It seems only fitting that science nuts worldwide would not only celebrate pi, but also one of the greatest mathematicians of the 20th century. March 14 is Albert Einstein’s birthday (he would have been 144, had he somehow found immortality).
Einstein, a German theoretical physicist, is known for the various discoveries he made in physics. He developed the general theory of relativity and created the formula for mass-energy equivalence (E=mc2). He won the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1921 for his work and specifically for discovering the law of photoelectric effect, which played a part in establishing quantum theory.
If you want to pay homage to Einstein, visit an exhibit … or you could have an Einstein look-alike contest, like Princeton does.
Among the New Jersey town’s various activities on Pi Day is an Einstein Look-A-Like contest. The winner receives a $314.15 prize and a new bicycle.
Princetonians celebrate multiple aspects of Einstein’s life. The Princeton Symphony Orchestra held a children’s violin contest because Einstein played the violin, according to the Daily Princetonian. He was a friend of famous Japanese violinist Shinichi Suzuki. Whoever can master the arpeggios and fiddle tunes wins $314.15.
Princeton University dedicates a weekend to the Einstein festivities (known as "Greek Freak"), according to The Daily Princetonian. Students take part in a recitation contest and a no-socks sack hop to commemorate Einstein's distaste for wearing socks.
On the other side of the world, fans of the scientist visit the Einstein House and Museum in Bern, Switzerland. The museum is a part of Bern Historic Museum and started out in 2005 as a temporary exhibit. It was eventually made permanent, however, and kept several documentaries, animation, papers, and memorabilia looking at Einstein’s life.
The museum includes Einstein’s house, which displays personal family artifacts, a desk with a replica of his papers, and family notes.
