In 1963, artist Harvey Ball drew a smiley face as an insurance company logo. By the 1970s, the happy yellow guy was popping up on buttons, bumper stickers, T shirts--everywhere!

Now he will be on a U.S. Postal Service stamp. Americans just chose the Smiley Face as the top symbol of the 1970s by voting on the Postal Service website or on ballots at post offices. The new stamps will be sold next year.

Other '70s subjects that will appear on stamps: Sesame Street, Earth Day and disco.

The Postal Service is asking Americans to pick the biggest events of each decade for its Celebrate the Century campaign, leading up to the year 2000. The first moonwalk was chosen for the 1960s, and drive-in movies for the 1950s.

Have a nice day!

Daily News from TIME for Kids

November 13, 1998 World Report