March has something interesting every day it seems. Tomorrow is March 15th, the Roman “Ides of March” when Julius Caesar was assassinated by a conspiracy of men who did not want the Roman Republic ruled by an emperor. Two days later, on March 17th, is St. Patrick’s Day, when everyone is at least a wee bit Irish.
But today is the 14th of March, and that makes today a special day too. It is Pi Day, a day that celebrates the important number know as “pi.” Pi is a mathematical constant that represents the ratio between the circumference of a circle and its diameter. The value of pi is approximately equal to 3.14, so 3/14 is a fitting day to commemorate a number that is used in many calculations in math, engineering, and science.
Pi Day was invented in 1988 by Larry Shaw, a physicist who worked at the Exploratorium in San Francisco. It is still celebrated at the Exploratorium with marching in a circle and eating (what else?) pie.
Not only that, but March 14th is also the birthday of scientist and all-around smart guy Albert Einstein. So say “Happy Birthday” to Einstein, do a little math, and have some pie!
Posted by Nancy, who is one quarter Irish and likes pie (but doesn’t have time to bake one today).