National Pi Day (March 14)
Pi Day, celebrated every year on March 14, honors the mathematical constant π (pi), which is approximately 3.14159.
It’s a fun way to recognize the importance of math, science, and, of course, pie!
Schools, math enthusiasts, and even bakeries join in the festivities, making this day both educational and delicious.
Whether you love equations or just an excuse to enjoy dessert, it is a quirky holiday in March worth celebrating.
When is the Holiday?
It is celebrated annually on March 14 (3/14), matching the first three digits of pi (3.14).
Some math enthusiasts take it further by celebrating at 1:59 AM or PM to represent the next digits (3.14159).
Who Invented It?
Pi Day was founded in 1988 by physicist Larry Shaw at the Exploratorium in San Francisco.
He started the tradition by handing out fruit pies and tea at 1:59 PM to honor pi’s numerical sequence.
The History of the Holiday
Pi has been known since around 2,000 BC, used by ancient Egyptians and Babylonians in construction.
Over time, mathematicians like Archimedes, Fibonacci, and William Oughtred refined its calculation.
William Jones first used the Greek letter π in 1706, and later, Leonhard Euler popularized it in 1737.
The U.S. Congress officially recognized Pi Day as a national holiday on March 12, 2009.
Top 5 Facts About the Holiday
- Pi is an irrational number, meaning it never ends or repeats.
- March 14 is also Albert Einstein’s birthday.
- Some celebrate “Pi Approximation Day” on July 22 (22/7 is a common fraction used to estimate pi).
- The world record for memorizing pi digits is over 70,000.
- NASA uses pi for space travel calculations.
Activities to Celebrate
- Pi Day scavenger hunt. Find items around the home and school beginning with pi.
- Bake and eat pie. Celebrate with fruit pies or pizza pies.
- Memorize pi digits. Challenge yourself to recite as many as possible.
- Pi Day worksheets. Fun for classrooms and homeschool activities.
- Math games. Solve pi puzzles and math problems inspired by pi.
Related Recipes for the Holiday
- Pumpkin Pi Cookies. These adorable and delicious pumpkin-flavored cookies are shaped like the pi symbol, making them a fun and thematic treat. Decorate them with icing or chocolate drizzle for extra flair.
- Classic Apple Pie. A traditional favorite, this recipe includes a buttery, flaky crust filled with cinnamon-spiced apple slices. Serve it warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for the perfect dessert.
- Pizza Pi. Celebrate with a homemade pizza, using a circular crust to honor the mathematical concept. Customize with your favorite toppings and even cut slices in creative pi-inspired shapes.
- Mini Muffin Tin Salted Caramel Apple Pie Bites. These bite-sized treats offer all the flavors of a classic apple pie with a delightful twist. A flaky crust is filled with cinnamon-spiced apples and topped with a drizzle of rich, salted caramel, making them the perfect handheld dessert.
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Links to Resources
- Show off your love for math with a themed Pi Day Shirt, featuring fun designs that celebrate this unique holiday.
- A great accessory for math lovers, these PI Day wristbands make a fun and educational gift for students and teachers alike.
- Happy Pi Day to You! All About Measuring Circles. A fantastic children’s book that introduces the concept of pi through engaging storytelling and illustrations.
- Step-by-step tutorials for making Pi Day bracelets, bookmarks, and other creative projects.
Related Holidays
- Space Exploration Day (July 20)
- Pi Approximation Day (July 22)
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