A UNESCO-proclaimed day celebrating the importance of mathematics in daily life and in addressing modern challenges, timed to the date matching the value of pi.
Date14 March
TopicScience & Technology
Established2019
Ways to observe this day
Play a game or solve a math puzzle with your kids or friends
Explore a real-world application of math in something you love, like art, nature, or technology
Share a fun or surprising math fact on social media
Encourage a student struggling with math by sharing a tip or a simple learning resource
In November 2019, UNESCO's General Conference approved the proclamation of March 14 as the International Day of Mathematics, on the initiative of the International Mathematical Union (IMU), with the first official celebration held on March 14, 2020. The date was chosen to coincide with "Pi Day," already celebrated in countries that write dates as 3/14, referencing the number π, approximately 3.14, the ratio of a circle's circumference to its diameter.
The day highlights the essential role mathematics plays in understanding and solving the world's problems, from artificial intelligence and climate change to energy and sustainable development, and encourages younger generations to appreciate and engage with the subject. UNESCO and mathematical associations worldwide organize annual events under a different theme each year, including school competitions, interactive workshops, and public lectures that simplify complex mathematical ideas and connect them to everyday applications.