National Punctuation Day

Disha Bhattacharyya
Dec 22, 2023 By Disha Bhattacharyya
Originally Published on Apr 26, 2022
Fact-checked by Sonali Rawat
Learn everything about National Punctuation Day in this article.

Where is National Punctuation Day celebrated?

From the commonly used comma to the mysterious ellipsis, punctuation marks make the English language comprehensible to drive across our point. National Punctuation Day is celebrated in the USA on September 24 to acknowledge the importance of correct usage of punctuation.

Who is National Punctuation Day celebrated by?

Correct usage of punctuation is essential for writing English. Punctuation errors can completely alter the meaning of a sentence. Hence, students, working professionals, writers, and other American citizens should celebrate this very important holiday.

When did National Punctuation Day first start?

National Punctuation Day was first observed in 2004 to promote the importance of correct punctuation and make people aware of the punctuation rules.

Who started National Punctuation Day?

Jeff Rubin founded National Punctuation Day in 2004 to acknowledge the importance of proper punctuation. Since then, it has become an important holiday, and schools across the country celebrate this day.

History And Timeline

'Let us eat, mother' or 'Let us eat mother,' punctuation can make or break a sentence. Let us read more about the history and origin of the punctuation mark and National Punctuation Day.

First Usage Of Punctuation

The first usage of punctuation was seen in the Mesha Stele document from 900 BC. Before this time, languages were mostly verbal and didn't require punctuation like commas and semicolons to convey meaning.

900 BC

Proper Punctuation Use

The Greeks were the first to adopt Aristophanes' punctuation system in 200 BC. Aristophanes was a librarian in Alexandria, Egypt. His system consisted of a single dot to mark pauses in speeches.

200 BC

The Bible Punctuation

Punctuation and the need to punctuate sentences spread to every civilization after printing the Bible for the masses. In 400 AD, the Bible was printed, and the need to pause and emphasize while reading it to people arose.

400 AD

Computer Language

As computers and online chat became more popular, there was a shift in punctuation usage. Symbols like '@' and '#' became essential punctuation, and new colloquial rules were established.

1970

Founding National Punctuation Day

Jeff Rubin founded National Punctuation Day to make people aware of the need for correct punctuation usage so that there are fewer mistakes made while writing English.

2010

Traditions And Customs

National Punctuation Day is a fun holiday. Every year, founder Jeff Rubin celebrates this day by posting various punctuation challenges on his website.

Several schools and colleges observe this day with quizzes, treasure hunts, and essay writing competitions. People also brush up on their punctuation skills by reading the rules to correct their mistakes. You can participate in these activities and have an engaging, fun-filled day!

Ways To Observe Or Celebrate National Punctuation Day

The National Punctuation Day celebration is fun, and you should be creative while celebrating this day. You can take some time to brush up on your punctuation skills.

This could mean reading a style guide, taking a grammar class, or doing some online research. Indulge in fun activities like sending someone a text message using only punctuation marks or hosting a punctuation scavenger hunt around your house or neighborhood.

You can also write an essay using as many punctuation marks as possible. This will correct your punctuation mistakes and make you a pro at English!

Facts And Stats

The National Punctuation Day celebration was broadcast on television on September 24, 2008, on CBS Live.

Various writers post guest blogs on punctuation in eminent newspapers on this day.

Famous radio shows like the Amy Oliver Show and the Patt Morrison Show have covered the events of this day in the past.

What day is National Punctuation Day?

National Punctuation Day is celebrated on September 24 each year in the USA.

How do you celebrate National Punctuation Day?

You can celebrate National Punctuation Day by correcting your own or others' punctuation errors. You can also read, write an essay, or take part in punctuation quizzes held across the country on this day.

How many punctuation marks are there in the English language?

14 punctuation marks are commonly used in the English language. These are the period, question mark, exclamation point, comma, semicolon, colon, dash, hyphen, parentheses, brackets, braces, apostrophe, quotation marks, and ellipsis.

What is the significance of National Punctuation Day?

This day honors the importance of punctuation in sentences that form the basis of grammar. Important punctuation includes the comma, semicolon, question mark, and exclamation mark.

How is National Punctuation Day different from English Language Day?

Punctuations are the symbols used in the English language to define the proper emotions in sentences. Mistakes in punctuation can change the meaning and grammar of a piece of writing. The National Punctuation Day celebration is dedicated to these important facets of English. English Language Day celebrates the English language as a whole.

What is the history and origin of National Punctuation Day?

Jeff Rubin founded the day in 2004 to celebrate the punctuation mark, which drives ideas in written English.

What is special about National Punctuation Day?

Punctuation is needed to write English. Without them, the meaning of sentences will be lost. National Punctuation Day celebrates proper punctuation and is a very special holiday for everyone.

When Is This Day Celebrated

  • Thursday, September 24, 2020
  • Friday, September 24, 2021
  • Saturday, September 24, 2022
  • Sunday, September 24, 2023
  • Tuesday, September 24, 2024

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Sources

https://nationaldaycalendar.com/punctuation-day-link-september-24/

https://nationaltoday.com/national-punctuation-day

https://www.bbc.com/culture/article/20150902-the-mysterious-origins-of-punctuation

https://www.nationalpunctuationday.com/

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Written by Disha Bhattacharyya

Bachelor of Pharmacy

Disha Bhattacharyya picture

Disha BhattacharyyaBachelor of Pharmacy

She holds a Bachelor's degree in Pharmacy from West Bengal University of Technology and a medical-writing accreditation from Stanford University. Disha is an experienced SEO writer with a passion for writing about science and psychology. Her prior work experience as a content writer has equipped her with the necessary skills to write engaging and informative content. Disha is known for her versatility and thorough research skills. In her free time, she enjoys traveling, dancing, and writing mental health journals on her blog.

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Fact-checked by Sonali Rawat

Bachelor of Arts specializing in English Literature, Masters of Art specializing in English and Communication Skills

Sonali Rawat picture

Sonali RawatBachelor of Arts specializing in English Literature, Masters of Art specializing in English and Communication Skills

Sonali has a Bachelor's degree in English literature from Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University and is currently pursuing a Master's in English and Communication from Christ University. With considerable experience in writing about lifestyle topics, including travel and health, she has a passion for Japanese culture, especially fashion, and anime, and has written on the subject before. Sonali has event managed a creative-writing festival and coordinated a student magazine at her university. Her favorite authors are Toni Morrison and Anita Desai.

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