MOS:DATEUNIFY

MOS:DATEUNIFY

The "MOS:DATEUNIFY" guideline is a part of the Wikipedia Manual of Style (MOS), which provides a set of standards for writing and editing articles on Wikipedia. This specific guideline addresses the uniformity of date formats within Wikipedia articles to ensure consistency and clarity for readers.

Overview

The MOS:DATEUNIFY guideline emphasizes the importance of using consistent date formats within a single article. This is crucial because Wikipedia is a global platform, and date formats can vary significantly between different regions and cultures. By adhering to a unified date format, Wikipedia aims to avoid confusion and maintain a professional and accessible standard across its articles.

Date Formats

Wikipedia recognizes several date formats, but the most commonly used are:

• Day-Month-Year (DMY): This format is prevalent in many parts of the world, including the United Kingdom and most of Europe. An example of this format is "25 December 2023."
• Month-Day-Year (MDY): This format is primarily used in the United States. An example of this format is "December 25, 2023."
• Year-Month-Day (YMD): This format is often used in technical contexts and is the international standard (ISO 8601). An example of this format is "2023-12-25."

Guidelines for Date Format Usage

The MOS:DATEUNIFY guideline provides specific instructions on how to choose and apply date formats within Wikipedia articles:

1. Consistency Within Articles: Once a date format is chosen for an article, it should be used consistently throughout the entire article. This means that all dates should follow the same format, whether they appear in the main text, infoboxes, or references.

2. Choosing a Format: The initial choice of date format should be based on the subject matter of the article and the predominant format used in reliable sources. For example, articles about topics related to the United States might use the MDY format, while those related to the United Kingdom might use the DMY format.

3. Existing Format: If an article already has a consistent date format, editors are encouraged to maintain that format unless there is a compelling reason to change it.

4. International Topics: For articles with a broad international scope, the YMD format may be appropriate, especially if it aligns with the format used in the majority of sources.

Implementation

To implement the MOS:DATEUNIFY guideline, editors should:

• Review the article to determine the current date format.
• Ensure that all dates within the article are consistent with the chosen format.
• Use Wikipedia's date templates, such as {{Use dmy dates}} or {{Use mdy dates}}, to indicate the chosen format and assist with maintenance.

Also see

• Wikipedia:Manual of Style/Dates and numbers
• Wikipedia:Manual of Style
• ISO 8601
• Date format by country

References

• Wikipedia:Manual of Style/Dates and numbers
• Wikipedia:Manual of Style