Google doodles

[9A]

Sep 30, 2023

Celebrating the Ain Ghazal Statues


Today's hand-crafted Doodle celebrates the Ain Ghazal statues — roughly 9,000 years old and considered one of the earliest large-scale representations of the human form. On this day in 1983, the statues were discovered in Jordan.

Why did ancient sculptors create these statues? Researchers still don’t have concrete answers. However, it is known that after the statues served its purpose, our prehistoric ancestors strategically buried the sculptures, aligning them east to west.

Archeologists discovered the first cache of underground statues in 1983 and a second group of sculptures in 1985 at ‘Ain Ghazal, a Neolithic site in Jordan.

The Ain Ghazal figures depict men, women, and children with intricate human features such as almond-shaped eyes, prominent noses, and realistic legs, toes, and toenails.

The statues have gained global appeal and can be viewed today at galleries such as the Jordan Museum, Jordan Archaeological Museum, British Museum, and Louvre Abu Dhabi to ponder the mysteries of the past.

[9A]

Jul 27, 2023

Celebrating Ramón López Velarde



Today’s Doodle, illustrated by Mexico-based guest artist Ale De la Torre, celebrates famous Mexican poet Ramón López Velarde. López Velarde is recognized as the father of Modern Mexican poetry and the national poet of Mexico for his French-influenced, postmodern work and style. On this day in 1917, the magazine that Ramón co-founded, Pegaso, ran its very last issue in Mexico.

López Velarde was born on June 15, 1888 in Jerez, Zacatecas. Following in the footsteps of his father, he studied law at the University of San Luis Potosí and started reading modernist poetry while at school. Despite receiving his law degree in 1911, his career was pulled in a different direction. He was invited to write for La Nación, a monthly publication in Mexico City.

In 1915, he began writing more personal poems, mostly about the nostalgia he felt about his hometown. A year later, López Velarde published his first book titled La Sangre Devota [The Pious Blood], which explores the differences between life in the bustling city and the quiet countryside. It was fairly celebrated by the Mexican literary community and opened the door to more poetic opportunities.

His most famous work, Zozobra, was published in 1919. The book is heavily ironic and captures the duality of several aspects of López Velarde’s life. The writing is praised for its unpredictability, unorthodox language, word games, and humorous rhymes. In 1920, after a turning point in Mexico’s government, he started writing for two journals named México Moderno and El Maestro. His most famous work, La suave patria, was part of the latter and cemented him as the country’s national poet.

[9A]

Jan 16, 2023

Karima Mokhtar's 89th Birthday






Today’s Doodle celebrates the 89th birthday of Egyptian actress Karima Mokhtar. The “Mother of Egyptian Cinema” was known for depicting maternal characters with depth and humbleness. She was a prolific entertainer who starred in many films, TV shows, and plays throughout her career.

Karima was born on this day in 1934, in Sahel Selim, Egypt. Although her parents initially disapproved of a career in acting, she decided to pursue her silver-screen dreams. Karima graduated with a bachelor’s degree in theater from the Higher Institute of Dramatic Arts before searching for work in the entertainment industry.

A natural and charismatic performer, Karima successfully auditioned to present on “Baba Sharou,” a children’s radio program. This helped her land her first film role in Thaman El-Horeya [The Price of Freedom]. After starring in Al-Hafeed [The Grandson] as a young mother of seven children, Karima established her ability to depict maternal characters, which she’d soon become famous for.

Karima continued her success with films like Amira Hobi Ana [Amira My Love] and Al-Shaytan Ya'ez [The Devil Preaches]. She then explored other mediums like television and theater. Karima received acclaim for starring as a wife and mother dealing with familial turmoil in the play El-Eyal Kebret [The Kids Have Grown Up]. Later in her career, she took on one of her most famous roles in the popular Egyptian soap opera Yetraba Fi Ezo [May He Grow Up Prosperous]. Karima won Best Actress at the Cairo Arab Media Festival in 2007.

Leaving behind a legacy of strong and sympathetic performances, Karima helped revolutionize the Egyptian film industry and paved the way for future generations of actresses.

[9A]

Sep 20, 2023

Celebrating Matilde Landeta



Today’s Doodle celebrates Mexican filmmaker Matilde Landeta. Known for her realistic depictions of female protagonists, Landeta was one of the first women to work as a director and screenwriter in the Golden Age of Mexican Cinema.

Landeta was born in Mexico City on this day in 1913. She grew up with her grandma in San Luis Potosí. Landeta’s brother, who later became an actor, introduced her to movies at a young age. She dreamt of being a film director, but the Mexican film industry disregarded female talent at the time. In 1933, she got her foot in the door as a script supervisor.

After over a decade of conflicts with the Directors’ Association, Landeta finally convinced them to let her work as an assistant director. She spent three years collaborating with some of the most notable Mexican directors, but it became clear the government-subsidized film industry wouldn’t allow her to direct a film herself. In 1947, Landeta, her brother, and several colleagues founded Tecnicos y Actores Cinematograficos Associados [TACMA]. It was time to yell, "Action!" on her dream to make independent films.

Landeta wrote a screenplay, Tribunal para menores, that she intended to direct, but those in the association selected a male director instead. However, she did win the prestigious Ariel Award for her screenplay. Finally, Landeta directed her first feature, Lola Casanova in 1949.

Thanks to the film’s success, Landeta earned the chance to direct her own screenplay adaptation of La Negra Angustias. It later received acclaim for its feminist perspective and exploration of class and gender tensions. Landeta made one more feature before she had a falling out with the director of the National Cinematographic Bank. They barred her from making movies for six years.

Landeta was a trailblazer who helped put women in front of and behind the Mexican film cameras. In 2004, the Matilde Landeta Cultural Association started to award screenwriters annual scholarships. Her work and ambition continue to inspire directors around the world.

Happy birthday, Matilde Landeta!

[9A]

Aug 25, 2023

Habib Benglia's 128th Birthday




Today’s Doodle celebrates French actor Habib Benglia’s 128th Birthday. Benglia was the first African-born actor to land significant roles in both film and theater.

Benglia was born in Oran, Algeria on this day in 1895. He grew up in Timbuktu before moving to France for school. He hoped to one day be an agricultural engineer but loved theater and regularly attended performances. After a talent scout saw him reciting poetry to friends, he was encouraged to audition for plays and starred in Le Minaret, Aphrodite, and L’Oedipe Roi de Bouhélier.

After being demobilized from the WWI, Benglia continued to pursue acting. In 1923, he was cast as a lead in The Emperor Jones. This made 27-year-old Benglia the first black actor to star in a main role at the national French theater. He then wrote several plays, including Un soir à Bamako [An Evening in Bamako], which later showed on television in 1950.

Benglia starred in lead roles for films like Dainah la Métisse, Sola, and Les Mystères de Paris. Colonial cinema, however, largely stifled Benglia’s attempts to play more versatile characters. Despite prejudice and racism during this time, Benglia performed in over a hundred plays. One of the pioneers of Black theater and film in France, Benglia's legacy remains at center stage for underrepresented performers everywhere.

Happy birthday, Habib Benglia!

[9A]

Sep 29, 2023

Mihály Csíkszentmihályi's 89th Birthday




Today’s Doodle celebrates the 89th birthday of Mihály Csíkszentmihályi, a Hungarian-American psychologist who pioneered the scientific study of happiness and creativity as well as coining the term “flow”: the mental state of completely absorbing oneself in an activity. It’s a state of optimal performance and well-being that is characterized by focus, enjoyment, and fulfillment.

Csíkszentmihályi was born on this day in 1934 in Fiume [then part of Imperial Italy]. His family struggled financially as a result of the economic downturn caused by WWII. Consequently, Csíkszentmihályi dropped out of school to help support his family. The profound suffering that Csíkszentmihályi witnessed during the war inspired him to dedicate his life to understanding the science of happiness. He turned to art, philosophy, and religion as he sought answers. In this exploration, he stumbled upon a lecture by Carl Jung, who spoke of the traumatized psyches of Europeans after World War II, and how their mental states caused them to project the UFO sightings into the sky. This interesting study led him to psychology.

He moved to the U.S. at 22 to study psychology at the University of Chicago. His interest in flow began during his graduate studies, when he observed painters so absorbed in their work they lost track of time and would disregard basic survival cues for food, water, and sleep. Several of his interview subjects described their experiences through the metaphor of a water current, thus the term “flow state” was born. He graduated with a PhD in Positive Developmental Psychology in 1965.

Csíkszentmihályi's book Flow: The Psychology of Optimal Experience was published in 1990 and has since been translated into more than 20 languages. Business leaders, presidents, and sports coaches have praised its scientific insights into the nature of productivity and well-being.

Csíkszentmihályi went on to become a Distinguished Professor of Psychology and Management at Claremont Graduate University. He founded and co-directed the Quality of Life Research Center. He was also a Fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences and earned several prestigious awards, including the Clifton Strengths Prize and the Széchenyi Prize.

Happy 89th birthday, Mihály Csíkszentmihályi!

[9A]

Nov 21, 2022

Virgínia Leone Bicudo's 112th Birthday




Today’s Doodle celebrates Brazilian psychoanalyst Virgínia Leone Bicudo’s 112th birthday and was illustrated by Brazil-based guest artist Bárbara Quintino. As a psychoanalyst who pioneered race studies in Brazil, she made sure Black perspectives were heard in academia.

Bicudo was born on this day in 1910 in São Paulo. Her mother was an Italian immigrant and housemaid, and her father, a Black man, dreamed of becoming a doctor. After Medical schools denied his application on the basis of his skin color, her father decided to invest in his children’s education.

Bicudo inherited her parent’s ambitions and prioritized studying at a young age. In 1930, she graduated from Escola Caetano de Campos. She completed a course in public health education before taking a job as a psychiatric attendant. Bicudo quickly earned a promotion and worked as a supervisor in the Infant Oriented Clinic in São Paulo.

In 1936, Bicudo enrolled in the Free School of Sociology and Politics, Brazil’s first higher education institution that taught social sciences. She was the only woman in the program. During her time at this school, she learned about Sigmund Freud.

She graduated two years later with a bachelor’s degree. Bicudo believed she could use psychoanalysis to better understand racial tensions in Brazil, which had significantly impacted both her and her father’s lives.

Bicudo also pursued graduate studies at the same school. Her dissertation was the first postgraduate work in Brazil that focused on race relations. This earned her an invitation to participate in a UNESCO research project analyzing race in different countries. Her research concluded Brazil was not a racial democracy, which contradicted her advisor’s beliefs, and caused her work to go unpublished.

After returning to Brazil, Bicudo was treated like an imposter in academic circles because she did not have a medical degree. In 1959, she moved to London and studied with some of the most prominent psychoanalysts of the time. She transmitted lectures to Brazil through the BBC to publicize her work.

After returning to Brazil in 1959, Bicudo founded the Institute of Psychoanalysis of the Brasília Society of Psychoanalysis. She also hosted “Our Mental World,” one of Brazil’s most popular radio programs, while writing a column in the newspaper under the same title. Bicudo’s efforts and resilience laid the groundwork for generations of women psychoanalysts to come. You can find her thesis online if you’d like to learn more!

Happy birthday, Virgínia Leone Bicudo!

[9A]

Jan 22, 2023

Lunar New Year 2023 [Multiple]



Today’s Doodle celebrates an important holiday in several Asian cultures, Lunar New Year! After the first new moon of the Lunar calendar each year, communities around the world set up decorations, make festive food and gather with loved ones to usher in the new year.

The traditions of the Lunar New Year festival date back thousands of years to a popular legend. A mythical beast called Nian was known to show up each Lunar New Year’s eve and terrorize people and livestock. Loud noises, the color red and fire scared Nian away, so it became a tradition for families to decorate their doors in red paper, set off fireworks and leave lanterns burning all night.

Today, red remains a key part of Lunar New Year celebrations as people hang red lanterns in the streets and gift money in red envelopes to children and retired seniors. Traditional meals are popular during celebrations and they vary across the world. For example, pineapple tarts and yusheng [a dish with raw fish and a salad] are a staple in Singapore and Malaysia, while communities in Vietnam enjoy bánh chưng [a rice cake made with mung beans, pork, and other ingredients wrapped in bamboo leaves].

This year marks the Year of the Rabbit, which is associated with peace and prosperity. The Doodle artwork is crafted from paper to honor Chinese paper-cutting [Jianzhi], which is a long-time Lunar New Year tradition.

No matter where you’re celebrating, here’s to a wonderful Lunar New Year and 2023!

[9A]

Feb 01, 2022

Lunar New Year 2022 [South Korea]




Today's Doodle welcomes the Year of the Tiger on the first day of the Lunar New Year. Celebrations begin with family gatherings, traditional food, and an air of anticipation for what's to come. Known in South Korea as Seollal, Lunar New Year typically lasts three days [the day before and after the new year]. Centered around charye—paying respect to elders—the new year is a time to remember a shared heritage and look forward to the future.

Numerous traditional regional dishes are prepared to welcome the new year, such as tteokguk [a rice cake soup]. When consumed, tteokguk represents a person’s lunar calendar birthday. Children especially look forward to this dish, and some even have multiple bowls in hopes they will grow more than they would in a single year! As entertainment for Lunar New Year’s gatherings, many families play games like Yutnori [a board game] and Jegichagi [paper toss]; or Yeonnaligi [kite flying]. Popular games like Go-Stop can get noisy, as it's believed that yelling at cards brings good luck!

Although customs vary across South Korea, everyone can agree that the Seollal is about enjoying delicious food, having fun, honoring ancestors, and being with family in hopes of good fortune for the year to come.

Happy Lunar New Year!

[9A]

Feb 12, 2021

Lunar New Year 2021 [Multiple Countries]




Today’s Doodle celebrates the first day of the first month of the lunar calendar—officially starting the Year of the Ox! Lunar New Year, also referred to as Chinese New Year or the Spring Festival, is a time to honor ancestors and look forward to prosperity in the year ahead.

This Lunar New Year marks the official transition out of the Year of the Rat–believed to be one of constant change–and into the Year of the Ox, which is traditionally associated with things moving at a more slow and steady pace. The ox is the second animal of the Chinese zodiac and symbolizes hard work, positivity, and fertile harvest.

Throughout most of Asia and around the world, the lunar new year is warmly welcomed with traditional foods such as yú [fish], nian gao [new year cake], and tang yuan [sweet rice ball]. Also, as depicted in today’s Doodle artwork, Lunar New Year is often celebrated with lively lion dances. The lion symbolizes power and wisdom, and the spirited dance is performed during numerous Chinese and other Asian cultural and religious festivals to bring good luck and fortune.

So take this year by the horns—here’s to this next lunar cycle being as strong as an ox!

[9A]

Oct 20, 2023

Celebrating Papeda




Today’s Doodle celebrates Papeda or Bubur Sagu — a delicious sago porridge that’s a staple in Eastern Indonesia and has gained popularity all over the world.. On this day in 2015, Papeda was publicly declared an Indonesian Intangible Cultural Heritage.

Millions of sago palm trees veil the islands of Indonesia, and each year locals harvest it with the intention of exporting to other countries or for cooking —like making papeda. One sago tree can produce nearly 150 to 300 kilograms of sago starch! The crop provides a balanced range of nutrients, including protein, carbs, calcium, and iron. But it also means a lot more to the communities across Indonesia that it's helped sustain for centuries. Sago is still used in various Papuan and Moluccan rituals and ceremonies, like the Watani Kame [a ceremony marking the end of a person’s death cycle].

So how does one make papeda? After removing the flour-like substance from the trees, combine it with boiling water and stir until it thickens. Sprinkle in some turmeric, basil, lemongrass, salam leaves for extra flavor, and even your favorite fish! Now you have one of Indonesia’s most famous nutritious yet delicious meals!

[9A]

Jun 12, 2023

Celebrating Espeto


A salty, smoky aroma in southern Spain can only mean one thing: It’s espeto season. Today’s Doodle [hand-crafted with clay!] celebrates the flavor of the summer, a popular Spanish dish of skewered sardines that are traditionally roasted over firewood on the beach. On this day in 2006, the city of Malaga inaugurated a statue of the Espetero — a person who makes the sardine skewers — to celebrate the traditional job.

Espeto gets its name from the Spanish word espetar, which means “to skewer." The snack's origins date back to the late 19th century in Málaga, Spain. Hungry fishermen skewered fish and dug pieces of wood in the sand next to a fire for a quick meal. Over time, people experimented by making espeto with sea bream, sea bass, or even squid, but sardines became the most common choice. Insider tip — Espetos are only eaten in months without an “R” in their name and never on a Monday since there are no fish markets on Mondays.

Today, espeto remains a celebrated beachside snack, but the prep work has moved to boats filled with sand and wood fires. Chefs place six sardines on a skewer, season them with salt, and grill them over an open wood fire. Once fully cooked, the golden sardines are drizzled in lemon juice. Sardines are more plump during the summer months, which gives them even more flavor.

Happy eating!

[9A]

Nov 28, 2021

35th Anniversary of Taroko National Park



In the language of Taiwan’s indigenous Truku people, taroko means magnificent or beautiful. Taroko Park—the Truku people’s ancestral home—reflects the grandiosity of its title as one of Taiwan’s nine national parks. Today’s Doodle celebrates this protected park on the 35th anniversary of the day it was established to formally conserve the nation’s natural beauty and biodiversity. The Doodle artwork depicts the Taroko Gorge Waterfalls and the Eternal Spring Shrine.

From the precipitous white marble walls of Taroko Gorge to the active steam vents of Taiwan’s tallest volcano Mount Qixing, Taroko Park serves as an epicenter of scientific research and environmental education. The reserve spans over 350 square miles, ranging across an expansive Pacific shoreline to 140 rugged mountain peaks—27 of which stand among the nation’s 100 tallest mountains! These peaks were formed by the collision of two massive tectonic plates over millions of years, and the Central Mountain Range continues to be elevated by several millimeters annually.

As a gathering place for outdoor adventurists and wildlife enthusiasts alike, Taroko’s widely varied geography creates several climate zones that provide habitats for hundreds of species of flora and fauna. The alpine forests of the park’s higher elevations support tree-dwelling mammals like the Formosan rock macaque, Taiwan’s only indigenous primate. Its lower regions harbor an exceptional collection of plant and animal life, including over 300 butterfly species.

Happy 35th Anniversary, Taroko National Park!

[9A]

Mar 10, 2018

Celebrating the Alishan Forest Railway




Imagine riding a train chugging along through a lush and misty forest. On your journey, you pass orchards of exotic fruits, taro fields, waterfalls, and soaring trees over a thousand years old….

This dream is a reality if you’re on board the Alishan Forest Railway, which makes its way through the Alishan National Forest, situated in the heart of Taiwan. Today’s Doodle celebrates the landmark on what is known as kickoff day for the Alishan "Cherry Blossom Season". Starting today, numerous visitors will take the forest rail up to the mountains to enjoy the beautiful cherry blossoms of Alishan.

The train travels from Chiayi [[a city on the west coast) to Fenchihu [a village high in the mountains], which takes about 2.5 hours. The Alishan Forest Railway is one of the Five Wonders of Alishan, and has even been proposed as a possible World Heritage Site.

Built in 1912, the railway’s original purpose was transporting timber out of the vast forest. Today, it whisks travelers along a scenic journey up to 2216 meters above sea level, traversing narrow zigzagging paths. Unique switchback tracks allow the train to move both forwards and backwards to climb especially steep mountain terrain. Along the route lies Zhaoping Park, one of the best spots for taking in cherry blossoms, particularly now and throughout the springtime season.

[9A]

Dec 14, 2016

105th Anniversary of First Expedition to Reach the South Pole



Today marks the 105th anniversary of Roald Amundsen's expedition to the South Pole. Known as "the last of the Vikings," Amundsen was a lifelong adventurer with a gift for organization and planning. "Victory awaits him who has everything in order," wrote Amundsen, and his South Pole journey was a perfect illustration of that principle.

Amundsen's expedition party consisted of 19 people and nearly 100 Greenland sled dogs. The dogs -- along with the use of skis to cross treacherous terrain -- were key to the team's success. And like their canine companions, the explorers knew that playfulness could help them endure the extreme conditions on the icy frontier. While prepping from Framheim, their base camp in the Bay of Whales, the team maintained a sense of fun. They held guess-the-temperature contests, celebrated birthdays, and told stories. When a subset of the crew made the final trek to the South Pole in December of 1911, their camaraderie and careful preparation helped them win the race to "the bottom of the world."

In honor of that achievement, today's Doodle depicts the crew at the finish line, taking a moment to bask in the glory while the Antarctic wind whips outside their tent.

[9A]

Sep 07, 2022

Louise "Miss Lou" Bennett-Coverley's 103rd Birthday




Today's Doodle, illustrated by Jamaican guest artist Robyn Smith, celebrates Louise “Miss Lou” Bennett-Coverley’s 103rd birthday. The Jamaican poet, folklorist, activist and entertainer empowered the country to take pride in its language and culture. Known by many Jamaicans as “Miss Lou,” Bennett's social commentary and sense of humor made her a popular personality in the country.

Bennett was born on September 7, 1919 in Kingston, Jamaica. She developed a passion for literature and Jamaican folklore in school and began writing poetry. Fascinated by her native language, Bennett wrote in the local dialect. Her first public appearance was her recital of a poem in Jamaican patois at a concert.

Soon, Bennett was given a weekly column in The Gleaner, the island’s newspaper at the time, though they originally rejected Bennett’s poems. The majority of Jamaicans speak patois, but critics denounced it as an inferior and improper language. Her column, which captured the experiences of Jamaicans in their own language, gained support across the country.

In 1942, Bennett published her first book of poetry, Dialect Verses. It earned her a British Council scholarship to attend the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art in London. As the school's first Black student, Bennett worked for the British Broadcasting Commission [BBC] where she hosted the radio program Caribbean Carnival. After completing her degree, she hosted other programs like West Indian Guest Night and acted in theater companies.

Returning to Jamaica in 1956, Bennett worked as a Drama Officer and later Director of the Jamaica Social Welfare Commission. On behalf of the commission, she moved around the country to train village instructors and regional officers with workshops like playmaking, improvisation and mime. She gave lectures on Jamaican folklore in the United States and England. Bennett also hosted radio programs like Laugh with Louise and Miss Lou's Views, and Ring Ding, a beloved Saturday morning children’s TV show airing on Jamaica Broadcasting Commission [JBC].

In 1998, the Jamaican government appointed Bennett as the country’s Cultural Ambassador at Large. She was also inducted into the Order of Merit by Queen Elizabeth II. Bennett was a champion of her country’s language and culture, inspiring Jamaicans to take pride in both.

Happy Birthday, Miss Lou!

[9A]

Aug 31, 2022

Julio Ramón Ribeyro's 93rd Birthday



Today’s Doodle celebrates the 93rd birthday of Peruvian author Julio Ramón Ribeyro. Considered one of the greatest Latin American short-story writers of all time, he provided powerful social criticism through the lens of fantasy.

Ribeyro was born on this day in 1929 in Lima, Peru. He and his three siblings had a middle-class childhood until their father’s untimely death left the family in poverty.

Ribeyro went on to study arts and law at the Pontifical Catholic University of Peru before publishing his first short story, The Grey Life, in Correo Bolivariano magazine in 1948. A few years later, the Institute of Hispanic Culture awarded him a journalism fellowship in Spain.

Ribeyro published his most famous short story The Featherless Buzzards [Los gallinazos sin plumas] in 1955, which critics praised for capturing the harsh reality of life in Peruvian slums. After that, he briefly studied French literature at Sorbonne University before dropping out to work as a hotel doorman and factory worker to sustain his writing.

In 1958, Ribeyro returned to Peru to become a professor at the National University of San Cristobal de Huamanga. Two years later, he finished his first novel Chronicle of San Gabriel. The book, which explores life in an isolated rural Peruvian community, immediately won a national prize.

After the publication of his book, Ribeyro returned to Paris, where he worked as a journalist, translator and an editor at Agence France Presse over the next 10 years.

In 1970, Ribeyro became a Peruvian cultural advisor and later an ambassador to UNESCO. Despite his busy schedule as a diplomat, Ribeyro continued writing. By the end of his career, he had published eight volumes of short stories and several novels, essays and plays. His work has been translated into multiple languages. In 1994, he won the prestigious Juan Rulfo Prize for Literature.

Happy 93rd birthday, Julio Ramón Ribeyro! Your powerful writing continues to change people’s perceptions of the world.

[9A]

Mar 29, 2023

Lasminingrat's 169th Birthday



Today’s handsewn Doodle celebrates the 169th birthday of Sundanese author and scholar Lasminingrat who paved the way for future generations of Indonesian women.

Raden Ayu Lasminingrat was born on this day in 1854 in Garut, Indonesia to Raden Ayu Ria and Raden Haji Muhamad Musa, a pioneer of Sundanese printed literature and scholar. In order to pursue her education in Sumedang, she had to be separated from her family and was left under the care of her father’s friend Levyson Norman. He helped to teach her Dutch and contributed to Lasminingrat becoming the first Indonesian woman to be fluent in writing and reading Dutch during her time. After becoming proficient in writing and speaking Dutch, Lasminigrat dreamed of advancing equality for all Indonesian women.

Lasminingrat used her literacy skills to adapt European fairy tales into Sundanese. Under her father’s guidance she started to educate Indonesian children in 1879. She read adapted books aloud, and taught basic moral education and psychology. Her work provided schooling to native Indonesian children and exposed them to international cultures. She continued to translate books into Sundanese, including Warnasari volumes 1 and 2, which were widely celebrated throughout Indonesia.

In 1907, Lasminingrat founded the Sekolaha Keutamaan Istri. The open environment and learning area promoted women’s empowerment, reading, and writing. The school grew to 200 students and 5 classes, and was recognized by the Dutch East Indies government in 1911. With time, the school continued to grow and by 1934 expanded to other cities such as Wetan Garut, Cikajang, and Bayongbong.

Thank you, Lasminingrat for dedicating your life to empowering Indonesian women and being a pioneer in women's education.

[9A]

May 23, 2022

Maria Konopnicka's 180th Birthday




Maria Konopnicka fought for women’s rights and Polish Independence with her pen. Today’s Doodle celebrates the acclaimed poet, author and activist’s 180th Birthday.

Konopnicka was born on May 23rd, 1842 in Suwalki, Poland. When she was 12, her mother passed away, leaving her strict and patriotic father to raise three little girls. As a self-taught writer that craved innovative ideas, Konopnicka avidly read classic and contemporary literature. She was especially taken by the Polish Positivist writers, and their progressive ideals would later influence her work.

In 1870, she made her debut as a poet and by 1876 her poems were being published in national journals, including her collection “In the Mountains,” which appeared in the well-respected Tygodnik Ilustrowany [Illustrated Weekly]. A positive review by Nobel Prize laureate Henryk Sienkiewicz encouraged Konopnicka to keep writing.

In 1877, Konopnicka moved to Warsaw with her children to be in the thick of Polish literary and intellectual life. She published four controversial, yet acclaimed volumes of poetry focusing on patriotism and providing a voice to the lower class over the next 15 years. Between 1884 and 1887, Konopnicka defied conservative criticism and censors while serving as an editor for the democratic women’s magazine Świt.

Konopnicka never stopped challenging herself and also authored short stories, children’s books and translated French and German poetry into Polish. Her short stories, including "Nasza szkapa" [Our Jade] and "Dym" [Smoke], are considered to be among the best in Polish literature. In 1901, she took a break from her writing to help organize protests against the repressive measures taken by the Prussian government, which forced Polish children to speak in German at school. To celebrate the 25th anniversary of her literary and social work, Konopnicka was offered a house in Zarnowiec as a gift from the Polish nation.

In 1973, the Maria Konopnicka Museum in Suwalki opened to memorialize her accomplishments. Millions of copies of her books have been printed and reprinted throughout Poland.

Happy Birthday, Maria Konopnicka.

[9A]

Jun 29, 2023

Giacomo Leopardi's 225th Birthday

Today’s Doodle celebrates the birthday of Giacomo Leopardi, an Italian poet, philosopher, and scholar. The world regards him as one of the greatest Italian poets of the nineteenth century.

He was born on this day in 1798 in the small provincial town of Recanati. From a young age, he was an avid reader who loved passing time in his father's library. He became fluent in Latin, ancient Greek, and Hebrew during this period, which laid the foundation for him to become a philologist — a scholar who studies the history and development of languages. He went on to translate several Latin and Greek classics.

Leopardi fell in love with ideas from the Enlightenment, a philosophical movement that promoted reason and logic over superstition. He was passionate about his beliefs and went on to become one of the most radical thinkers of his time.

At 14, he wrote Pompeo in Egitto [Pompey in Egypt], a manifesto criticizing one of the most powerful figures in Rome. In the following years, he wrote various philological works and notable poems such as L'appressamento della morte [The Approach of Death], Inno a Nettuno [Hymn to Neptune], and Le rimembranze [Memories].

Leopardi spent the rest of his career creating lyric poetry, including Canti [Songs] and Canzoniere [Songbook]. His writing often explored patriotism, unrequited love, and profound reflections on human existence — making him a precursor to Existentialism. One of his final literary pieces was Operette morali [Small Moral Works], a collection of witty philosophical essays written in an ironic style.

Happy 225th birthday, Giacomo Leopardi!

[9A]

Dec 07, 2020

Kateryna Bilokur's 120th Birthday




Today’s Doodle celebrates the 120th birthday of Ukrainian painter Kateryna Bilokur, a self-taught virtuoso who earned international renown for her detailed and vivid paintings, especially those featuring her signature focus on flowers. Through a courageous devotion to her craft, Bilokur overcame great adversity to earn recognition alongside the master artists of her time.

Kateryna Bilokur was born on this day in 1900 in Bohdanivka, a village in Ukraine’s Kyiv region. She was denied a primary education and spent her days as a farm worker, but she refused to let this stand in her way. She crafted brushes out of raw materials and paints out of foods like beets and elderberries to pursue her artistic passion in her free time, with nature as her muse.

Then when she was nearly 40, her life took a fortuitous turn. Inspired by a song on the radio, Bilokur wrote a letter of admiration to the Ukrainian singer Oksana Petrusenko with an original work attached. Petrusenko was so impressed that she helped pave the way for the first exhibitions of Bilokur’s work. Over the next two decades, her unique depictions of transcendent natural beauty reached an international audience, notably earning huge praise from the Spanish master Pablo Picasso at a 1954 exhibition in Paris.

For her lifetime achievements, Bilokur was named a People’s Artist of Ukraine, the highest arts award for Ukrainian citizens.

Happy birthday to an artist who proved it’s never too late to blossom into your potential.

[9A]

Sep 27, 2023

Google's 25th Birthday!


Today’s Doodle celebrates Google’s 25th year. And while here at Google we’re oriented towards the future, birthdays can also be a time to reflect. Let’s take a walk down memory lane to learn how we were born 25 years ago...

By fate or luck, doctoral students Sergey Brin and Larry Page met in Stanford University’s computer science program in the late ‘90s. They quickly learned they shared a similar vision: make the World Wide Web a more accessible place. The pair worked tirelessly from their dorm rooms to develop a prototype for a better search engine. As they made meaningful progress on the project, they moved the operation to Google’s first office — a rented garage. On September 27, 1998, Google Inc. was officially born.

Much has changed since 1998 — including our logo as seen in today’s Doodle — but the mission has remained the same: to organize the world’s information and make it universally accessible and useful. Billions of people from all over the globe use Google to search, connect, work, play, and SO much more!

Thank you for evolving with us over the past 25 years. We can’t wait to see where the future takes us, together.

[9A]

May 23, 2021

Celebrating the Obelisk of Buenos Aires




The Obelisk of Buenos Aires towers over Argentina as a symbol of national pride. Today’s Doodle, illustrated by Buenos Aires-based guest artists Carolina Silvero and Juan Elizalde of Estudio Guardabosques, celebrates this historic monument, which was inaugurated on this day in 1936 in honor of four centuries since Buenos Aires’ foundation.

Built in just 31 days from blocks of white Córdoba stone, the monument juts into the skyline where the Argentinian flag was first hoisted above Buenos Aires in 1536. Designed by illustrious Argentine architect Alberto Prebisch, each of the four shafts of the Obelisk signifies critical moments of Buenos Aires history: the city’s foundation in 1536 and again in 1580, the first celebration of the Argentinian flag in 1812, and the induction of Buenos Aires as the nation’s capital in 1880.

But the strategic location of the monument carries much more than just historical significance. The Obelisk also stands at the intersection of two of the capital’s iconic streets: Avenida Corrientes and Avenida 9 de Julio. Underneath the landmark, three of the city’s underground metro lines converge, making it a magnetic meet-up spot for the sprawling Argentine megalopolis.

While today’s Doodle artwork scales down the monument, you can enjoy a view of the over 200-foot tall Obelisk from many parts of the Argentine capital.

[9A]

Feb 06, 2021

Celebrating the Vernadsky Research Base




What do magnetometers, snowmobiles, and penguins all have in common? Each can be found in full-swing at the Ukrainian Akademik Vernadsky Research Base, an Antarctic scientific center widely acclaimed for its climate change research studies. Today’s Doodle celebrates this historic station, which officially transferred from British to Ukrainian control on this day in 1996.

Located on the tiny island of Galindez in the Antarctic Circle, the Vernadsky station is the direct successor to the British Faraday base, which was first established as a meteorological observatory in 1947. Today, the Vernadsky station is operated by a rotating staff of a dozen winterers. For about ten months at a time, each winterer endures extreme isolation [[there isn’t a town within 1,000 nautical miles!) and sub-zero temperatures, all in the name of scientific progress. When they aren’t busy preparing for expeditions into the Antarctic wilderness, the base’s personnel work year-round to maintain the station and conduct research on everything from penguin populations to the atmospheric effects of ultraviolet radiation.

Cheers to everyone who keeps their cool at the Vernadsky base, thank you for helping to provide a better understanding of our changing planet!

[9A]

Jun 18, 2022

Ștefania Mărăcineanu's 140th Birthday




Ștefania Mărăcineanu was one of the pioneering women in the discovery and research of radioactivity. Today’s Doodle celebrates the Romanian physicist’s 140th Birthday.

Mărăcineanu graduated with a physical and chemical science degree in 1910, starting her career as a teacher at the Central School for Girls in Bucharest. While there, Mărăcineanu earned a scholarship from the Romanian Ministry of Science. She decided to pursue graduate research at the Radium Institute in Paris.

The Radium Institute was quickly becoming a worldwide center for the study of radioactivity under the direction of physicist Marie Curie. Mărăcineanu began working on her PhD thesis on polonium, an element that Curie discovered.

During her research on the half-life of polonium, Mărăcineanu noticed that the half-life seemed dependent on the type of metal it was placed on. This got her wondering if the alpha rays from the polonium had transferred some atoms of the metal into radioactive isotopes. Her research led to what is most likely the first example of artificial radioactivity.

Mărăcineanu enrolled at Sorbonne University in Paris to finish her PhD in physics, which she earned in just two years! After working for four years at the Astronomical Observatory in Meudon, she returned to Romania and founded her homeland’s first laboratory for the study of Radioactivity.

Mărăcineanu dedicated her time to researching artificial rain, which included a trip to Algeria to test her results. She also studied the link between earthquakes and rainfall, becoming the first to report that there is significant increase of radioactivity in the epicenter leading up to an earthquake.

In 1935, Irène Currie, daughter of Marie Curie, and her husband received a joint Nobel prize for their discovery of artificial radioactivity. Mărăcineanu didn’t contest the Nobel prize, but asked that her role in the discovery be recognized. Mărăcineanu’s work was recognized by the Academy of Sciences of Romania in 1936 where she was elected to serve as a Director of research, but she never received global recognition for the discovery.

The Curie Museum in Paris contains the original chemical laboratory in the Radium Institute, where Mărăcineanu worked. Today’s Doodle honors Ștefania Mărăcineanu’s 140th birthday and pays tribute to her legacy.

[9A]

Jan 26, 2006

Mozart's 250th Birthday



Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart [27 January 1756 – 5 December 1791] was a prolific and influential composer of the Classical period. Despite his short life, his rapid pace of composition resulted in more than 800 works of virtually every Western classical genre of his time. Many of these compositions are acknowledged as pinnacles of the symphonic, concertante, chamber, operatic, and choral repertoire. Mozart is widely regarded as among the greatest composers in the history of Western music, with his music admired for its "melodic beauty, its formal elegance and its richness of harmony and texture".

[9A]

Sep 20, 2023

Celebrating Matilde Landeta




Today’s Doodle celebrates Mexican filmmaker Matilde Landeta. Known for her realistic depictions of female protagonists, Landeta was one of the first women to work as a director and screenwriter in the Golden Age of Mexican Cinema.

Landeta was born in Mexico City on this day in 1913. She grew up with her grandma in San Luis Potosí. Landeta’s brother, who later became an actor, introduced her to movies at a young age. She dreamt of being a film director, but the Mexican film industry disregarded female talent at the time. In 1933, she got her foot in the door as a script supervisor.

After over a decade of conflicts with the Directors’ Association, Landeta finally convinced them to let her work as an assistant director. She spent three years collaborating with some of the most notable Mexican directors, but it became clear the government-subsidized film industry wouldn’t allow her to direct a film herself. In 1947, Landeta, her brother, and several colleagues founded Tecnicos y Actores Cinematograficos Associados [TACMA]. It was time to yell, "Action!" on her dream to make independent films.

Landeta wrote a screenplay, Tribunal para menores, that she intended to direct, but those in the association selected a male director instead. However, she did win the prestigious Ariel Award for her screenplay. Finally, Landeta directed her first feature, Lola Casanova in 1949.

Thanks to the film’s success, Landeta earned the chance to direct her own screenplay adaptation of La Negra Angustias. It later received acclaim for its feminist perspective and exploration of class and gender tensions. Landeta made one more feature before she had a falling out with the director of the National Cinematographic Bank. They barred her from making movies for six years.

Landeta was a trailblazer who helped put women in front of and behind the Mexican film cameras. In 2004, the Matilde Landeta Cultural Association started to award screenwriters annual scholarships. Her work and ambition continue to inspire directors around the world.

Happy birthday, Matilde Landeta!

[9A]

May 17, 2023

Renate Krößner's 78th Birthday




Today’s Doodle celebrates the 78th birthday of German actress Renate Krößner. She rose to international fame after her role as the titular character in Solo Sunny – a groundbreaking film from East Germany that resonated with people everywhere.

Krößner was born on this day in Osterode, Germany in 1945. She grew up in Berlin and performed in school theater productions. After studying acting at the Staatliche Schauspielschule Berlin, Krößner worked in East Germany theaters. While she performed smaller roles in a few television programs, Krößner was on her way to becoming a star.

In 1980, she was cast as the lead actress in Solo Sunny, an East Germany film about a band’s singer who longs to be a solo artist. Krößner’s performance as the rebellious and angst-ridden Sonny received critical acclaim around the world. She earned the Berlin International Film Festival’s Silver Bear for Best Actress—the first for an East Germany production. Her character’s attitude and fashion sense also widely influenced German youth.

After receiving permission to leave East Germany in 1985 she moved to West Berlin, Krößner became a mainstay on television shows like Stubbe - Von Fall zu Fall and Einmal Bulle. Her role as the love interest of a Franciscan monk in the show Bruder Esel earned her a Golden Lion award. She also starred in more films, including the thriller Unbesiegbar and the comedy Alles auf Zucker.

In 1991, Krößner was a jury member at the 41st Berlin International Film Festival. She later won a Deutscher Filmpreis Best Actress award for her work in Nordkurve. Krößner continued acting into the 2000s, later moving to Brandenburg, Germany.

Happy Birthday Renate Krößner, your iconic performances are immortalised on the silver screen, and are just as captivating today.

[9A]

Apr 30, 2023

Celebrating Alan Rickman


Today’s animated Doodle celebrates English actor Alan Rickman, who is widely known for his magical performances intheater and film.

Alan Rickman was born on February 21, 1946 in West London, England. A natural painter, Rickman became interested in different art forms after being encouraged by his teachers and family. He was especially taken with acting. After starring in school plays, he earned a scholarship to continue pursuing this interest at Latymer Upper School in London.

After secondary school, Rickman studied graphic design at Chelsea College of Art and Design and the Royal College of Art. After graduating, he started a design company with close college friends while participating in the amateur Group Court Drama Club. At age 26, Rickman left his company and decided to seriously pursue acting, earning a spot at RADA, one of the most prestigious acting schools in the world.

A few years later, he joined the Royal Shakespeare Company, where he appeared in The Tempest and Love’s Labour’s Lost. He struck gold in 1985 when he starred as anti-hero Le Vicomte de Valmont in the play Les Liaisons Dangereuses [Dangerous Liaisons]. After earning a Tony nomination for his performance, he began receiving offers to act in films.
In 1988, Rickman starred as criminal mastermind Hans Gruber in the film Die Hard. The character is now considered one of the most iconic villains in cinematic history. The film’s success led to Rickman playing similar antagonist roles in films like Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves. His career trajectory continued throughout the 1990s with roles in Sense and Sensibility [1995] and Rasputin: Dark Servant of Destiny [1996], the latter of which he received an Emmy and Golden Globe Award for.

In 2001, Rickman starred in Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone as the scene-stealing Severus Snape. His intimidating, scary, and captivating performance saw him star in the following seven Harry Potter films, becoming an international sensation.
Over the course of his career, Rickman received numerous acting nominations and awards and even directed three plays and two films. He’s remembered for his iconic roles on-screen, his philanthropy, and his kind and sensitive nature off-screen.

[9A]

Nov 27, 2022

Ronit Elkabetz's 58th Birthday




Today’s Doodle celebrates what would have been Ronit Elkabetz’s 58th birthday, and was illustrated by Israeli guest artist Maya Shleifer. One of the most acclaimed actresses of her time, the Mizrahi star is considered an icon across Israel and France for her work on both sides of the camera.

Elkabetz was born on this day in Beersheba, Israel, in 1964. She grew up speaking Hebrew, Arabic, and French thanks to her Moroccan roots. With piercing good looks and poise beyond her years, 17-year-old Elkabetz began her career as a fashion model in Tel Aviv.

In 1990, Elkabetz auditioned for what she believed was a commercial—it was actually for the film, The Appointed. Despite having no acting training or experience, Elkabetz won the lead role that set her film career into motion. Next, she starred in Sh'Chur as the older sister in a family caught up in superstitions, for which she won her first Ophir Award [the Israeli Oscars].

In 1997, she moved to Paris to study acting at Theatre du Soleil and supported herself by working as a waitress. After completing her training, she starred in the French film Origine contrôlée. Months later, she earned her second Israeli Ophir Award for Late Marriage. Elkabetz's ability to capture emotionally rich characters made her an in-demand actress in both Israeli and French cinema.

After starring in Or, which won the Camera d’Or at the 2004 Cannes Film Festival, Elkabetz became interested in other parts of the filmmaking process. In that year she worked on her debut film as a director and screenwriter, To Take a Wife, which would become the first of a film trilogy she created with her brother, director and actor Shlomi Elkabetz. The Elkabetz trilogy, an Israeli-French co-production, also includes the films Shiva and Golden Globe nominated Gett: The Trial of Viviane Amsalem. It had a tremendous impact on Israeli society and culture, featuring the first authentic portrayal of a Mizrahi family in Israeli cinema and promoting the plight of Jewish women denied a divorce in the rabbinical court system in Israel.

Elkabetz was nominated for thirteen Ophir Awards over the course of her career. She was also awarded the French Legion of Honor for her work. Leaving behind a groundbreaking legacy of strong female leads, Elkabetz conquered complex roles and multiple art forms while popularizing Israeli cinema.

Happy birthday, Ronit Elkabetz!

[9A]

Nov 01, 2022

Celebrating Hulusi Kentmen




Today’s Doodle celebrates Turkish actor Hulusi Kentmen. He was one of the most beloved and prolific performers during the “Yesilcam” period of Turkish cinema.

Kentmen was born on January 20, 1912 in Veliko Tărnovo, Bulgaria, but grew up in Turkey near the Gulf of Izmit. He took an interest in acting at Akcakoca Primary school’s theater. While serving in the navy, Kentmen regularly performed in plays at community theaters, where he caught the eye of Burhanettin Tepsi, a renowned theater director.

Kentmen started his career in the cinema industry in the 1940s but continued to take the stage in theater productions from time to time. He’s best remembered by the father figures he regularly played who had tough exteriors and a good heart. After appearing in nearly 500 films over 40 years, Kentmen became known as the “father” of Yesilcam movies.

Today, in Turkey, the phrase “like Hulusi Kentmen” is widely used to describe a firm but loving person.

[9A]

Nov 02, 2022

Chen Jin's 115th Birthday




Today’s Doodle celebrates the birthday of Chen Jin, also written as Chen Chin, one of the first female painters to earn recognition in Taiwan. With delicate brush strokes and radiant colors, she painted the way for generations of female artists to come.

Chen Jin was born on this day in 1907 in Hsinchu county. She painted for the first time in high school, instantly falling in love with the art form. Her art teacher encouraged her to pursue art and suggested to her father that she continue her education in Japan. This was an unconventional path at the time, considering most of Taiwan’s artists were men.

At 18, Chen Jin boarded a ship that set sail for Japan. She had earned a spot at Tokyo Women’s Academy of Fine Arts, making her the first Taiwanese woman to study art abroad. After studying under prestigious Japanese artists, Chen Jin was selected to the Taiwan Fine Arts Exhibition. She was one of three Taiwanese artists out of 92 participants. The exhibition gave Chen Jin the opportunity to showcase her work to a wider audience as she became an acclaimed artist across Taiwan and Japan.

Chen Jin’s preferred method of painting was gouache, an opaque watercolor. She continued to hone her craft with figure paintings that depicted the daily lives of upper-class Taiwanese women. In 1934, Tokyo’s Imperial Fine Arts Academy Exhibition accepted Chen Jin’s piece, “Ensemble,” making her the first Taiwanese woman to earn a selection. The iconic painting features two Taiwanese women playing a yueqin [Chinese banjo] and dizi [bamboo flute].

Chen Jin returned home that year and became Taiwan’s first female secondary school teacher at Pingtung Girls High School. She served as a juror for the Taiwan Fine Arts Exhibition while creating pieces like “Infant” and “Familial Portrait” in her free time. In 1958, Chen Jin held her first solo exhibition that showcased 62 of her paintings at Chung-Shan Hall in Taipei.

Chen Jin’s paintings are on display in the Taipei Fine Arts Museum’s permanent collection. In 2003, the National Museum of History showcased “The Beauty of Chen Jin's Ladies," which included 32 of Chen Jin’s paintings from 1932 through 1998.

Happy 115th birthday, Chen Jin!

[9A]

May 28, 2022

Chiquito de la Calzada's 90th Birthday




Today’s Doodle by guest artist José Antonio Roda Martínez celebrates Chiquito de la Calzada, a Spanish singer, actor, and stand-up comedian who left a lasting cultural impact in Spain. Born as Gregorio Esteban Sánchez Fernández on this day in 1932, Chiquito’s brilliant comedic style has widely influenced Spanish comedians and entertainers to this day.

As children, Fernández and his two brothers grew up in poverty in post-Civil War Spain in La Calzada de la Trinidad. He began singing and dancing flamenco at eight years old to help feed his family. During this time he received his stage name, Chiquito de la Calzada.

Fernández spent most of his adult life performing flamenco throughout Spain and abroad. After spending 54 years in the flamenco industry, his life took an unexpected turn when he crossed paths with a television producer named Tomás Summers at a restaurant.

After overhearing Fernández tell jokes at a nearby table, Summers offered him a part in an upcoming comedy show airing on Antena 3, a major Spanish television station. The new show was called Genio y figura, and the production team thought Summers was making a mistake by casting an unknown 62-year-old man. Summers took a chance on Fernández anyway and he was sure glad he did.

Soon after the show aired, Fernández transformed into an instant star. Spaniards from all walks of life found his comedic timing, clever puns, and exaggerated movements irresistibly funny. Over the next two decades, Fernández developed an original comedic style that continues to influence Spanish comedians and TV characters today.

In 2019, the Ministry of Culture of Spain recognized his cultural impact by awarding him a Medalla de Oro al mérito en las Bellas Artes [Gold Medal of Merit in Fine Arts].

Happy birthday, Chiquito de la Calzada!

[9A]

Aug 16, 2022

Kimiko Tsumura's 120th Birthday


Noh is a sophisticated and mysterious artform of traditional Japanese theater where performers act, dance, chant and play instruments while dressed in elegant masks and elaborate costumes. Today’s Doodle celebrates the life and 120th birthday of Tsumura Kimiko, a Japanese actor and playwright who was one of the first female figures in the world of Noh. She broke down barriers in the once male-dominated artform and introduced new artistic values through her plays.

Tsumura was born in Akashi, Japan on this day in 1902. At a young age, Tsumura chose to pursue traditional theater after falling in love with playwriting. This was going to be a challenge since girls in Tokyo in the early 1900s were taught lessons in Noh but were excluded from professional productions.

When she was seventeen, Tsumura’s life took a drastic turn when she became a student of Kanze Kasetsu, an established actor. During her studies, Tsumura learned and memorized all two hundred classical Noh plays by heart. She was then given the opportunity to travel to Busan, Korea and teach, eventually building her reputation as a skilled instructor. At nineteen, she made her first public performance on stage.

News of this performance reached her homeland and shocked the Nohgaku Association, which mediated and oversaw all Noh performances in Japan. Tsumura was ordered not to contact the association, and her teacher-student relationship with Kasetsu ended abruptly.

Unable to give up on her dream, Tsumura sought to master every aspect of the artform and opened up her own school, Ryokusen-Kai, when she returned to Japan in 1925. For the next fifty years, she wrote and performed several of her own plays, traveling back and forth between Japan and Korea. Many of her students became esteemed performers and continued her legacy of love and admiration for the artform. Tsumura paved the way for generations of female Noh actors to come, and her work is still celebrated and recognized today.

Happy birthday, Tsumura Kimiko!

[9A]

Jan 26, 2022

Soad Hosny's 79th Birthday




Today’s Doodle celebrates the 79th birthday of Egyptian actress, singer, and dancer Soad Hosny. Known as a highly versatile performer who became an icon of women’s empowerment, Hosny is remembered as one of Egypt’s most influential actresses.

Soad Muhammad Kamal Hosny was born to a large, artistic family in Cairo, Egypt on this day in 1943. Her career in show business began at just three years old as a singer for “Papa Sharo,” a popular Egyptian children’s radio program. She performed her first starring role at 17 in the 1959 Arabic adaptation of Romeo and Juliet, “Hassan and Naima,” a breakout role that marked the start of a prolific on-screen career spanning more than 80 comedies, musicals, dramas, and romance films alongside some of Egypt’s top entertainers.


Dubbed the “Egyptian Cinderella,” Hosny helped redefine 1960s popular culture in Egypt by juxtaposing refined glamor and rebellious independence. Hosny's work is said to have been intertwined with many social and political moments in modern Middle Eastern history and has long been recognized for making specific efforts to address gender equality. Her acting, singing, and dancing transcended genre barriers as she delivered nuanced performances in roles ranging from ingenue to bold revolutionary in some of Egypt’s most iconic films over more than three decades.

Today, the young and daring characters that Hosny portrayed in films remain a source of inspiration for some of Egypt’s contemporary young feminist activists.

Here’s to a star that keeps on shining— Soad Hosny!

[9A]

Oct 24, 2022

Celebrating Slim Dusty




Slim Dusty was an Australian singer and songwriter who recorded over 100 albums and sold over seven million copies during a career spanning nearly seven decades. Today’s Doodle celebrates the Australian icon being awarded the Outstanding Achievement award at the ARIA music awards in 2000.

Born David Kirkpatrick in Kempsey, New South Wales, and raised on his family farm in nearby Nulla Nulla Creek, as a little boy he dreamed of being a country singer. At the age of 10, he wrote his very first song, “The Way the Cowboy Dies”, and at 11, decided his future name was to be “Slim Dusty”, much better suited to a singing cowboy.

At age 15, Slim made his first recording, paying for it himself. By sending his records to radio, and singing where he could get a hearing, he eventually signed a recording contract with Columbia Graphophone Records where he remained for the rest of his career.

He left the farm to follow music as a full-time career in 1949, performing at venues, rodeos, local concerts and eventually, in 1954, taking the big step of setting out with his small family and at times other fellow singers to tour the Australian countryside over roads good and bad. This took him to every State and Territory in Australia on what eventually became his famous Round Australia tours covering by car and caravans at least 30,000 road miles across 10 months of the year. He continued writing, collecting and recording the songs that became known as Bush Ballads, musical histories of the people and places in the Australian bush, little towns and the outback of Australia.

In 1957, he released his recording of “A Pub with No Beer”, written by his mate, Gordon Parsons. It became the best-selling song recorded by an Australian, and Slim was awarded the first Gold Record presented in Australia.

In 1983, astronauts in the spaceship Columbia beamed Slim’s voice singing “Waltzing Matilda” to earth as they passed over Australia. Slim was the first singer to have his voice sent to earth from space. He performed the same song as the closing act of the Sydney Olympic Games in 2000.

Slim Dusty won multiple Gold and Platinum record awards and 38 Golden Guitars. Amongst numerous awards, including being voted A National Treasure by the Australian public, Slim was one of the first inductions into the Australian Recording Industry Association [ARIA] Hall of Fame. In tribute to Slim, The Royal Australian Mint issued a coin celebrating his life, and the Slim Dusty Centre and Museum in his hometown of Kempsey opened in 2015.

[9A]

Jan 25, 2023

Adelaide Cabete's 156th Birthday



Today’s Doodle celebrates the 156th birthday of Adelaide Cabete, a Portuguese feminist, humanitarian, physician, and activist who tirelessly fought for women’s rights and equality in the 20th century. She was also the founder and president of the Conselho Nacional das Mulheres Portuguesas [The National Council of Portuguese Women].

Cabete was born on January 25, 1867 near Elvas, Portugal. As a child, she worked as a housemaid to help her family survive. Although she didn't have time to go to school, she still learned how to read and write on her own. When she was 23, she finished her high school diploma with distinction. She then studied medicine at the Medical-Surgical School in Lisbon and earned her degree at age 33, becoming only the third Portuguese woman to do so! Her thesis promoted the protection of pregnant women and advocated for maternity leave in Portugal.

She founded the Republican League of Portuguese Women in 1909 and the National Council of Portuguese Women [CNMP] in 1914, two institutions that supported disadvantaged women and children and advocated for women’s emancipation. Cabete also educated other women about childcare and feminine hygiene, and outwardly encouraged the opening of maternity hospitals.

She was the lead editor of the CNMP’s bulletin, Alma feminina, and wrote several articles about social and medical equality for women. She helped organize the first two feminist congresses in Portugal in 1924 and 1928, which promoted political, civil, educational, and economic rights for women.

Throughout her life, she actively fought for women’s suffrage and laid the groundwork for future feminist movements. Cabete is undoubtedly one of the most important figures in Portuguese society, remembered for her fearless leadership.

[9A]

Jun 03, 2022

Celebrating Rosane Kaingang



Today’s Doodle celebrates the unshakeable spirit of Rosane Mattos Kaingang, an Indigenous Brazilian activist who worked tirelessly to fight for Native rights. She brought representation to the Indigenous community and played a critical role in helping the Council of Human Rights [CNDH] investigate rights violations against Native Brazilians. On this day in 1992, at the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development hosted in Rio de Janeiro [or Rio 92 Conference], she began her life of service to the indigenous movement.

Kaingang was a descendant of the Kaingang people, an Indigenous ethnic group primarily from the southern states of Paraná, Santa Catarina and Rio Grande do Sul. Her indigenous name, Kokoj, means “hummingbird,” and was given to her during a ceremony in honor of her great-grandmother, who died at 120 years old! Just like her name, everything she later worked for was strongly rooted in her community and heritage.

She spent her adult life fighting for the recognition of rightful territories, sustainable community development and access to quality education and medical services. Kaingang was also instrumental in bringing awareness to the struggles of Indigenous women. As one of the founders of the National Council of Indigenous Women of Brazil [[CONAMI), she helped create a structure for Indigenous women to organize and protest as a larger body. These protests urged for broader access to resources and Indigenous labor rights.

Kaingang also represented several other social reform groups, most notably the Articulation of Indigenous Peoples of Brazil [APIB], the Articulation of Indigenous Peoples of the South [ARPINSUL] and the National Indian Foundation [FUNAI]. She participated in dozens of meetings, seminars, hearings and mobilization efforts that advocated for a more equitable future for Native Brazilians.

Kaingang is remembered for her dedication and love for the Indigenous community — a true warrior who never stayed silent in the face of injustice and adversity.

[9A]

May 13, 2022

Elena Caragiani-Stoenescu's 135th Birthday



Elena Caragiani-Stoenescu was a high-flying reporter, war correspondent and the first licensed woman aviator in Romania. Today’s Google Doodle, illustrated by Cluj-Napoca, Romania-based guest artist Dariana Ilie, celebrates this aviator’s 135th Birthday

Caragiani-Stoenescu was born on May 13th, 1887 in Tecuci, Romania. At the age of 25, she flew for the first time in a plane piloted by her former horse-riding instructor. Later that year, she enrolled in the League of Aviation, a Romanian flying school. As the only female student in the school, her civil pilot license was rejected by the Ministries of Education and Civil Defense despite her completion of all courses.

Undeterred, Caragiani-Stoenescu joined the Civil Aviation School in France. At the age of 27 she received her pilot license, the 12th international license granted to a woman and the first for a Romanian woman. Romania didn’t allow her to participate in airshows, so Caragiani-Stoenescu became a reporter for a French daily newspaper, flying for long-distance trips to the Caribbean and South America. She also worked as a war correspondent for the Press Trust of Mexico.

After Romania’s entry into World War I, she requested to participate as a pilot, but was again denied. Caragiani-Stoenescu worked as a Red Cross nurse in Bucharest, Romania for the duration of the war. She later established a health clinic in Tecuci and worked as a journalist around the world focusing on airline events.

Today, a high school in Caragiani-Stoenescu’s birthplace bears her name and she is commonly studied in Romanian aviation courses. Happy 135th Birthday Elena Caragiani-Stoenescu! Your determination and legacy have inspired women to soar to new heights.

[9A]

Mar 15, 2023

Celebrating Filipino Adobo



Every bite is tender, juicy, and soulful. Today’s animated Doodle celebrates adobo, a way of cooking and a favorite Filipino dish! Adobo can be found far and wide, whether it’s at a five-star restaurant in Manila or inside the homes of Filipino families around the world. The word ‘adobo’ was first added to the Oxford English Dictionary [OED] in December 2006, and was included on the word list of the next OED quarterly update, released on this day in 2007.

There are many different kinds of adobo in the Philippines but they all share the same basic elements: marinated meat or vegetables braised into a stew. Common ingredients include vinegar, soy sauce, garlic, bay leaves, and black pepper. The local flavors make Filipino adobo much sweeter, sourer, and saltier in taste compared to other versions.

Several areas within the Philippines give their adobo a regional twist. Locals in Visayas enjoy adobong puti [white adobo], considered by some to be the original indigenous style, which exclusively uses vinegar without any soy sauce. In places like Southern Luzon, where coconut milk is a food staple, creamier adobo recipes like adobong manok sa gata [chicken adobo with coconut milk] are extremely popular. Others substitute meat with seafood like squid, or locally available vegetables like kangkong [water spinach] or sitaw [string beans].

After evolving throughout the centuries, this iconic dish is now enjoyed worldwide. It’s a symbol and expression of Filipino pride that varies from region to region, family to family, palate to palate. The history is rich, the taste is unmatched, and the aromas are enticing – the children in today’s artwork would definitely agree! Wherever and however it’s served, adobo leaves stomachs happy and mouths watering for more.

[9A]

Oct 29, 2022

Celebrating Tempeh


Today’s Doodle celebrates Tempeh and is illustrated by guest artist Reza Dwi Setyawan who is based in Semarang, Central Java, Indonesia. This nutritious plant-based protein is a 400-year-old fermented food originated in Indonesia and is typically made of soybeans, but it can be made of many other beans, grains, and legumes by the same fermentation process. The Doodle features Tempeh Mendoan, one of the fried Tempeh varieties in Indonesia which is an iconic part of Indonesian cuisine and was declared as an Intangible Cultural Heritage on this day in 2021.

Tempeh was first documented in the 1600s in Tembayat Village, Klaten, Central Java, Indonesia and was recorded on Serat Centhini, a twelve volume compilation of Javanese tales and teachings, written in verse and published in 1814.

People all over the world typically consume tempeh as a meat replacement, combined with rice and vegetables. It offers a variety of health benefits, like improved gut and brain health. Rich in nutrients such as protein, fiber, prebiotics, and vitamin B12, this food made of minimally processed soybeans is a popular choice for most people in Indonesia and emerging among health-enthusiasts around the world. Various leaves can be used to wrap tempeh during fermentation. Waru, teak, and guava leaves are some of the oldest known, while banana leaf is the most popular one in Indonesia.

There are many ways to consume Tempeh, but due to its great taste, 'tempe goreng' or fried tempeh has been the most popular tempeh dish. Fried tempeh is usually combined with various types of sambal [ground and seasoned chili pepper dipping] and kecap manis [sweet soy sauce made of fermented soybean].

Tempted to try tempeh? Go ahead, give it a little taste.

[9A]

Jan 26, 2024

India Republic Day 2024


This India Republic Day Doodle 2023 Doodle features a Republic Day parade as it would have been seen on various screens over the decades.

The Indian flag can be seen waving across the country today. The Republic Day Parade in the capital city of New Delhi and is a highly-anticipated annual event, featuring grand floats, marching bands, and regiments of India’s armed forces. The parade covers the three-kilometer road known as Kartavya Path stretching from Rashtrapati Bhawan to India Gate. The nation also honors its brave soldiers with wreath-laying ceremonies at memorials such as the Amar Jawan Jyoti.

The closure of Republic Day celebrations is marked by the symbolic lowering of the Indian flag during the Beating Retreat, a musical ceremony featuring bands from across the Indian Armed Forces.

Happy Republic Day, India!

[9A]

Dec 07, 2023

Celebrating Pinisi



This Doodle celebrates pinisi — a traditional Indonesian sailing rig used on ships dating back many centuries.

Pinisi a sailing rig that originated in South Sulawesi. The word pinisi traditionally refers to a type of gaff-ketch rigging in Indonesian sailboats. Today, it’s typically used to describe most wooden Sulawesi ships. They’re distinct with r sails that spread across two masts and a bowsprit.

[9A]

Mar 03, 2023

Hinamatsuri 2023


Today’s Doodle honors Hinamatsuri [雛祭り] also known as girls’ day or the doll festival, in Japan. Each year, Japanese communities celebrate the health and happiness of young girls by dedicating and displaying ornate dolls.

The holiday is one of Japan’s five sekku [seasonal festivals] and dates back over a thousand years to the Edo Period [1603-1868]. Due to an ancient Japanese belief that dolls ward off bad luck, families began to set out simple paper dolls called hitogata to protect and honor their daughters. Over time, the dolls became more intricately crafted.

Today, families display ornate dolls on a red-carpeted, tiered platform called a hinadan. Dolls are crafted throughout Japan, including popular spots like the city of Saitama, where over 50 stores sell different kinds of dolls. The types of dolls vary from figurines wearing traditional kimonos of the Heian Period [794-1185] to smaller handmade dolls hanging as decorations. Other common celebrations include festive food like sweet vibrant rice crackers called hina arare and a yogurt-like beverage known as amazake.

Happy Hinamatsuri, Japan!

[9A]

Apr 27, 2023

King's Day 2023


Today's Doodle celebrates King's Day, a Dutch holiday that honors the Netherlands’s rich cultural heritage.

Cafes remain open throughout the night the evening before, as crowds gather in the streets to take part in Koningsnacht [King’s Night] festivities.

Once day breaks, the scent of Dutch treats like special orange tompouce pastries [like the ones in today’s Doodle artwork!] fill the air.

King’s Day may sound like one big Dutch party. But the holiday is ultimately about honoring joy and community. Friends and families reconnect as they attend street parties, listen to live music, and peruse giant flea markets called vrijmarkt throughout the day.

Although festivities take place across the country, the most popular ones occur in Amsterdam — where orange boats float through the city’s famous waterways, causing historical canals to burst into color.

Happy King’s Day to the Dutch!

[9A]

Feb 05, 2023

Lantern Festival 2023




Today’s Doodle celebrates the Lantern Festival, also known as the Yuan Xiao or the Shang Yuan Festival. It’s observed by many across the globe. Each year on the 15th of the first lunar month, which signals the end of the lunar new year celebrations, people throughout Asia light ornate lanterns and hang them in the night sky for good fortune.

Lantern Festival celebrations began over 2,000 years ago in the Han Dynasty. Several myths explore the origins of this holiday, and the most famous one tells the story of the Jade Emperor. Legend has it that a villager accidentally hunted down his favorite, prized crane. Seething in anger, the emperor wanted to burn down the village in retaliation. Right before he ordered his army to begin the raid, his sympathetic daughter warned the villagers and encouraged them to create an illusion of destruction. The villagers hung red lanterns in front of the houses and released many lanterns into the sky to imitate fire. Thinking the village was already ruined, the emperor called off the attack.

The colorful lanterns, usually red, symbolize departure of the old and arrival of the new. People often write wishes on the lanterns in hopes of having them granted in the new year. Some lanterns even contain riddles — and children who solve them can receive a special gift. Several lion and dragon dances are held during the festivities, where dancers dressed in costume perform acrobatic tricks and martial arts-inspired stunts. Festival goers can also help themselves to a popular delicacy called tang yuan, steamed or boiled rice balls stuffed with sweet fillings.

Happy Lantern Festival!

[9A]

Feb 01, 2024

Celebrating James Baldwin



In honor of U.S. Black History Month, today's Doodle celebrates civil rights activist and writer, James Baldwin and was illustrated by New York City-based guest artist Jon Key. With his pen, Baldwin wrote honestly about personal and societal struggles of his time including race, class, and sexuality.

Baldwin was born on August 2, 1924 in New York City. He grew up in Harlem and helped raise his eight siblings. As a young teenager, he followed his step-father’s influence and became a junior minister at a church in Harlem. He also got involved in his high school’s magazine where he began publishing poems, short stories and plays. His time working on the magazine honed his literary skills and solidified his passion for writing.

In his late teens and early 20s, he took on odd jobs to support his family and, in parallel, set a goal to write a novel. In 1944, Baldwin’s promise as a writer earned him a fellowship, but he found himself struggling to write his first novel which ended up taking 12 years to produce. This novel, Go Tell It on the Mountain, is a semi-autobiographical story which is now considered one of the best English-language novels of the 20th century.

At age 24, Baldwin made the decision to move to Paris for another fellowship. Distance from New York allowed him to write more freely about his personal experience. He wrote essays such as Notes of a Native Son, Nobody Knows My Name, and The Fire Next Time. His depictions of Black masculinity in America were as poetic as they were groundbreaking , and they resonated far beyond Black communities. He released his second novel, Giovanni's Room, in 1956. The novel was one of the first to bring in-depth characterizations of homosexuality to mainstream culture, well before the gay liberation movement had gained steam.

In the following years, Baldwin continued to write essays and novels that addressed racial tensions in America head-on. In 1974, he wrote If Beale Street Could Talk, a tragic love story set in Harlem. The story was later adapted into an Academy Award-winning film in 2018.

In 1986, Baldwin earned the Commandeur de la Légion d'honneur, the highest French order of merit. He went on to receive numerous awards during and after his lifetime. But, Baldwin’s influence is much greater than any award — his works provided valuable representation to people whose stories often went untold, and inspired many civil rights leaders who, in turn, made progress in society that impacted generations.

Thank you, James Baldwin, for your massive contributions to the literary cannon - your voice has shaped how we approach conversations of identity and social justice.



Baldwin in 1969

[9A]

Feb 01, 2020

60th Anniversary of the Greensboro Sit-in




In honor of Black History Month, today’s diorama Doodle, created by Compton-based guest artist Karen Collins of the African American Miniature Museum, remembers the Greensboro sit-in on its 60th anniversary. Organized by four Black college freshmen who became known as the “Greensboro Four,” this protest against segregation was a key part of the Civil Rights Movement, sparking a series of similar demonstrations throughout the nation.

Inspired by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s nonviolent protests for racial equality, North Carolina A&T State University freshmen Ezell Blair Jr. [a.k.a. Jibreel Khazan], David Richmond, Franklin McCain, and Joseph McNeil, met at the local Woolworth’s department store in Greensboro, North Carolina on this day in 1960. The group requested service at the “whites-only” lunch counter—a common discriminatory and segregation practice by US businesses and institutions allowed by Jim Crow era laws. Denied service, the four continued to peacefully occupy their seats and refused to leave until the store closed at night.

In the days and weeks that followed, the “Greensboro Four'' were joined by hundreds of other protesters. As the movement grew however, so too did the opposition, who routinely verbally harassed protesters with racial slurs—even resorting to spitting and throwing food at the nonviolent demonstrators. Undaunted, protestors were willing to repeat the sit-ins for as long as necessary, in hopes that the establishment would feel pressured to desegregate.

As a result of the movement’s passion and resilience, Woolworth's fully integrated their dining area on July 25th, 1960. Catalyzing a much larger nonviolent sit-in movement across the country, the protests played a definitive role in the fight for civil rights. In its wake, segregation of public places became illegal under the Civil Rights Act of 1964.

In recognition of this historic demonstration, the Woolworth’s Department Store in Greensboro is now the International Civil Rights Center and Museum, and part of the counter is housed at the Smithsonian National Museum of American History in Washington, D.C.

[9A]

Feb 01, 2019

Celebrating Sojourner Truth




“We have all been thrown down so low that nobody thought we'd ever get up again; but we have been long enough trodden now; we will come up again.”

—Sojourner Truth

Today’s Doodle by Philadelphia-based guest artist Loveis Wise kicks off Black History Month by celebrating Sojourner Truth, a powerful advocate for justice and equality in the United States of America during the 19th century who paved the way for future generations.

Born an enslaved person in Ulster County, New York around 1797, Isabella Baumfree endured the horrors of the American slave trade—as well as seeing her children sold into servitude. Despite the hardships she faced, she went on to win her freedom, changing her name to Sojourner Truth, and starting a new life as a traveling and prominent preacher, abolitionist, and suffragist.

During her advocacy journeys throughout the country, Truth met activists William Lloyd Garrison and Frederick Douglass, who encouraged her to speak out against the evils of slavery. She published a memoir in 1850, which earned her widespread acclaim as an author and speaker. She was even invited to meet with Abraham Lincoln in the White House. In her autobiography, Sojourner Truth recounted the day she escaped with her infant daughter, forced to leave her other children behind. With her daughter, she was taken in by Isaac and Maria Van Wagenen, who helped Sojourner Truth sue for the freedom of her five-year-old son Peter, who had been sold illegally by her former slavemaster. This historic lawsuit made her one of the first black women to successfully sue a white man in the U.S. The courthouse where the case was heard is referenced in today’s Doodle.

After her book’s publication, Truth began a lecture tour that included a women’s rights conference in Akron, Ohio, where she delivered the famous “Ain’t I Woman” speech. Although the exact wording of the speech is still debated, her message came through loud and clear: women of any race, color, or creed are as strong and capable as any man

Truth’s memory and legacy continues to this day. Most recently, the US Treasury announced that she will be featured on the nation’s ten dollar bill along with other suffragists. The design for the new bill will be unveiled in 2020 to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the 19th Amendment, granting women the right to vote.

Here’s to Sojourner Truth, who devoted her life to the cause of speaking truth to power.

[9A]

Oct 01, 2020

Celebrating Ignatius Sancho



To honor the start of the UK’s Black History Month, today’s Doodle, illustrated by UK-based guest artist Kingsley Nebechi, celebrates British writer, composer, business owner, and abolitionist Ignatius Sancho. A former slave who advocated for abolition through prolific letter-writing, Sancho became the first person of African descent to cast a vote in a British general election.

Born in Africa around 1729, Ignatius Sancho was enslaved for the first five years of his life on the Caribbean island of Grenada before he was taken to England as a toddler. There, he was forced to serve as a slave for three sisters in Greenwich but eventually managed to run away and escape. He then gained employment with another aristocratic family for whom he worked for the next two decades. Having taught himself to read and write, Sancho utilized his employers' extensive library to further his self-education.

A skilled writer, Sancho penned a large volume of letters, many of which contained criticism of 18th-century politics and society. Newspapers published his eloquent calls for the abolition of slavery, which provided many readers their first exposure to writing by a Black person. The multi-talented Sancho also published four collections of music compositions and opened a grocery store with his wife in Westminster. As a financially independent male homeowner, he was qualified to vote—a right he historically exercised in 1774.

Sancho’s extensive collection of letters was published posthumously in 1782, garnering huge readership and widespread attention to the abolitionist cause.

Thank you, Ignatius Sancho, for your courageous fight in the name of freedom and equality.