22/7 and Caesar

22/7.

This is the Greek mathematician Archimedes' first approximation of Pi(π).

Pi is more commonly calculated to be 3.1415926, and Pi Day (March 14) celebrates this number. To be accurate, Pi instant occurs on March 14 at 1:59:26 a.m./p.m. Hence yesterday was Pi Day. Frequently, Pi Day is celebrated by eating pie (lots of it and lots of various types), and contemplating the importance of Pi.

Larry Shaw, a physicist at the San Francisco Exploratorium, is the founder of Pi Day, which was first celebrated in 1988. Pies of all types are consumed -- and yes, include pizza.

22/7 is a more accurate estimate of Pi, and Pi Approximation Day is celebrated on July 22. Pi is an irrational number, hence the fraction 22/7 is considered to be a closer approximation.

Note: On March 14, 2015, the date will reflect five digits of pi (3/14/15) rather than three. Pi minute will be at 9:26 on that day, and pi second will be at 9:26:53.

Further Pi Note: The symbol for pi was first used in 1706 by William Jones, but came into common use after it was adopted by the Swiss mathematician Leonhard Euler. in 1737.

And last, but not least: The Massachusetts Institute of Technology mails its acceptance (and hence its rejection) letters to have their delivery coincide with Pi Day. Potential M.I.T. students will either be enjoying Pi, or left feeling as if they've had one thrown in their face.

On to today's date, March 15.

The date has become imbued with a dark meaning. The soothsayers allegedly told Julius Caesar to 'beware the Ides Of March!' In J.C.'s day, however, it was a way of referring to the middle of a month. There's an 'ides' of every month of the year. The fifteenth is specific to March, May, July and October, whereas the thirteenth day of every other month is categorized as the ides. However, Caesar immortalized this specific March day.

In 709 AUC, Caesar was assassinated on the Ides of March. Over 60 conspirators stabbed him in the Roman Senate -- one might safely assume they were all senators. (Can you imagine a similar event occurring in the U.S. Senate? Hmmm, come to think of it.....)