The internet has a habit of inspiring new, geeky holidays, like Square Root Day, National High Five Day, Talk Like a Pirate Day and a favorite among mathletes everywhere, Pi Day.

Pi Day falls on March 14th because of the first digits of Pi- 3.14. Another geeky boon is that the holiday also happens to be the birthday of one of science’s biggest rockstars, Albert Einstein. Many cities and institutions of geekery, like the Maryland Science Center, hold celebrations to party down on the mathiest day of the year. The OC Register points out that not only is the Discovery Science Center hosting a shindig, but some local restaurants are dishing out free pie in honor of Pi Day. San Francisco’s Exploratorium has been Pi partying for over two decades.

The truly geeky, of course, are waiting for Pi Day 2015 for some nerdy reason explained in detail on their Facebook page. If you live in a town full of stupids, that doesn’t mean you can’t have a little bit of fun with Pi Day. The Joy of Pi has a wealth of Pi-related links for you to browse. You can also visit the official Pi Day website for ideas.

[Image]

Pi Day 2009: The Digits of Pi

In case you haven’t figured it out yet, March 14, 2009 is designated Pi Day because of its numerical date: 3-14, i.e. the mathematical constant of pi. The number 3.14, of course, is actually just a rounded version of the number — the figure itself has an infinite number of digits after its decimal. You can see the first 10,000 of the digits of pi here, if you’re so inclined.

Pi Day Activities

So what’s one to do on National Pi Day 2009, aside from reveling in the joy of 3.14? Some cities are holding official celebrations. You can find a slew of other Pi Day activities for kids at this site by Scholastic. And a detailed history of pi awaits you here. If you’re still itching for mathematical satisfaction, check out this page at the Joy of Pi. It’s bursting with 3.14-related activities and information.

The official Pi Day site also offers e-cards, history info on pi, and pi-related merchandise.

Pi Day is also Albert Einstein’s birthday. You can find a whole kit of games and activities to celebrate Einstein-style here.

Pi Songs

If you want to ring in Pi Day in a low-key fashion, so to speak, you could always try rocking out to the pi song. A guy named Felix Jung took the time to convert pi’s digits into a musical form, and you can help compose the specific tune. Go here.

Or, sit back and relax to the sounds of these Pi Song renditions:

The Pi Song:

The Pi Song (instrumental piano version):

The Pi Song (rap version)

Another Pi Song Rap:

Should all of this be giving you a headache, try the simplest celebration of all: Pi Day, apple-style. Here’s to 3.14!

Square Root Day 2009

It seems people worldwide are celebrating this Square Root Day 2009. Some of the festivities, quite fittingly, include cutting root vegetables into squares and making food in the shape of the square root symbol.

The last Square Root Day was on February 2 of 2004 (yep, Groundhog Day). The next isn’t until April 4, 2016.

Square Root Day Contest

So onto the cash: Ron Gordon, a teacher from Redwood City, California, has started a contest to drum up excitement about the Square Root Day holiday. Gordon is looking for the largest Square Root Day celebration. He wants to see the square root-related event with the highest number of people involved.

Think you’ve got the goods to compete? Gordon is handing up prizes totaling, of course, $339. Send photos and/or descriptions of your event to rgordon [at] seq.org, or mail them to Ron Gordon, P.O. Box 5133, Redwood City, CA 94063.

Pi Day, Odd Day, and Other Math Holidays

You’ve got a good several years to wait for more square root fun, but fear not: More mathematical holidays are on the way sooner. Here are some upcoming occasions:

• Pi Day: March 4, 2009. You know, 3.14. Ignore the 09.

• Odd Day: May 7, 2009. Three odd numbers appear in the appropriate order (3/7/09).

• Mole Day: October 23 at 6:02 (a.m. or p.m.). The date and time match the chemistry measuring unit of “mole”: 6.02 x 10 to the 23rd power. Suggestion: Celebrate this one alone. Some things, your friends just don’t need to know.