Good morning. It's Saturday, March 14, and in this weekend edition, we're covering the quirky origins of Pi Day, how a self-cloning fish defies evolution, and much more. First time reading? Join over 4.7 million insatiably curious readers. Sign up here.
Don’t keep us a secret: Share the email with friends (copy URL here).
And, as always, send us feedback at [email protected]. |
|
|
|
|
A Slice of Pi Day History |
Today marks 39 years since the origin of Pi Day, honoring the mathematical constant π (pi), which represents the ratio of a circle's circumference to its diameter. Observed annually on March 14—or 3/14, echoing the first three digits of pi (3.14)—the day has grown from a nerdy math joke into a celebration of math, science, and pie.
Pi Day was first celebrated in 1988 at San Francisco's Exploratorium, where physicist Larry Shaw led participants in a parade around a circular space and served fruit pies. In 2009, the US House officially recognized March 14 as National Pi Day. The event has since inspired math contests, pie-eating contests, and gatherings timed at 1:59 pm to mark more digits (3.14159).
The concept of pi itself stretches back thousands of years. Ancient civilizations, including the Egyptians and Babylonians, used approximations in architecture and astronomy long before the symbol "π" appeared. Greek mathematician Archimedes later calculated pi using polygons. The symbol itself was popularized in 1706 by Welsh mathematician William Jones and widely adopted thanks to Swiss mathematician Leonhard Euler.
Memorize 400 digits of pi with this song (w/video). |
|
|
|
Why Most Gut Supplements Don’t Work |
|
Does this sound familiar? You’ve tried the viral gut supplements, expensive vitamins, and complicated elimination diets—yet the results are always the same: lingering bloat, brain fog, and a growing “supplement graveyard” of bottles that promised relief but never delivered.
The problem is that most gut products rely on probiotics that take weeks to colonize, leaving you waiting for benefits that may never come. Biotic by Beam changes the approach. As the world’s first tribiotic and glutathione stack, it delivers postbiotics that begin working immediately—reducing bloating by up to 54%. The formula also includes glutathione, the body’s “master antioxidant,” to support detoxification and cellular health so you can feel lighter, sharper, and perform at your best.
Biotic is now restocked in fan-favorite Blue Raspberry and Mixed Berry flavors. 1440 readers get up to 40% off with code 1440, but the exclusive offer is only available for the next 24 hours. |
|
Please support our sponsors! |
|
|
|
|
Six crew members killed in refueling plane crash in Iraq, US military says.
A KC-135 refueling tanker (see overview) involved in the US operations against Iran had crashed in western Iraq Thursday after an incident with a second aircraft, which was able to land safely. Officials say the crash did not result from hostile or friendly fire and occurred in what the military described as friendly airspace. Investigations continue into how the midair incident happened.
Separately, the US military is reportedly sending 2,500 Marines and at least one more warship to the Middle East. See updates on the war here (w/maps). |
DOJ charges man accused of selling gun to Old Dominion University shooter.
A former Army National Guard member opened fire in a classroom, killing an ROTC instructor and wounding two others before being subdued and killed by ROTC students. Officials noted the shooter had been convicted of attempting to aid the Islamic State and was on supervised release at the time. Authorities also charged a man with illegally selling the firearm used in the shooting to the gunman, who was prohibited from owning a gun due to his prior conviction. |
Cuba acknowledges talks with the US, aiming to resolve differences.
Cuba publicly confirmed it is engaged in negotiations with the US, after weeks of media reports that Washington and Havana were exploring a possible economic and political arrangement to ease the island’s deepening crisis. Cuba's struggles have been compounded by a US-led oil blockade, with widespread blackouts, fuel shortages, and disruptions to essential services. See an explainer on US-Cuba relations here. |
The 98th Academy Awards take place tomorrow (7 pm ET, ABC and Hulu).
Ryan Coogler’s 1930s-set vampire epic, "Sinners," leads the nominations with a record‑breaking 16 nods, followed by black‑comedy action‑thriller "One Battle After Another" with 13. Comedian Conan O'Brien returns as host for the second year. This year also marks the first recognition of casting directors. See predictions here and what's inside the Oscars gift bags here. Read our curated history of the awards here. |
Gene conversion helps clonal fish species hack evolution.
Scientists studying the all-female Amazon molly, a freshwater fish in Texas and Mexico that has reproduced asexually for roughly 100,000 years, have discovered how it avoids the genetic decay normally expected in long‑term clones. Researchers found these fish can purge and repair harmful DNA mutations, helping to explain how a self‑cloning species has persisted far longer than theory predicts. |
Giant early tyrannosaur bone possibly rewrites T. rex origins.
Paleontologists uncovered a 74‑million‑year‑old shinbone in New Mexico, measuring 3.1 feet—about 84% the size of the tibia belonging to "Sue," the largest known T. rex. The bone likely belonged to an early tyrannosaur that predates the T. rex by millions of years, suggesting the T. rex lineage first evolved in the American Southwest rather than migrating from Asia and was widespread far earlier than previously thought. |
|
|
|
NBA players' fines for technical fouls and poor sportsmanship go toward matching grants for charitable causes. (More) |
A 13-year-old boy has recycled over 1.5 million drink cans in the past three years and donated the roughly $24K he has made from scrap metal to charity. (More) |
Thirty-five fathers gather at a London pub to learn how to braid their daughters' hair, an event dubbed "Pints and Ponytails." (More) |
High school students work with a Virginia-based nonprofit to refurbish used cars for single mothers. (More) |
Son, 80, and father, 99, have a free birthday meal at an Alabama oyster restaurant thanks to a decades-old sign. (More) |
|
|
|
In partnership with Particle |
|
Men, you've been misinformed!
Men’s skin is about 25% thicker than women’s, but thicker skin doesn't mean better aging. It means delayed collapse. For years, men's skin looks resilient. Then collagen declines — and when it does, it drops harder: deeper wrinkles, heavier-looking under-eye bags, more dark spots.
Particle Face Cream was built to correct this. Engineered for men's skin, this 6-in-1 formula reduces eye bags, dark spots, and wrinkles, helping guys look and feel their best at any age. Use code 1440 for an exclusive 20% off, plus free shipping and a 30-day money-back guarantee. |
|
|
|
|
Today, we're sharing a story from reader JT T. in Ocoee, Florida.
"My friend Glenn passed away unexpectedly in 2023 at age 39. In the years prior to his death, he had released two children’s books. They were both based on experiences he had as a child. I travel some for work, and at his funeral, I promised him I would take his books with me and leave them in cities to get his work out. They would be left at libraries, children’s hospitals, and book-exchange locations. Other friends of ours also participated, and we started sharing the journeys on social media. His family and others who knew him joined in as well.
"In the three years since his death, his books are now in 41 cities and towns; in 17 different states, plus Washington, D.C., and Puerto Rico; and in two other countries. He had a third book written before his death, and friends of his are working with his family to finalize it. Coincidentally, it’s about the power of friendship. I’ve learned that you can do little things to help friends that mean plenty, and all it really costs is a bit of time and effort."
Humankind(ness) is a reader-built corner of joy. So, what act(s) of kindness did you experience this week? Tell us here. And if this story made you smile—share our email (copy URL here). |
|
|
|
|
🎓 1440 Explores ... College Tuition |
|
College in America looks like a luxury, but it works more like an airline flight: Everyone pays a different fare for the same destination. Our latest episode of the "1440 Explores" podcast untangles the hidden story of college tuition, including how it works, why it feels expensive, and how most students don't pay the sticker price. |
We'll unpack:
> What decades-old policies shaped who could afford higher education.
> Why the sticker price exists and how it secretly funds discounts for everyone else.
> How student loans came to be and who really carries the biggest debts.
> Why "free college" abroad comes with trade-offs and a very different philosophy. |
|
|
|
"I always like to fake bravery. But I really think that solidified me being brave, speaking up for myself and just putting myself first." |
|
|
Behind the Name. In 1440, the printing press sparked a knowledge revolution. We carry that spirit forward, cutting through the noise and algorithm-driven feeds, to bring fact-driven knowledge to everyone.
Want to connect with 4.7 million insatiably curious minds? Become a 1440 partner here.
Need a breather? Snooze this email for 30 days. |
|
1440 Media 222 W Merchandise Mart Plaza, Suite 1212 Chicago, IL 60654
Copyright © 2026, 1440 Media, All rights reserved. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
