On March 14, 1879, Albert Einstein, one of the most influential physicists of all time, was born in Ulm, Germany. Explore key events from his remarkable life and groundbreaking scientific achievements.
In History, on This Day… 14 March 1879 : Albert Einstein
On March 14, 1879, one of the most brilliant minds in human history was born – Albert Einstein. The son of a Jewish electrical engineer in Ulm, Germany, Einstein would go on to revolutionize our understanding of the universe through his groundbreaking theories.
After studying physics and mathematics in Switzerland, Einstein published his annus mirabilis (miracle year) papers in 1905 while working at a patent office. These five papers laid the foundation for quantum mechanics, proved the existence of atoms, introduced his special theory of relativity which showed that time and space are relative, and contained his famous equation E=mc2 showing mass and energy are equivalent.
In 1916, Einstein unveiled his general theory of relativity, proposing that gravity warps the fabric of space-time. This was confirmed in 1919 when astronomers observed starlight being bent by the sun’s mass during an eclipse, making Einstein world famous overnight.
Over the following decades, Einstein continued to develop unified field theory ideas while also becoming an outspoken advocate for pacifism and Zionism. When the Nazis rose to power in 1933 Germany, the Jewish Einstein renounced his citizenship and immigrated to America in 1933, joining Princeton University.
At Princeton, Einstein pursued his elusive unified theory while also finding time to relax by sailing and playing violin until his death. His astonishing insights into relativity, quanta, and the cosmos transformed humanity’s conception of reality.
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