergency Response Fund.

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That’s admirable. But here’s the fun part. He asked fans to submit videos via YouTube and Instagram of themselves dancing to “Happy,” using the hashtag #HAPPYDAY. Submissions handpicked by Pharrell are being spotlighted at the 24 Hours of Happiness website at noon in each time zone. Here’s “Supercut,” below (or here’s a version for mobile users).

In establishing a day to recognize happiness, the U.N. said happiness and well-being were “universal goals and aspirations in the lives of human beings around the world.” Secretary General Ban Ki-moon calls the desire for happiness “a deep-seated yearning shared by all members of the human family.”

So where are the happiest places on Earth? Denmark, Norway, Switzerland, the Netherlands and Sweden, according to one report. But, as the L.A. Times’ Deborah Netburn reported, the entire world is slightly happier than it used to be.

To end on a happy note, check out the Pentatonix a cappella version of the Pharrell hit.