We are going to explore a new holiday for both of us. First celebrated in 2015. It’s in honor of something we have all seen, understood and used. Happy National Ampersand Day September 8th, 2025!
When I created this website, I needed to create an opening page. The sentence I crafted used the ampersand, without me even realizing its name. How often have we all used this symbol without a second thought?
it’s what?
The ampersand is a logogram. It’s a character that symbolizes words or phrases. Both hand writers and keyboarders use this symbol. Back in the mid-twentieth century, before personal computers, skilled secretaries in the business world would take dictation. Then they would prepare the final document on a typewriter. Most used Gregg shorthand, filled with logograms, but logograms were in use before that.
WHO CREATED THE FIRST AMPERSAND?
Marcus Tullius Tiro created this well-known logogram. Tiro was a slave but later was freed. He helped Cicero, the famous Roman lawyer, author, and orator. Tiro created the first Latin shorthand system. We do not know the exact year, but we know he died in 4 B.C. His shorthand system, a form of cursive writing, lasted over a thousand years.
Why that name?
At one time the English alphabets included symbols standing for whole words. The & was the 27th letter. When reciting the alphabet ‘per se’ preceded any letter that could stand for a word. Children would end their recitation of the alphabet by saying “x, y, z, and per se and”.
fun facts
An early version was in graffiti in Pompeii. That Roman city destroyed by the volcanic eruption in 79 A.D. and preserved it for centuries.
A fun fact is the ampersand symbol is common in people’s passwords today. It ranked in the top ten symbols in popularity coming in at number 9.
In 1953, Jan Tschichold authored a book about its evolution. Traced from its beginning to the 8th century and the appearance familiar to us today.
USED TODAY
Companies and brands use ampersands to create their names and logos today. Four that quickly came to my mind are AT&T, Barnes & Noble, Johnson & Johnson and M&M’s. This would be a fun way to celebrate this holiday with your friends. Share what you now know about this symbol. Then ask which brands come to mind that use an ampersand. Are their answers different from yours? This may spark an interesting conversation.
Closing thoughts
Just like the ampersand connects thoughts, it can help connect people too. Celebrate this holiday with a card or handwritten note to a friend or relative. The ampersand is useful too when trying to condense your message. Write a note and connect two ideas with this symbol that adds unity. If you want to keep it brief you can always end with Hugs & Kisses.
Thank you for joining me for another unusual holiday. Explore my Etsy shop or Facebook page by using the links below. Your ideas for celebrating this holiday or more examples of the ampersands use today are welcome, please share them in the comments.
Paper Crafted Bliss 