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3 October: what is celebrated today
The calendar reminds us that not everything is solemn commemorations: there are also days inviting us to smile and remember ideals of courage and brotherhood. The first Friday in October and 3 October offer precisely that: a mixture of shared joy and historical tribute.
World Smile Day
In 1999, Harvey Ball — creator of the famous smiley face (Smiley Face) — decided that a day devoted exclusively to spreading joy was needed. That is how World Smile Day was born, celebrated on the first Friday in October.
Although Harvey died in 2001, his legacy continues thanks to the Harvey Ball World Smile Foundation, which organises charitable activities across the planet to show that a simple gesture can transform lives.
The hidden powers of a smile
Smiling is not merely a pleasant gesture: it is a genuine “natural medicine”. When we do it, our brains release endorphins and serotonin, hormones that reduce stress, improve mood and make us feel lighter. What is more, a smile connects people, opens doors in professional life, strengthens self-esteem and has an irresistible effect: it is contagious.
International Musketeer Day
On 3 October, tribute is paid to a historical figure that has transcended literature: the musketeer. This corps of French soldiers was founded in 1622 by King Louis XIII and achieved literary immortality thanks to Alexandre Dumas and his celebrated work The Three Musketeers.
Their motto, “One for all and all for one”, became a universal symbol of loyalty and camaraderie.
Who were the musketeers?
Originally, they were infantry soldiers armed with muskets, who later became part of the king’s personal guard. Under the reigns of Louis XIII and Louis XIV, they became one of the most prestigious companies of the Ancien Régime, reserved for the nobility. Although they were definitively disbanded in 1816, their spirit lives on in popular culture, associated with honour, friendship and bravery.