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Masaki Kashiwara is the first Japanese mathematician to be awarded Mathematics' greatest award, the Abel Prize, for his

Masaki Kashiwara is the first Japanese mathematician to be awarded Mathematics' greatest award, the Abel Prize, for his work on the theory of symmetry [1]

The Abel Prize is awarded annually by the King of Norway to one or more outstanding mathematicians. It is named after the Norwegian mathematician Niels Henrik Abel (1802–1829) and directly modeled after the Nobel Prizes; as such, it is sometimes considered the Nobel Prize of mathematics. It comes with a medal and a monetary award of 7.5 million Norwegian kroner (NOK, about US$873,000 in 2026; increased from 6 million NOK in 2019).

The Abel Prize's history dates back to 1899, when its establishment was proposed by the Norwegian mathematician Sophus Lie when he learned that Alfred Nobel's plans for annual prizes would not include a prize in mathematics.

Historical Significance

The Abel Prize is awarded annually by the King of Norway to one or more outstanding mathematicians.

Events Before

  1. A magnitude 7.6 earthquake strikes Japan's western coast, killing an estimated 120 people and injuring more than 100

    A magnitude 7.6 earthquake strikes Japan's western coast, killing an estimated 120 people and injuring more than 100

  2. English singer Elton John wins an Emmy Award for the television special "Elton John: Farewell From Dodger Stadium", comp

    English singer Elton John wins an Emmy Award for the television special "Elton John: Farewell From Dodger Stadium", completing his EGOT (winning all four major American entertainment awards)

  3. Denis Villeneuve's science fiction film epic "Dune: Part Two" premieres in Mexico City, starring Timothée Chalamet and a

    Denis Villeneuve's science fiction film epic "Dune: Part Two" premieres in Mexico City, starring Timothée Chalamet and an ensemble cast

  4. LeBron James becomes the first player in NBA history to score 40,000 regular-season points as his LA Lakers slip to a 12

    LeBron James becomes the first player in NBA history to score 40,000 regular-season points as his LA Lakers slip to a 124-114 defeat to Denver Nuggets in Los Angeles

  5. New rule limiting tailpipe pollution aimed at greatly expanding electric vehicles in the US is announced by President Jo

    New rule limiting tailpipe pollution aimed at greatly expanding electric vehicles in the US is announced by President Joe Biden [1]

Events After

  1. 9,500-year-old cremation pyre is discovered in Malawi, believed to be the oldest in the world containing adult remains [

    9,500-year-old cremation pyre is discovered in Malawi, believed to be the oldest in the world containing adult remains [1]

  2. Australian-American actress Nicole Kidman (58) divorces second husband, Australian country music singer-songwriter Keith

    Australian-American actress Nicole Kidman (58) divorces second husband, Australian country music singer-songwriter Keith Urban (58), after 19 years of marriage

  3. 18-year-old Luke Littler claims back-to-back titles with a commanding 7-1 win over Dutchman Gian van Veen in the World D

    18-year-old Luke Littler claims back-to-back titles with a commanding 7-1 win over Dutchman Gian van Veen in the World Darts Championship final in London

  4. Cleveland DE Myles Garrett sets new NFL sack record when he takes down Bengals QB Joe Burrow for his 23rd sack of the se

    Cleveland DE Myles Garrett sets new NFL sack record when he takes down Bengals QB Joe Burrow for his 23rd sack of the season during the Browns' 20-18 win in Cincinnati

  5. Board of the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, tasked with distributing government funding to public television and r

    Board of the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, tasked with distributing government funding to public television and radio broadcasters since 1967, votes to dissolve itself after Congress canceled previously approved funding

More from the 2020s

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Scotland's Peter Wright beats Dutch defending champion Michael Van Gerwen 7-3 with a 102.79 average, 34 x 140s, 11 maxim

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Chicago Bulls forward DeMar DeRozan becomes the first player in NBA history to hit buzzer-beaters on consecutive days; h

Chicago Bulls forward DeMar DeRozan becomes the first player in NBA history to hit buzzer-beaters on consecutive days; he hits 3-pointers to beat the Washington Wizards 120-119 and the previous night the Indiana Pacers 108-106

Frequently Asked Questions

What happened on March 26, 2025?
The Abel Prize is awarded annually by the King of Norway to one or more outstanding mathematicians. It is named after the Norwegian mathematician Niels Henrik Abel (1802–1829) and directly modeled after the Nobel Prizes; as such, it is sometimes considered the Nobel Prize of mathematics. It comes with a medal and a monetary award of 7.5 million Norwegian kroner (NOK, about US$873,000 in 2026; increased from 6 million NOK in 2019).
Why is Masaki Kashiwara is the first Japanese mathematician to be awarded Mathematic... significant?
The Abel Prize is awarded annually by the King of Norway to one or more outstanding mathematicians.

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March 26 in HistoryYear 2025