Albert Einstein was born on March 14, 1879, in Ulm, Germany, into a Jewish family. Despite popular myths, Einstein was not a poor student—he excelled in math and science from a young age. However, he did struggle with traditional schooling methods, often finding them rigid and uninspiring. This led him to be somewhat rebellious and unconventional in his approach to learning. At 16, Einstein renounced his German citizenship and moved to Switzerland, where he eventually studied at the Swiss Federal Polytechnic School in Zurich.

Einstein's theories have had an enormous impact on both science and everyday life. Some of the key ways his work has changed the world include:

• Technological Advancements: Einstein’s work on the photoelectric effect laid the groundwork for quantum mechanics, which has led to the development of technologies like computers, lasers, and GPS. Without an understanding of relativity, for example, GPS systems would be far less accurate, as they need to account for the effects of both special and general relativity to pinpoint locations correctly.
• Nuclear Energy and Weapons: Einstein’s equation, E = mc², showed the relationship between mass and energy. This concept played a key role in the development of nuclear energy and, unfortunately, nuclear weapons. Einstein himself was a pacifist, and though he warned about the dangers of nuclear technology, he did not directly participate in the Manhattan Project, which developed the atomic bomb.
• Astrophysics and Cosmology: General relativity has been essential for understanding the large-scale structure of the universe, including the discovery of black holes and the Big Bang theory. The bending of light around stars and galaxies due to gravitational lensing, predicted by general relativity, has become an essential tool for astronomers exploring the far reaches of the cosmos.
• Space Exploration: Einstein’s theories have been fundamental in the planning and execution of space missions. The understanding of gravity, spacetime, and the behavior of objects in extreme conditions has been critical for launching satellites and planning journeys to distant planets.

Today we pay tribute to a great mind.