Colons and Capitals

Theresa asks:
I am trying to format quick links on a web page. When using a colon, is it right or wrong to capitalize the next word? For example, which of the following would be considered correct -

Canada Timeline: a chronology of key Canadian events
Canada Timeline: A chronology of key Canadian events

In general, when we use a colon to set off an important phrase or clause, we capitalize the first word in the phrase as Theresa has done in the second example. Another example would be

Notice: No appointments after Friday, March 25.

We would not use a capital to set off a list of words or phrases after a colon, unless the word would take a capital anyway.

You will need basic hiking equipment: boots, backpack, hat, and waterbottle.
I called the usual suspects: Fred, Bill, and Joe.

Comments

[Account Deleted]

I think the followings are worthconsidering:

1. Typically, an independent statement following a colon is not capitalized, particularly when it is closely related to the preceding sentence. However, if the independent statement is not closely related or if the writer wiches to emphasize it, a capital letter may be used.

There were fifteen or twenty woman in the room: None of the was his mather. (Legged, at al, 1988.199)

2. Or, if the subsequent statement consists of more than two sentences. (Sorry, I forgot its source since it is additional note I made on the first.)