Celebrate Scientists Day is commemorated on March 14, coinciding with Albert Einstein’s birthday. On this day, we note scientific contributions from the past and present. We also applaud the achievements of scientists in helping to make our lives easier. Thanks to them, we know more about the world around us. They help save lives, protect the environment, cure diseases and learn about planets far away from ours. It’s often a thankless job with little fanfare and recognition, yet scientists hold one of the most critical roles in the modern world. Let’s take this day to appreciate their efforts.
History of Celebrate Scientists Day
Many scholars consider Aristotle the first scientist. He pioneered inquiry, observation, demonstration, and logic around the fourth century B.C. Aristotle’s work and philosophy influenced western society throughout the middle ages, shaping scientific study and ideas for thousands of years to come. Isaac Newton discovered the laws of gravity and invented calculus, a new form of mathematics, along the way. But Newton had never received recognition as a scientist, and he didn’t publish his findings until decades later, after much persuasion from Edmund Halley, the discoverer of Halley’s Comet.Charles Darwin is credited with teaching us about evolution, but like Newton, he was hesitant about exposing his ideas to public scrutiny. Darwin would not publish his findings “On the Origin of Species” until 1859, 20 years after his initial observations. He spent those years working hard to build his reputation as a scientist by conducting extensive research in the field of natural science. Some of his studies on marine life are still taught in many institutions today, but the scientific community wouldn’t widely accept Darwin’s findings on evolution until the 1930s. Albert Einstein, arguably the most famous physicist of modern times, applied for a math and physics teacher job but was rejected. If he had given up, we might have never learned about the Theory of Relativity, the Photoelectric Effect, or Quantum Mechanics.Today we know how important support, recognition, and appreciation are for scientists, and we understand why it’s so appropriate that Celebrate Scientists Day coincides with Einstein’s birthday.
Celebrate Scientists Day timeline
British physician William Harvey proposes that the heart pumps blood around the body, disputing the long-held belief that the liver is the engine for the circulatory system.
On May 24 Samuel Morse sends the first telegraph message from Washington D.C. to Baltimore, saying, "What hath God wrought?
Friedrich Miescher, a Swiss chemist, identifies the D.N.A. molecule.
Einstein proposes and publishes the Theory of Relativity.
Apollo 11 takes a man to the moon for the first time.
Celebrate Scientists Day FAQs
Why is World Science Day celebrated?
This day commemorates the discovery of the Raman effect by physicist and Nobel laureate C.V.Raman.
Is there a National Scientist Day?
Yes, National Scientist Day is celebrated on February 28.
How do we celebrate Science Day?
Science Day is celebrated by organizing public speeches, science model exhibitions, debates, and quizzes.
Celebrate Scientists Day Activities
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Visit a science museum
You can access lots of information and educational resources from science museums. Some even have interactive exhibits that allow for a hands-on experience.
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Read some science journals
If you're interested in scientific research and findings, you'll want to read a journal or two. You will be spoilt for choice on the topics to choose.
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Organize a science fiction movie marathon
Science fiction films are an entertaining glimpse into what the future holds. Organize a sci-fi movie marathon and invite your family or friends to join. Everyone can bring a movie for viewing.
5 Facts About Scientists Who Changed The World
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The youngest Physics Nobel laureate was 25
William Lawrence Bragg was only 25 years old when he won the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1915.
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Leonardo Da Vinci received little formal education
One of the most brilliant scientific minds of all time, Da Vinci, was largely self-taught, receiving little formal education beyond basic reading, writing, and mathematics.
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Nikola Tesla predicted smartphones and wifi
In 1901, Tesla proposed an idea based on instant communication, encoding messages and assigning them a new frequency broadcasted to a hand-held device — a concept that's strikingly similar to wireless internet and smartphones.
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The FBI had a file on Einstein
The FBI had a 1,427 pages dossier on Einstein, keeping track of his socialist and pacifist leanings.
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Galileo Galilei was a college dropout
Galilei dropped out of college in 1585 to pursue his interest in mathematics and would teach the same subject at the University of Pisa four years later.
Why We Love Celebrate Scientists Day
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Inderstanding the world around us
Everything we know today is because of scientific research and experiments, from how the universe formed to how life evolved on earth. We must commend those who gave us this knowledge.
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Always moving forward
We can attribute most of our development as a species to scientific and technological innovation. Humanity has advanced in leaps and bounds in just a few centuries, making us capable of things our ancestors could only dream of doing.
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Never ending pursuit of knowledge
Perhaps the most remarkable thing about scientists is their thirst for knowledge. They are at the frontier of the human story, always wanting to know and learn more and use this wisdom for the good of everyone.
Celebrate Scientists Day dates
| Year | Date | Day |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | March 14 | Tuesday |
| 2024 | March 14 | Thursday |
| 2025 | March 14 | Friday |
| 2026 | March 14 | Saturday |
| 2027 | March 14 | Sunday |
