National Ampersand Day
September 8
About National Ampersand Day
National Ampersand Day takes place on Tuesday, 8 September 2026, celebrating the humble “&” symbol and its long history in writing, design and typography. Created in 2015 by typographer and designer Chaz DeSimone, the day invites word lovers, designers and the simply curious to appreciate one of the most elegant characters in the written language.
How to Celebrate National Ampersand Day
This is a day made for playfulness, so dive in with one or more of these ideas.
- Spot ampersands in the wild – Take a walk and photograph every “&” you can find, from shop signs and book covers to company logos like Marks & Spencer or Procter & Gamble. You will quickly notice how often it appears.
- Try drawing one by hand – The ampersand is famously tricky to draw well. Practise a few versions, from the looping calligraphic style to the simple “et” form, and see which suits your handwriting.
- Compare it across fonts – Open a word processor and type “&” in different typefaces. The ampersand is often the most expressive glyph a designer creates, so the variety can be surprising.
- Use it creatively in your writing – Swap “and” for “&” in your notes, social posts or doodles for the day. It is a small change that puts the symbol centre stage.
- Make ampersand art – Inspired by DeSimone’s own AmperArt project, turn the symbol into a poster, sketch or piece of digital design. Bold colours and oversized glyphs work beautifully.
- Teach someone the origin story – Share the tale of how “and per se and” became “ampersand” with a friend or colleague. It is a brilliant piece of trivia.
- Buy from an “& brand” – Support a business whose name features an ampersand, from a local cafe to a design studio. It is a light-hearted way to mark the occasion.
- Get crafty with the kids – Cut ampersands from coloured paper, decorate them and stick them around the house. It is an easy way to introduce younger children to letters and symbols.
What is National Ampersand Day?
National Ampersand Day is an annual celebration of the ampersand, the “&” character that stands in for the word “and”. It honours both the symbol’s practical usefulness and its status as a small work of art in its own right. The day appeals to designers, typographers, writers, teachers and anyone with a fondness for the quirks of language. There are no formal rules, just an invitation to notice, use and enjoy a character most of us take for granted.
When is National Ampersand Day?
National Ampersand Day falls on 8 September every year, which in 2026 is a Tuesday. The date is fixed and was chosen for a clever reason: DeSimone realised that, in certain fonts, a string of ampersands can be arranged to resemble the date “September 8”. The symbol effectively spells out its own birthday.
The History of National Ampersand Day
National Ampersand Day was founded in 2015 by Chaz DeSimone, an American author, designer and typographer. DeSimone runs AmperArt, a project that treats the ampersand as an art form, producing a series of striking designs built around the symbol. He created the day to give the character a moment in the spotlight and to share his enthusiasm for its visual beauty with a wider audience.
The ampersand itself is far older than its dedicated day. Its origins trace back to Roman times. Marcus Tullius Tiro, a former slave and secretary to the orator Cicero, developed a system of shorthand in the first century BC, and a ligature joining the letters of the Latin word “et”, meaning “and”, emerged within it. One of the oldest surviving examples of this joined “et” appears in graffiti preserved at Pompeii.
The name came much later. In nineteenth-century Britain, the symbol was taught as the final character after Z, and schoolchildren reciting the alphabet would end with “and per se and”, meaning “and, in itself, and”. Over time that phrase slurred together into a single word, giving us “ampersand” by around 1837. If you enjoy days that celebrate the building blocks of language, you might also like National Donald Duck Day, another light-hearted date with an unexpected backstory.
Fun Facts About National Ampersand Day
- The word “ampersand” entered common use around 1837, derived from the phrase “and per se and”.
- The symbol began as a ligature of the Latin “et”, and in many typefaces you can still see the “e” and “t” hidden within its curves.
- One of the earliest known ampersands survives in first-century graffiti at Pompeii.
- The ampersand was once treated as the 27th letter of the English alphabet, recited immediately after Z.
- The Tironian “et”, a related shorthand symbol for “and”, still appears on road signs in Ireland today.
- Typographers often consider the ampersand the most creative and expressive glyph in a font, which is why it varies so dramatically between typefaces.
Why National Ampersand Day Matters
Beyond the fun, the day is a reminder of how much history and craft sit behind the characters we use without a second thought. It celebrates typography and design, supports the creative people who shape the letters we read every day, and encourages a closer, more appreciative look at written language. For a symbol that has survived nearly two thousand years, a day of recognition feels well earned.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is National Ampersand Day?
It is an annual celebration of the “&” symbol, honouring its history, beauty and usefulness. The day encourages people to notice, draw, design and enjoy the ampersand in all its forms.
When is National Ampersand Day in 2026?
National Ampersand Day is on Tuesday, 8 September 2026. It is observed on the same date every year.
Why is it held on 8 September?
Founder Chaz DeSimone chose the date because, in some fonts, a sequence of ampersands can be arranged to look like “September 8”, meaning the symbol can effectively spell out its own anniversary.
Spread the Word
Join the celebration and share your best ampersand designs, photos and doodles on social media with #NationalAmpersandDay and #AmpersandDay2026. Tag your friends and challenge them to find the most beautiful “&” they can.
Related Awareness Days
- National Donald Duck Day – A quirky celebration with its own surprising history, perfect for fans of light-hearted commemorative days.
- National Pets in Film Day – Another fun, creative day that celebrates a corner of popular culture.
- National Rat Catcher’s Day – An unusual day rooted in folklore and tradition, ideal for lovers of the offbeat.
Links
- Visit the AmperArt project, home of National Ampersand Day
- Explore more awareness days at AwarenessDays.com
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