National Sudoku Day

A person sitting at a table, focused and solving a Sudoku puzzle, surrounded by pencils and erasers.. — National sudoku day illustration

Welcome to the world of National Sudoku Day! Get ready to flex those brain cells and sharpen your pencil, because this day is all about the addictive puzzle game that has swept the nation. Whether you're a Sudoku pro or a newbie looking to get in on the excitement, National Sudoku Day is the perfect opportunity to challenge yourself and have some fun!

When is Sudoku Day?

It's national sudoku day on the 9th September.

The Birth of National Sudoku Day

Although the origins of National Sudoku Day are a bit mysterious, one thing is for sure: this popular puzzle game has taken the internet by storm. Sudoku, which means 'single number' in Japanese, was first introduced to the world in the late 1970s by Howard Garns, an American architect and puzzle enthusiast.

It wasn't until the early 2000s that Sudoku gained widespread popularity thanks to the internet. The addictive nature of the game, coupled with its logical and analytical aspects, made it a hit among puzzle lovers of all ages. And thus, National Sudoku Day was born!

How to Celebrate

Celebrating National Sudoku Day is as easy as 1, 2, 3... or should we say 1 to 9? Here are a few fun ways you can join in on the Sudoku festivities:

Challenge Yourself: Grab a pencil and dive into a Sudoku puzzle. Test your skills and see how quickly you can solve it!
Compete with Friends: Organize a Sudoku competition with your friends or loved ones. Who will be crowned the Sudoku champion?
Spread the Love: Share your favorite Sudoku puzzles on social media using the hashtag #NationalSudokuDay. Let's inspire others to join in on the fun!

Did You Know?

Did you know that Sudoku is often used as a therapeutic tool? Many experts believe that playing Sudoku can help improve memory, concentration, and overall mental agility. So next time you're looking to give your brain a workout, reach for a Sudoku puzzle!

History behind the term 'Sudoku'

18th century

Early Number Grids

During the 18th century, a Swiss mathematician named Leonhard Euler devised a mathematical puzzle called Latin Squares. This puzzle involved filling a grid with numbers, ensuring that each number appeared only once in each row and column. This concept laid the foundation for the development of Sudoku.

Late 19th century

Number Place Puzzle

In the late 19th century, French newspapers featured a puzzle called 'Number Place,' which involved filling a 9x9 grid with numbers following specific rules. Though similar to Sudoku, this puzzle had no relation to the modern name. However, it did contribute to the popularity of number-based grid puzzles.

1970s

Introduction of Sudoku

In 1979, an enigmatic puzzle maker named Howard Garns created the modern Sudoku puzzle we recognize today. Originally called 'Number Place,' Garns introduced it to the United States, where it gained some popularity. However, its mainstream success was still years away.

Early 21st century

Global Popularity

Around the early 2000s, Sudoku experienced a surge in popularity thanks to puzzle magazines and newspapers around the world. The puzzle's ability to captivate people's minds with its logical complexity and addictive nature led to its widespread adoption.

2005

Introduction of the Term Sudoku

The name 'Sudoku' was coined in 2005 by Wayne Gould, a retired New Zealand judge who lived in Hong Kong. He began publishing Sudoku puzzles in British newspapers under the name 'Su Doku,' combining the Japanese word 'Sūji wa dokushin ni kagiru' meaning 'the digits must remain single.' The term Sudoku quickly gained popularity and became the standard name used for the puzzle worldwide.