Forum:Date formatting

I'd like to propose a policy for formatting dates, when they are free-formed, that an international date format be used. Reasoning should be obvious. Right now most instances seem to be using the American format (the day placed between month and year). I'm proposing YYYY-MM-DD, but other formats could be considered. Some instances where this might matter:
 * date
 * date
 * date
 * accessdate

See also a short discussion. -Howbizr (talk) 20:54, 27 May 2009 (UTC)
 * I would suggest that "27 May 2009" would be the best format for inside a paragraph, but "2009-05-27" would be best for templates/shorter use. Also, it shouldn't be a policy, it would probably be part of WP:MOS. -- 20:56, 27 May 2009 (UTC)


 * Oh I thought WP:MOS was a policy. -Howbizr (talk) 21:01, 27 May 2009 (UTC)


 * Just a guideline that we enforce... more or less. 21:33, 27 May 2009 (UTC)

I'd go for YYYY-MM-DD too for shorthand: it's best for alphanumeric ordering, and favours neither "local" US or UK date systems (and thus won't be confusing). And also agree with pcj for long hand - 27 May 2009. 23:58, 27 May 2009 (UTC)


 * Think this is enough consensus to go ahead? -Howbizr (talk) 15:28, 28 May 2009 (UTC)


 * Go for it. I suspect most blueposts and refs had their dates copy/pasted and that's why there is so much variation. I've never liked MM/DD/YYYY, but if you're lazy and copy/pasting, it's whatever it is. -- Fandyllic  (talk &middot; contr) 2:23 PM PST 29 May 2009

I've added it to http://www.wowwiki.com/WoWWiki:Manual_of_Style#Dates 15:55, 1 June 2009 (UTC)