National Ampersand Day

National Ampersand Day, observed on September 8, celebrates the stylish and useful symbol “&.” More than a shortcut for the word “and,” the ampersand has a rich history rooted in handwritten forms of the Latin word *et*, meaning “and.” Over time, it evolved into the distinctive character we recognize today.

This observance invites everyone to appreciate the ampersand’s role in language, typography, branding, and design. From elegant invitations to business names and creative artwork, the symbol adds personality while connecting ideas, people, and possibilities. On September 8, take a moment to notice the ampersands around you—or use one to bring a little extra flair to your own writing.

National Ampersand Day is observed on September 8 to recognize the ampersand (&), one of the most familiar symbols in written English. The observance places attention on a mark that is often used casually in business names, titles, logos, and informal writing, even though it has a long history rooted in the development of written language.

The ampersand began as a joined form of the Latin word *et*, meaning “and.” Over centuries of handwriting and manuscript copying, the letters were written together in increasingly stylized ways until the combined character developed into the form now recognized as “&.” Its history is therefore connected to both shorthand and typographic design: a practical abbreviation gradually became a distinct symbol with its own visual identity.

For a time, the ampersand was treated as the final character in some versions of the English alphabet. Students reciting the alphabet could say “and per se and”—meaning “and, by itself, and”—after the letter Z. This phrase was eventually pronounced as the single word “ampersand.” Although the symbol is no longer normally taught as part of the alphabet, the word created from that recitation remains its standard name.

Over time, the ampersand has moved between formal and informal uses. It is generally avoided in ordinary prose when “and” is preferred, but it remains common in company names, partnerships, publishing, design, advertising, and typography. National Ampersand Day, observed on September 8, celebrates this combination of linguistic history and visual expression, encouraging appreciation for a compact mark that represents connection, collaboration, and the joining of ideas.