annus mirabilis

phrase

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June 17, 2026

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"Annus mirabilis" is a Latin phrase meaning "wonderful year". It refers to a remarkable or notable year.12

The term was notably used by British poet John Dryden in 1667 to describe the year 1666, which saw a significant naval victory against the Dutch and the Great Fire of London.3

In physics, 1905 is often called Albert Einstein's "miracle year" or "annus mirabilis." During this year, he published four groundbreaking papers that revolutionized modern physics, including his theories on the photoelectric effect, Brownian motion, special relativity, and the famous equation E=mc².4

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annus horribilis
…played on the better-known phrase annus mirabilis (Latin for “miraculous year” or “wondrous year”), the use of which in English dates at least to the publication of John Dryden’s epic poem “Annus Mirabilis” in 1667. Dryden’s poem commemorates two victories by the English fleet over the Dutch and the city…
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…played on the better-known phrase annus mirabilis (Latin for “miraculous year” or “wondrous year”), the use of which in English dates at least to the publication of John Dryden’s epic poem “Annus Mirabilis” in 1667. Dryden’s poem commemorates two victories by the English fleet over the Dutch and the city…
Read More