Nobel Prize Day
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Overview
Nobel Prize Day, observed annually on December 10th, commemorates the death of Alfred Nobel and the prestigious awards ceremony held in Stockholm, Sweden, and Oslo, Norway. It honors the groundbreaking achievements of individuals and organizations who have made outstanding contributions in physics, chemistry, physiology or medicine, literature, peace, and economic sciences, inspiring humanity to strive for a better world.
Origin and story
The Nobel Prizes were established by the will of Swedish inventor Alfred Nobel, who invented dynamite.
The first Nobel Prizes were awarded in 1901, five years after Alfred Nobel's death.
Quick facts
- DateDecember 10
- TypeGeek / Tech
- Great forTech teams, STEM clubs, Developers
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Ways to celebrate
Popular legend says Alfred Nobel created his prize after reading his own premature obituary, which supposedly branded him a "merchant of death" for inventing dynamite. The real story is subtler: a French newspaper did mistakenly publish an obituary for Alfred instead of his late brother Ludwig in 1888, but historians have found the dramatic "merchant of death" quote was invented decades later — Nobel's real motivation is better traced to his 20-year friendship with Austrian peace activist Bertha von Suttner.
Mark the actual anniversary
- Watch or read about the Nobel Prize ceremonies, held every December 10 in Stockholm and Oslo on the anniversary of Nobel's 1896 death, as specified in his will.
Learn the real story behind the prize
Helpful resources: HISTORY examines the myth versus the documented record in "Did a Premature Obituary Inspire the Nobel Prize?"
Look into this year's winners
- Read a summary of the year's laureates in physics, chemistry, medicine, literature, peace, or economic sciences, and pick one whose work you didn't know about before.
Did you know?
Nobel signed the will creating the prizes in 1895, informing almost no one in advance — his family and the scientific institutions named as prize administrators were reportedly caught by surprise when it was read after his death.
Fun facts
- The Nobel Prizes were established by the will of Swedish inventor Alfred Nobel, who invented dynamite.
- The first Nobel Prizes were awarded in 1901, five years after Alfred Nobel's death.
- The Peace Prize is awarded in Oslo, Norway, while the other prizes are awarded in Stockholm, Sweden.
- Laureates receive a medal, a diploma, and a monetary award, which varies each year.
- Marie Curie is the only person to have won Nobel Prizes in two different scientific fields (Physics and Chemistry).
- The Nobel Prize in Economic Sciences was established in 1968 by Sweden's central bank, Riksbanken, in memory of Alfred Nobel.
Sources and attribution
External links may lead to third-party websites.
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FAQ
- When is Nobel Prize Day?
- It is observed on December 10 each year.
- What is Nobel Prize Day?
- Nobel Prize Day, observed annually on December 10th, commemorates the death of Alfred Nobel and the prestigious awards ceremony held in Stockholm, Sweden, and Oslo, Norway. It honors the groundbreaking achievements of individuals and organizations who have made outstanding contributions in physics, chemistry, physiology or medicine, literature, peace, and economic sciences, inspiring humanity to strive for a better world.
- How do people celebrate Nobel Prize Day?
- Read up on this year's laureates across the six Nobel categories, and learn the real story behind Alfred Nobel's will, which is more accurately traced to his friendship with peace activist Bertha von Suttner than to the popular 'merchant of death' obituary legend.
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