Irish Mensa Lecture & Discussion: Calendar Curiosities for February 29

Did Archbishop Whitgift really die on February 29, 1603? Why are there more Friday 13th's now than in the Middle Ages? How did a famous composer (who died on Friday 13th) manage to write all his 39 operas before his ninth birthday? And how can we explain the mysterious date of the death of St. Teresa of Avila?

This lecture will cast light upon the quirks of our calendar, and you'll also learn a quick way to work out the day of the week of any given date.

Our Speaker:
Professor Tony Mann has taught mathematics and computing at the University of Greenwich for over twenty years. He was President of the British Society for the History of Mathematics from 2008 to 2011 and is editor of the Newsletter of the London Mathematical Society.

He has always been fascinated by the interface between mathematics and computing, and he began his career writing software for the mathematical modelling of power plants in the electricity supply industry. Since moving into academia he has taught subjects ranging from abstract algebra and the history of mathematics to digital media and human factors in computing.

This is a FREE virtual event, with no need to register in advance. Just click on the Zoom link when it is time to join the meeting.

Join Zoom Meeting: https://tinyurl.com/22ya3v7h
Meeting ID: 824 7930 6212
Passcode: 850078

The lecture will take place at 7 p.m. Irish time. Consider using WorldTimeBuddy for your local equivalent: https://tinyurl.com/9d44zxke.

For more information, contact Mary Reilly at mary@craftcottage.ie.