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It's National Pi Day (And Yes, You Should Eat Some Pie To Celebrate)
By
Jen Carlson
Published Mar 14, 2012
Modified Mar 14, 2012
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By
Jen Carlson
Published Mar 14, 2012
Modified Mar 14, 2012
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Yes, you can have your Pi and eat it, too.
Happy Pi Day, to those celebrating the mathematical constant π (pi). Naturally, the celebration lands on March 14th ever year, and if you don't know why, then you can stop reading now and shhh rest your brain.
The day was created by Larry Shaw in 1988, and first celebrated at the San Francisco Exploratorium, where Shaw worked as a physicist. According to lore, on that day the staff and public marched around one of its circular spaces, then consumed fruit pies. Their site states, "On the afternoon of March 14th participate in pi-related activities and enjoy a piece of pie. If you can't join us in person, watch our webcast on explo.tv or celebrate with us in Second Life."
After over two decades of celebrating on a non-official level, the U.S. House of Representatives passed a non-binding resolution that recognized March 14th, 2009 as National Pi Day. And you know you've got a real holiday on your hands when Google devotes a Doodle to it—which they did in 2010.
What kind of pie do you think pairs well with Pi Day? It's also worth noting that today would have been Albert Einstein's 133rd birthday, and as one person with internet access once stated, he liked pie.
Tagged
albert einstein
birthday
national pi day
nerd alert
pi day
pie
Jen Carlson
Jen Carlson is a former WNYC and Gothamist editor.
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Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
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