Metric System Day – April 7, 2027

Expected Metric System Day Deals

As a day of recognition for a scientific standard, Metric System Day doesn’t typically feature consumer deals. Instead, look for educational institutions, scientific supply companies, and advocacy groups to offer resources. Companies like Fisher Scientific and VWR International may highlight metric-compatible equipment. Online learning platforms like Coursera or edX might promote courses on scientific measurement. Advocacy organizations such as the U.S. Metric Association often share educational materials and host webinars. We will update this page with confirmed live resources as April 7 approaches.

History of Metric System Day

The history of the metric system goes all the way back to 1586 when Flemish mathematician Simon Stevin published a leaflet titled ‘De Thiende’ (‘The Tenth’). In the pamphlet, Stevin emphasized the importance of measuring in decimals and predicted that one day, the world would use decimals in standard measurement. Well, Stevin’s prophecies didn’t come true until over two centuries later when Napoleon became the emperor of France and in 1799 inaugurated the metric system. As Napoleon’s European conquest advanced, he also introduced the metric system to his new territories. However, as soon as he was defeated at the Battle of Waterloo in 1815, France and most of Napoleon’s former colonies returned to using their old systems of measurement. In 1837, France returned to the use of the metric system, and in 1840 — some 50 years after its inauguration — the system became compulsory throughout France.

Other countries such as the newly-formed Kingdom of the Netherlands formed in 1815 also adopted the use of the metric system in 1820 as a unified system of measurement. Similarly, the German Empire formed from the old German Confederation in 1871 continued to use the metric system. In the same year, the newly-amalgamated Italy also opted for the metric system in preference to the former systems of measurement. Between 1875 and 1914, other countries like Brazil, Spain, Portugal, Norway, Mexico, Argentina, Peru, Columbia, Sweden, Denmark, Finland, Paraguay, Philippines, and Vietnam also adopted the metric system. In 1866, the U.S. passed a law allowing Americans to use either the metric system or U.S. customary units for commercial purposes. Many years later — precisely in 1897, the United Kingdom also passed a similar law allowing its citizens to choose between the metric system or Imperial units for trade.