Math enthusiasts around the world, from college kids to rocket scientists, are gearing up to celebrate Pi Day on Thursday, March 14th. Pi Day is named after the mathematical constant Pi, which represents the ratio of a circle's circumference to its diameter. This infinite number, with its first three digits being 3.14, has many practical uses in fields such as physics, astronomy, and engineering.

Pi Day itself dates back to 1988 when physicist Larry Shaw initiated celebrations at the Exploratorium science museum in San Francisco. However, it wasn't until 2009 when Congress officially designated March 14th as Pi Day in hopes of sparking more interest in math and science. Coincidentally, March 14th is also the birthday of renowned physicist Albert Einstein.

Pi is not only a mathematical constant but also has practical applications. It is crucial for accurately pointing antennas towards satellites, determining the size of equipment in refineries, and even calculating orbits and positions of celestial bodies for NASA. Using just nine digits of pi, scientists can accurately calculate the Earth's circumference.

The celebration of Pi Day goes beyond just math and science. Events are organized around the country, including a parade around the Pi Shrine in San Francisco and activities at colleges like Nova Southeastern University in Florida. Michele's Pies in Norwalk, Connecticut, sees a surge in orders for pies on Pi Day, as people indulge in sweet and savory treats to mark the occasion.

NASA also gets in on the Pi Day fun with its annual "Pi Day Challenge" online, offering games and puzzles related to space exploration. The day also serves as a tribute to Albert Einstein, whose theories heavily relied on the infinite number Pi.

In a bittersweet twist, famed physicist Stephen Hawking passed away on March 14th, 2018, adding another layer of significance to the day. Despite Pi not being a perfect number, as Hawking once noted, the celebration of Pi Day continues to bring people together to appreciate the wonders of math and science.