In 2011, Illien brought the idea and concept of creating a new global day of awareness, the International Day of Happiness, to senior United Nations Officials and successfully campaigned to unite a global coalition of all 193 United Nations member states, and secured the endorsement of then Secretary-General of the United Nations, Ban Ki moon, to support the concept of establishing a new official international UN calendar day of observance known as the International Day of Happiness.
Illien authored UN resolution 66/281 "International Day of Happiness", which was ultimately adopted by the unanimous consensus of all 193 UN member states of the United Nations General Assembly on June 28, 2012. Jayme Illien chose March 20 for its significance as the March equinox, a universal phenomenon felt simultaneously by all of humankind, and which occurs the moment when the plane of Earth's equator passes through the centre of the Sun's disk.
The first ever international day of happiness was celebrated on March 20, 2013.
Every March 20 since 2013, the International Day of Happiness is celebrated in 193 UN Member states, 2 observer states, and 11 territories.
