Mole Day 2017: 3 Fast Facts

I know what you’re thinking…but actually, Mole Day is not a day devoted the celebrating the pesky mammals that make burrows in your garden. So, what is Mole Day? According to the National Mole Day Foundation, Mole Day is an annual celebration of Avogadro’s Number, or 6.02 x 10²³. It is celebrated every October 23^rd from 6:02 a.m. to 6:02 p.m.

Mole Day origins go back decades. This unofficial chemistry holiday was started by retired high school teacher Maurice Oehler 26 years ago. It has been championed by the National Mole Day Foundation, who establishes a theme for each year’s celebration. This year, the theme is “The MOLEvengers”.

Here are three fast facts you need to know about Mole Day 2017:

1. What is Avogadro’s Number?

Avodgadro’s number, or 6.02 x 10²³, is a basic unit of measurement during the study of chemistry. It helps scientists calculate the number of particles in one mole of a substance. Mole day origins begin with the discovery of the mole. This unit of measurement was discovered by Lorenzo Romano Amedeo Carlo Bernadette Avogadro di Quaregna e Cerreto, Count of Quaregna and Cerreto. (And you thought your name was long!)

2. Who Celebrates Mole Day?

Anyone can celebrate Mole Day! Mole Day is part of National Chemistry Week, a time when many high school teachers take the opportunity to teach their students some basic principles of chemistry. Of course, they also use this opportunity to make really bad jokes about moles. Here’s my favorite:

Q: Where did Avogadro stay on his vacation?

A: A mole-tel.

(I did warn you it was a bad joke.)

3. How Should We Celebrate Mole Day?

This is a day to embrace your inner geek. Make a stuffed mole (which the unofficial mascot of Mole Day). Write your own mole joke. Sing a mole song. If you want to get scientific, see if you can drink a mole of water. There are even dozens of videos about Mole Day on YouTube. If you decide to document your efforts, don’t forget to use #nationalmoleday to see how others are choosing to celebrate Mole Day 2017.

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