The year 2005 was named the World Year of Physics, also known as Einstein Year, in recognition of the 100th anniversary of
Albert Einstein's "
Miracle Year", in which he published four landmark papers, and the subsequent advances in the field of
physics.[1]
History
Physics has been the basis for understanding the physical world and nature as a whole. The applications of physics are the basis for much of today's technology. In order to both raise worldwide awareness of physics and celebrate the major advances made in the field, the World Congress of Physical Societies proposed[2] and the
International Union of Pure and Applied Physics resolved that 2005 should be commemorated as the World Year of Physics. This was subsequently endorsed by
UNESCO.[2]
Selected celebrations
The World Year of Physics officially began with a conference held in mid-January in Paris, titled Physics for Tomorrow.[3]
In
Berlin, sixteen large, red E's have been erected along a section of the famous
Unter den Linden boulevard. Called the "Einstein Mile", the E's were in place from April to September 2005 and displayed information on the theories and life of Albert Einstein.
A Beyond Einstein World Wide Webcast, organized by
CERN, was held on December 1, 2005.
Violinist
JackLiebeck and
Oxford University physics professor
Brian Foster created a joint presentation, Einstein's Universe, for the World Year of Physics, and continued to tour with it in the 2010s.[5][6]