CHICAGO – Mathematics enthusiasts and pie lovers alike are celebrating Pi Day on March 14th, a day dedicated to the mathematical constant π (pi), which is approximately equal to 3.14. The holiday has grown in popularity over the years and is now celebrated in countries around the world.
Pi Day was first celebrated in 1988 by the staff of the San Francisco Exploratorium, a museum focused on science, art, and human perception. The date was chosen because it corresponds to the first three digits of pi.
Since then, Pi Day has been marked by a number of historic events, including NASA’s 2015 tweet featuring the first 12 digits of pi and an image of the Earth from space, and Google’s 2018 doodle featuring a slice of pie made up of the first few digits of pi. In 2019, a researcher used Google’s cloud computing technology to calculate pi to a record-breaking 31.4 trillion decimal places, demonstrating the power of modern computing technology.
Today, Pi Day is celebrated in a variety of ways, from indulging in favorite types of pie to participating in pi-related activities like reciting as many digits of pi as possible or attending math events. The day serves as a testament to the enduring importance of pi and its significance in our lives, from calculating the circumference of a circle to exploring the mysteries of the universe.
In 2009, the US House of Representatives officially recognized March 14th as National Pi Day, and the holiday has continued to grow in popularity ever since. So whether you’re a math whiz or simply a fan of delicious desserts, Pi Day is a day to celebrate. So go ahead and have a slice of pie – and raise a fork to pi!
