World Laughter Day 2024: What makes you laugh?
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World Laughter Day is a day for people around the world to chuckle, chortle and guffaw.
Sounds like it could be fun, if a bit silly, but there is a serious reason behind it.
The celebration day was started in India in 1998 by Dr Madan Kataria who wanted to test the idea that laughter is good for people's health.
He encouraged people to join laughter groups where they meet up and laugh in public.
More than 12,000 people turned up to the first event, since then it has spread around the world.
When is World Laughter Day?
Although the first meeting was on 11 January it is now celebrated on the first Sunday of May because the organisers realised it might be a bit too cold to meet up outside in the winter.
This year World Laughter Day is being held on 5 May.
What is World Laughter Day for?
Dr Kataria told the BBC that the aim of the movement is "health, happiness and world peace through laughter".
He said: "Your body doesn't know the difference if you're acting happy, or you're really happy" so people should "fake it until you make it".
He found that people start fake laughing and often this would lead to real laughter.
Why do humans laugh?
No one is entirely sure why people laugh but all human cultures have laughter.
Babies can laugh before they can even speak and it's thought this might be to make their parent or caregiver feel closer to them.
Laughter has no language, you know Japanese, French, Italian, we all laugh in the same way. So this is a great way to bring everybody together without the bias of any language.
The BIG Question - Why do humans laugh?
How is the day celebrated?
Lots of people meet up in a big public space like at a famous landmark or central square.
They then all laugh together and have competitions to see who has the best, most natural laugh.
Sometimes the sessions include breathing techniques similar to those used in yoga.
There may also be a peace march, music and dancing.
What are the benefits of laughter?
Laughing together is one of the ways people bond with each other.
Sharing a joke can sometimes reduce tensions between people and stop them fighting but there are also physical changes that happen which can be good for you.
Lowers blood pressure
Reduces levels of stress hormones
Helps boost the immune system
We want to know what makes you laugh. Let us know in the comments below.
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