Fibonacci Day

Fibonacci Day is celebrated on November 23rd in America in honor of the greatest mathematician of medieval Europe, Leonardo Bonacci. This date marks his immense contribution to the development of mathematics which includes the introduction of the Fibonacci sequence.

History

Leonardo Bonacci was born into an Italian merchant family. During a trip to South Africa, he was exposed to the Indo-Arabic number system, which he brought back to Europe in 1202. He is also credited for introducing the Fibonacci sequence of numbers, which are derived by adding the two preceding numbers in order to get the final number (1, 2, 3, 5, 8, etc). This sequence is used to calculate the proportions of many things, from weather patterns to the universe itself.

Interesting facts

• Hurricanes and other natural phenomena correspond to the Fibonacci spiral.
• The facial features of a person that most closely correspond to the golden ratio are considered beautiful and ideal.
• Flower petals and snail shells consistently match the Fibonacci sequence.

How to take part

If you’ve never been interested in math, it’s time to start! Learn about the Fibonacci sequence and if you don’t understand the meaning, reach out to a mathematician or ask questions on social media, as many people celebrate the holiday and are eager to help. Create your own spiral and involve your family and friends in the activity. Finally, share photos of your journey on social media to spread awareness of the date.

When is Fibonacci Day celebrated in 2023?

Fibonacci Day is observed on November 23 each year.

Observations