Posted on behalf of Roberta Kwok

Pop the champagne, everyone: Today is March 3, 2009 (or 3/3/09), and that means that some math-related partying is in order.

If you’re tempted to suppress your inner geek, just remember that Square Root Day only happens nine times a century. The last one was Feb. 2, 2004, and the next one won’t be until April 4, 2016.

“These days are like calendar comets,” says Ron Gordon, a teacher in Redwood City, California [AP]. “You wait and wait and wait for them, then they brighten up your day – and poof – they’re gone.”

Gordon is giving away a $339 prize to whoever can host the biggest Square Root Day celebration.