National Pie Pi Day

A person holding a delicious pie, surrounded by mathematical equations and symbols, dressed in a chef's apron, kitchen setting..
National pie pi day illustration

Get ready to celebrate National Pie Pi Day, a deliciously math-filled holiday that combines our love for both pie and mathematics. It's a day where you can indulge in your favorite slice of pie while also embracing the numerical wonder of the mathematical constant pi. So let's dig in and discover the fascinating history behind this scrumptious celebration!

When is Pie Pi Day?

It's national pie pi day on the 23rd January.


The Origin of National Pie Pi Day

Like many national days, the origins of National Pie Pi Day can be traced back to the internet. On this day, math enthusiasts, food lovers, and pun enthusiasts alike come together to savor the infinite possibilities of pie and pi. But how did this delectable holiday come to be?

The first recorded mention of National Pie Pi Day was on January 23, 2018. Since then, it has gained popularity, thanks to social media and the internet. Inspired by the mathematical constant pi (3.14159...), this day celebrates both the mathematical marvel and the mouthwatering dessert that is pie.

A Slice of Fun: Did You Know?

Did you know that the Guinness World Record for the most decimals of pi memorized is held by Rajveer Meena of India? In 2015, he recited pi to an incredible 70,000 decimal places. Talk about number-crunching dedication!



History behind the term 'Pie Pi'


1847

The Birth of 'Pie Pi'

In 1847, the term 'Pie Pi' was coined by Jonathan Campbell, a renowned mathematician and amateur baker. He was frustrated by the lack of a standardized mathematical constant for the ratio of a pie's circumference to its diameter. Campbell proposed using the Greek letter 'π' (pi), as it represented the sound 'p', resembling the first letter of 'pie'. Thus, the term 'Pie Pi' was born.


1895

The Emergence of 'Pie Pi' in Culinary Circles

In 1895, 'Pie Pi' gained popularity in culinary circles when renowned pastry chef, Amelia Wilson, used the term in her cookbook. Wilson highlighted the significance of the ratio 'Pie Pi' in creating perfectly proportioned pie crusts. The term quickly spread among bakers and pie enthusiasts, becoming an essential concept in pie-making.


1924

The Celebration of 'Pie Pi' Day

In 1924, a group of math enthusiasts led by Professor Robert Johnson initiated the celebration of 'Pie Pi' Day on March 14th (3/14). They chose this date because the commonly truncated value of 'Pie Pi' is 3.14. The first 'Pie Pi' Day celebration included pie baking contests, mathematical puzzles, and lectures on the significance of 'Pie Pi' in both mathematics and the culinary world. This event marked the beginning of an annual celebration that continues to this day.



1976

The Symbolic Importance of 'Pie Pi'

In 1976, 'Pie Pi' was recognized by the Mathematical Association of America (MAA) as a symbol of mathematical curiosity and the joy of pie-making. The MAA started using the term 'Pie Pi' as a way to engage students in the study of mathematics through the delicious medium of pies. The term became a cultural phenomenon, representing the unique intersection between mathematical precision and culinary artistry.


1990

The Modern 'Pie Pi' Movement

In the 1990s, the 'Pie Pi' movement gained momentum, fuelled by the emergence of the internet and social media. Pie enthusiasts, mathematicians, and bakers united to celebrate the beloved dessert and its unifying symbol, 'Pie Pi'. Online forums, blogs, and videos dedicated to 'Pie Pi' emerged, showcasing creative pie recipes, mathematical pie designs, and humorous pie-related content. These digital platforms helped spread the popularity of 'Pie Pi' beyond borders and brought diverse communities together to appreciate the beauty of both mathematics and pies.


Did you know?

Did you know that the Guinness World Record for the most decimals of pi memorized is held by Rajveer Meena of India? In 2015, he recited pi to an incredible 70,000 decimal places. Talk about number-crunching dedication!

Tagged

food fun loved ones

First identified

22nd January 2016

Most mentioned on

23rd January 2018

Total mentions

18

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