The Editor’s Manual
Free learning resource on English grammar, punctuation, usage, and style.
Capitalize names of holidays, such as “Christmas” and “Hanukkah.” Don’t capitalize adjectives like “happy” and “merry” or common nouns like the word “holidays,” unless at the start of a sentence.
Don’t capitalize phrases like “happy birthday” when talking about wishing someone. Feel free to capitalize them in personal greetings.
The greeting is “Happy New Year,” not “Happy New Years” or “Happy New Year’s.” It contains a singular noun (“year”) and requires no apostrophe.
Use an apostrophe after “s” in “Teachers’ Day.” The noun “teachers” is thought of as a plural possessive, indicated by an apostrophe after “s.”
“Indigenous Peoples’ Day” may be written with or without the apostrophe, depending on the style you follow.
There is no apostrophe in “Veterans Day.” The noun veterans is considered descriptive instead of possessive in the name of this holiday.
Both styles are correct: “Presidents’ Day” (possessive, with the apostrophe) and “Presidents Day” (descriptive, without the apostrophe).
Place an apostrophe before “s” in Mother’s Day and Father’s Day. Also capitalize the two words that make up the name of the holiday.
Use an apostrophe with possessive nouns (New Year’s Day, Mother’s Day, Presidents’ Day) but not with descriptive terms (Christmas Eve, Human Rights Day).