On July 17, we commemorate the number 17 with Yellow Pig Day. Despite the fact that this may sound like National Pork Day, it is truly a day to celebrate the marvels of mathematics, specifically the unique properties of the number 17. Whether you’re a maths novice or a world-renowned mathematician, we have all the mind-boggling facts and history of Yellow Pig Day right here, along with brilliant suggestions for how to celebrate!
The background of Yellow Pig Day
Michael Spivak and David Kelly studied mathematics at Princeton in the 1960s. They spent a great deal of time contemplating the characteristics of the number 17 and became obsessed with its incredible combination of simplicity and complexity, which recurred frequently in the mathematics they were employing and developing.
Their obsession grew into a desire to commemorate the number 17 with a special day, and they designed a yellow pig as a mascot for their event. To demonstrate their love for the number 17, they gave their swine 17 teeth, 17 toes, and 17 of everything else!
Yellow Pig Day has exploded in popularity since its humble beginnings, with students and teachers equally gathering to celebrate this special number and mathematics in general. Classes sing 17-themed carols, share 17-themed cakes, and perform 17-themed games. Some individuals even construct origami yellow pigs and wear T-shirts featuring yellow pigs with pride.
Both of its founders continue to work in mathematics. Kelly remains involved in the annual planning of the holiday, which is celebrated with food, music, and a reunion. His preoccupation with the number 17 is still going strong, and every summer he even gives a special lecture on the topic. He founded the Hampshire College Summer Studies in Mathematics (HCSSiM), a six-week programme for mathematically gifted high school students intended to inspire and encourage them in the field of mathematics as a whole, though it presumably also contains the number 17!
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YELLOW PIG DAY ACTIVITIES
Collect 17 items.
Celebrate the number 17 by accumulating 17 items from your favourite category, such as flowers, books, or chocolates.
Draw a yellow pig
Create your own Yellow Pig Day mascot, and incorporate the number 17 in some way for extra credit!
Investigate the number 17
The number 17 has intriguing properties as well as historical significance. You will be shocked by what you discover!
5 fascinating tidbits about the number 17.
As a prime number, it is a positive integer that cannot be created by multiplying two lesser integers.
Add the first four prime numbers (2, 3, 5, and 7) to obtain the number 17. This is one of the reasons why the founders of Yellow Pig Day liked it so much!
The 17th Amendment to the United States Constitution grants citizens the right to elect senators democratically.
With 17 consecutive victories in 1993, the Pittsburgh Penguins accomplished the longest winning streak in NHL history.
Popular haiku poetry is composed of 17 syllables in three lines of 5, 7, and 5 syllables each.
YELLOW PIG DAY DATES
| Year | Date | Day |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | July 17 | Monday |
| 2024 | July 17 | Wednesday |
| 2025 | July 17 | Thursday |
| 2026 | July 17 | Friday |
| 2027 | July 17 | Saturday |
