On January 8, in 1981, they first started celebrating the fun holiday Contagious Laughter Day. A woman named Joan White, who started it, wanted to make the world a happier place through smiles and laughter. The choice of date for the celebration of the Day of Contagious Laughter is symbolic, because it is in the first half of January, after the New Year, that people are used to organizing festivities.

Contagious Laughter Day is an unofficial holiday event celebrated by people in Ukraine and European countries. At the level of the International Day of Laughter, on this day people traditionally joke with each other and arrange fun games. It is important to maintain a friendly and cheerful atmosphere and in no case offend friends with jokes. Contagious Laughter Day is aimed at laughter and positive emotions. Although the holiday is not as popular as its April Fools counterpart, the idea itself is extremely fun.