Origins of Richter Day

According to the Omaha News, as the Richter scale started to fade from use, historians in his hometown were worried that the famous scientist's legacy would be overlooked. And so Richter Day was conceived as a way of keeping Richter’s legacy alive. Richter Day is celebrated annually on April 26, his bithday. Within seismology, Richter's contributions live on, through equations that are critical for forecasting future earthquakes and calculating earthquake hazards.

Here are a few suggestions for celebrating Richter Day at school or at home.

At School:

● Prepare a brief report on Richter Day and Charles Richter and ask to read this on the Morning Announcements.

● Encourage your classmates to wear a shoestring to honor Richter. He once was reminded by his secretary that he should probably wear a tie to a presentation he was giving. He balked at that idea but reached down, undid one of his shoelaces, and used

that as his “tie.”

● Collaborate with your art teacher to paint a rock to honor Richter. If you live in Bulter County, these rocks may then be placed at the base of Richter’s Ohio Historical Marker at the Richter Roundabout near Edgewood High School. The laying of a rock symbolizes your esteem for Richter.

● Have someone in your class bake earthquake cookies (recipe in the Digital Resources section) and bring them to school on this day for all to share.

● Click on the image below to access the interactive map to see recent earthquake activity from around the world

At Home:

● Write a letter to a friend, neighbor, or family member who may not know much about Charles Richter and explain what it is about him that you admire.

● Select and paint a rock to honor Richter and then ask someone if they would take you to the Richter Ohio Historical Marker to place it there in his honor.

● Wear a shoestring to honor Richter. He once was reminded by his secretary that he should probably wear a tie to a presentation he was giving. He balked at that idea but reached down, undid one of his shoelaces, and used that as his “tie.”

● Bake and enjoy Earthquake Cookies with your family and friends. (recipe in the Digital Resources section)