When writing about holidays, punctuation can often cause confusion, especially when it comes to possessive forms. One common question many people have is whether ‘Veterans Day’ should include an apostrophe or not. This question is important because the presence or absence of an apostrophe can change the meaning of a phrase and affect the correctness of the term. Veterans Day, a significant holiday in the United States dedicated to honoring military veterans, has a specific grammatical structure that can sometimes be misunderstood. Understanding whether Veterans Day has an apostrophe involves examining grammar rules, the history of the holiday, and official usage guidelines.
What Is Veterans Day?
Veterans Day is a federal holiday in the United States observed annually on November 11th. It honors military veterans who have served in the U.S. Armed Forces. The day is meant to recognize and celebrate the sacrifices and contributions of all veterans, living or deceased. Unlike Memorial Day, which specifically honors those who died in military service, Veterans Day pays tribute to all veterans.
The holiday has its origins in Armistice Day, which marked the end of World War I on November 11, 1918. In 1954, the U.S. Congress officially renamed Armistice Day to Veterans Day to honor all veterans.
Does Veterans Day Have an Apostrophe?
The short answer is: no, Veterans Day does not have an apostrophe. The holiday is correctly written as ‘Veterans Day,’ without any apostrophe between ‘Veterans’ and ‘Day.’
This might seem unusual because we often use apostrophes to show possession in English. So why isn’t there an apostrophe in Veterans Day? The explanation lies in understanding the type of noun phrase it represents and how it is used.
The Difference Between Possessive and Plural Nouns
An apostrophe usually indicates possession that something belongs to someone or something. For example:
- The veteran’s hat means the hat belongs to one veteran.
- The veterans’ hats means the hats belong to multiple veterans.
When it comes to Veterans Day, many people think it should be ‘Veteran’s Day’ or ‘Veterans’ Day’ because the day belongs to veterans. However, the official name is plural, not possessive. The word ‘Veterans’ here is simply plural, describing the type of people being honored on the day.
Why No Apostrophe? The Holiday Name Explained
According to the United States Department of Veterans Affairs and other official sources, the holiday is named ‘Veterans Day’ as a compound noun where Veterans functions as an attributive noun describing the type of day. Attributive nouns modify other nouns without using apostrophes, similar to phrases like Teachers College or Writers Conference.
Thus, ‘Veterans Day’ literally means a day for veterans, not a day belonging to veterans in the possessive sense. The absence of an apostrophe emphasizes that the day is a recognition of veterans collectively rather than possession by them.
Common Mistakes and Misconceptions
Despite official guidelines, many people mistakenly use an apostrophe with Veterans Day. Here are some common incorrect forms:
- Veteran’s Dayimplies the day belongs to one veteran, which is incorrect.
- Veterans’ Dayimplies the day belongs to multiple veterans, which may seem logical but is not the official or correct form.
Using an apostrophe in these ways can be seen in casual writing or informal communication, but for official, educational, or professional contexts, it is important to follow the correct form without the apostrophe.
Comparison with Other Holidays
Understanding the naming convention of Veterans Day can be easier by comparing it with other U.S. holidays that honor groups of people:
- Mother’s Dayhas an apostrophe because it is a day for mothers, and the possessive form is appropriate since it literally is Mother’s Day.
- Father’s Daysimilarly, the apostrophe shows possession.
- Labor Dayno apostrophe, as Labor functions as an attributive noun, describing the type of day.
Veterans Day is more like Labor Day in that Veterans is a plural noun acting adjectivally without possession, which explains the lack of apostrophe.
Official Guidelines and Style Manuals
Major style guides and government websites provide clear recommendations regarding the apostrophe in Veterans Day:
- The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs officially spells it as ‘Veterans Day,’ no apostrophe.
- The Associated Press Stylebook, a leading style guide used by many journalists, also confirms that Veterans Day should not have an apostrophe.
- The Chicago Manual of Style agrees that holidays named for people in the plural form typically do not use apostrophes.
These guidelines help ensure consistency across official documents, media reports, and educational materials.
Why Consistency Matters
Correctly writing Veterans Day without an apostrophe is important for several reasons:
- Respect and Honor: Using the proper name respects the significance of the holiday and the veterans it honors.
- Clarity: It avoids confusion over meaning that apostrophes can cause.
- Professionalism: Following official guidelines reflects well in formal writing and publications.
Summary and Final Thoughts
To summarize, Veterans Day does not have an apostrophe. The holiday’s name uses the plural form ‘Veterans’ as an attributive noun describing the kind of day it is a day dedicated to veterans. Adding an apostrophe would make the phrase possessive, which is not how the holiday is officially recognized or named. Understanding this subtle but important grammatical detail ensures correct usage in writing and honors the tradition behind the holiday.
Remembering the correct form, Veterans Day, helps maintain proper respect for the day and avoids common errors. Whether you are writing an essay, creating a social media post, or preparing official communications, keeping this in mind will ensure your message is clear and grammatically accurate.