Today’s Friday Fun Fact…
St. Patty’s Day is right around the corner. It’s time to break out the corned beef and cabbage – that is assuming that you are not too full from eating pie this past Thursday. Wednesday, March 14th was Worldwide Pi Day. And while we may celebrate this auspicious occasion by consuming our favorite home baked delights, this holiday has little to do with those edible creations.
In March of 2009, the House of Representatives designated March 14 (3/14) as worldwide “Pi Day” to encourage the study of Pi and highlight the importance of math and science education programs.
According to www.piday.org, “Pi (Greek letter “?”) is the symbol used in mathematics to represent a constant — the ratio of the circumference of a circle to its diameter — which is approximately 3.14159. Pi has been calculated to over one trillion digits beyond its decimal point. As an irrational and transcendental number, it will continue infinitely without repetition or pattern.”
While 3/14 is a fitting day to celebrate this mathematical wonder, coincidentally it also falls on the birthday of the great physicists, Albert Einstein, who was born in 1879.
If Pi (or pie) is not your thing – don’t worry. According to thenibble.com, in March alone, there are plenty of other nationally recognized holidays that can tempt your taste buds.
For meat lovers we have National “Cold Cut Day on the 3rd and National Meatball Day on the 9th. For our vegetarian friends, we have Spinach Day on the 26th and National Artichoke Day on the 16th. For the snackers amongst us, enjoy Popcorn Lovers Day or National Potato Chip Day (also on March 14th) or my personal favorite, Cheese Doodle Day on March 5th.
