Google doodles

[9A]

Mar 07, 2024

Lola Beltrán's 92nd Birthday



This animated Doodle celebrates Mexican actress and singer Lola Beltrán, who helped popularize Ranchera and Huapango music.

Beltrán grew up in a working class family in El Rosario, Sinaloa. Her church choir inspired her love of singing and she became obsessed with ballads. In 1953, Beltrán and her mother moved to Mexico City to pursue her career as a singer.

After getting a job as a popular radio station’s secretary, Beltrán earned the chance to participate in an on-air singing contest. She didn’t just win — the producers were so impressed that they helped her secure a recording contract. Beltrán started to cover popular songs on air and even earned her own radio show, but she had bigger dreams.

Working with songwriters, Beltrán crafted stories of underdog characters seeking and earning redemption. Her melancholic voice and sensibilities resonated with people across Mexico, and songs like “Cucurrucucu Paloma" and “Cielito Lindo” made her an in-demand talent. Although she sang about the country’s working-class people, she managed to engross audiences from all walks of life.

Beltrán became the first Ranchera singer to perform at the prestigious El Palacio de Bellas Artes in Mexico City. She also sang for presidents and leaders around the world. Over the course of her career, Beltrán made 100 albums and starred in 50 films. She inspired generations of Mexican singers to embrace folk music and sing about their authentic experiences.

Happy Birthday, Lola Beltrán!

[9A]

Sep 18, 2023

Chile National Day 2023



Today’s Doodle celebrates Chile’s National Holidays! On this day in 1810, Chile took a pivotal first step toward becoming independent from Spain by creating the Primera Junta de Gobierno [First Assembly Board].

Also known as Fiestas Patrias or Dieciocho, countless celebrations take place nationwide to commemorate Chile’s hard-won independence. Some patriotic parades feature huasos [Chilean cowboys] who stroll by to music, while the grand military and naval parades will march on the Day of the Glories of the Army tomorrow. The blue, white, and red Chilean flag flutters in the breeze next to businesses, homes, and festival tents on both holidays. Those gentle spring winds also make today popular for kite flying and other outdoor gatherings.

Parties called fondas are open to the public, complete with patriotic decorations, dancing, games, and refreshments like empanadas de pino, choripan, and anticuchos. The cueca, Chile’s national dance, is commonly performed. People throughout the country wear traditional clothing like colorful swishy dresses, “chupallas”, and riding boots with spurs. There are many traditions in Chile and the three-legged pigs, as seen in today’s Doodle artwork, are another uniquely-Chilean custom. It is traditional to give away and collect three-legged pigs as they’re believed to be good luck and abundance. The pigs in the Doodle represent the towns of Pomaire [known for its red clay pottery] and Quinchamalí [known for its black clay, with white drawings].


Happy National Holidays, Chile!

[9A]

Aug 14, 2023

Nüzhet Gökdoğan's 113th Birthday




Today’s Doodle celebrates Turkish astronomer, Nüzhet Gökdoğan, who is widely recognized as one of Türkiye’s first female astronomers. On this day in 1910, Gökdoğan was born in Istanbul, Türkiye. The Doodle artwork was illustrated by İzmir-based guest artist Ali Çetinkaya.

During her schooling, she learned French, German, and Turkish. A college scholarship brought her to Lyon University in France, where she completed her undergraduate degree in mathematics, and in 1933 received her graduate degree in physics from the University of Paris. She interned at the Paris Observatory and they invited her to continue her research there, but Gökdoğan chose to return to Türkiye.

Channeling her passion for astronomy into teaching in this field, Gökdoğan became an associate professor at the Institute of Astronomy at the Faculty of Science at İstanbul University. When she joined as the first Turkish employee, both the textbooks and lectures were in foreign languages like English and German. Multilingual Gökdoğan stepped in and translated course material and six books on topics from Celestial Mechanics to Spherical Astronomy.

In 1937, Gökdoğan wrote her dissertation on interstellar dark matter around the sun and completed her Ph.D. She went on to become a professor at Istanbul University, and in 1954, she was elected as the Dean of the Science Faculty, making her the first female university dean in Türkiye. Gökdoğan authored scientific papers for national journals and three introductory textbooks on astronomy, algebra, and cosmography before retiring in 1980.

The professor is remembered for advancing the astronomy profession in Türkiye and for founding several groups dedicated to science, notably the Turkish Astronomy Association, the Turkish Association of University Women, and the Turkish Mathematics Association.

Happy birthday to the stellar Nüzhet Gökdoğan!

[9A]

Aug 11, 2023

Mountain Day 2023



Today, the love for Japan's 12,000+ mountains reaches a peak — it's Mountain Day! This holiday was advocated for by nature and hiking groups before being enacted in 2014 and celebrated for the first time in 2016. Some speculate that the holiday takes place on August 11th because the kanji for “eight” [八] somewhat resembles a mountain and the number 11 looks like two trees.

This holiday aims to give Japanese people an opportunity to visit, appreciate, and celebrate the mountains that make up 70% of the country’s landmass. Japan has over 400 volcanoes, around 100 of which are active, and about 27,000 hot springs warmed by magma, so there are plenty of ways to take in the natural wonders.

As Japan’s newest public holiday, there are no traditional celebrations on this day, but many try to spend the day outdoors and treasure the peaks and ridges near them. Some visit and climb the highest mountain in Japan, Mt. Fuji, while others take a shorter hike to places like Zushi Beach or Mt. Tenran for a magnificent mountainous lookout. Others opt for an adventure to the stratovolcano Sakurajima which may erupt on the visit — there are minor eruptions about 200 times a year!

In the mood for some peaceful time in the great outdoors? Visit a hot spring for an all-natural hot tub, or paint a landscape while you take in the views.

To summit all up, there are many ways to celebrate the treasures that nature and mountains offer. Happy Mountain Day, Japan!

[9A]

Dec 17, 2022

Celebrating Ana Mercedes Hoyos




Today’s Doodle celebrates Ana Mercedes Hoyos, a distinguished Colombian artist. She was an award-winning painter and sculptor who won over seventeen national and international awards. Hoyos was a pioneer in modern art who focused on the complexities of Colombian culture. On this day in 1968, Hoyos was awarded first place in the Bogotá Museum of Modern Arts’ “Environmental Spaces” exhibition.

Born to a family of architects in Bogotá, Colombia on September 29, 1942, Hoyos was encouraged to study art history from an early age. She attended Colegia Marymount before studying visual arts at the University of Andes. She first explored more minimalistic and abstract styles, which led to her first series Ventanas [Windows]. Many consider this collection the turning point of her career, as it won the Colombian National Salon of Artists’ Caracas Prize.

In the next few decades, Hoyos ventured into new realms. In the mid 1970s, she released Atmósferas [Atmospheres], a series exploring the parameters of light that won international recognition. She then created works featuring flora and fruit typically found in Cartagena, where she lived in the 1980s.

Hoyos’ artistic journey eventually led her to still-life paintings that examined the multicultural diversity of Colombia. These still lifes combined exaggerated light with explosive tropical colors to capture the Caribbean’s rich cultures and sceneries. Hoyos’ paintings portrayed Afro-Colombian heritage in a magical, mesmerizing way.

Nowadays, people can enjoy her work far and wide at renowned art institutions like the Museum of Modern Art in Mexico City, the United Nations University in Tokyo, the National Museum of African American History and Culture in D.C., and perhaps most importantly, the Bogotá Museum of Modern Art, where her journey started.

[9A]

Aug 09, 2022

Seiki Kuroda's 156th Birthday




Today’s Doodle celebrates the life and 156th birthday of Seiki Kuroda, who was born on this day in 1866. Kuroda was an influential artist who’s known as the father of Western-style paintings in Japan. He was also a teacher and art administrator for the Tokyo Art School, as well as the founder of the White Horse Society.

He was born in Kagoshima, Japan where he was adopted by his uncle at birth and moved to his estate in Tokyo. At age 18, Kuroda traveled to Paris to study law but instead chose to pursue painting after two years. While in France, he spent a decade learning how to paint in the Western academic-style, honing his craft during a period of self-discovery.

In 1893, Kuroda returned to Japan and breathed fresh air into the Western-style art scene in many Japanese cities. He started a Western painting school called Tenshin Dojo and established pleinairism which is the practice of painting outdoors. In 1986, he founded the Habuka-kai—also known as the White Horse Society—a group of Japanese practitioners of yoga and painting. He was also invited to teach the Western Painting Department at the Tokyo School of Fine Arts.

In his waning years, Kuroda was chosen as a teishitsu gigei-in, or Imperial Household Artist, to create works for the Tokyo Imperial Palace. He also served as the President of the Imperial Art Academy and was titled a Viscount in 1917. Then, in 1920, Kuroda was elected to join Japan’s House of Peers, or Kizoku-in, the new aristocratic social class during the Meiji Era.

Kuroda made a lasting impression on the art world in Japan and beyond, inspiring the next generation of Western-style, Impressionist and Pleinairist artists to continue his legacy. His works can be found in countless museums and galleries such as the Artizon Museum in Tokyo and the Kuroda Memorial Hall within the Tokyo National Museum. Two of his works, Maiko [1893] and Lakeside [1897], have also been selected as commemorative postage stamps by the Japanese government.

Happy 156th birthday, Seiki Kuroda!

[9A]

Nov 12, 2021

Celebrating Johannes Vermeer





Today’s Doodle celebrates Dutch painter Johannes Vermeer, a seminal Baroque artist who is widely regarded among the greatest Dutch painters of all time. On this day in 1995, an eponymous exhibition opened at Washington D.C.’s National Gallery of Art, featuring 21 of his 35 existing works.

Johannes Vermeer was born in Delft, the Netherlands, at the height of the Dutch Golden Age in 1632. Although little is known about Vermeer’s early life, historians estimate from his early mythological paintings that he first aspired to be a historical painter.

By the 1650s, Vermeer began to paint subtly lit interiors with intricate symbology—a style distinguished by traditional Dutch motifs that became his hallmark. He captured the commonplace in radiant and exquisite detail, creating masterworks including “The Girl with the Pearl Earring '' [1665] which is currently on display at the Mauritshuis museum in The Hague, the Netherlands. The artistic techniques Vermeer employed are still up for debate. Some art historians suggest he traced images projected from a camera obscura [a predecessor to the photographic camera], but with no physical evidence to back up such claims, some Vermeer specialists remain unconvinced.

On the left, the Doodle artwork references “The Allegory of Painting” [[1666-1668) and in the middle, “Woman Writing a Letter, with her Maid” [1670-1671]. In 1979, an X-ray revealed a hidden Cupid in Vermeer’s “Girl Reading a Letter at an Open Window” [1657-1659], referenced on the right of the Doodle. Researchers continued to analyze the canvas in 2017, determining that the Cupid was covered by another painter. In 2021, a German initiative completely restored the painting. These efforts are just a few of the many attempts to demystify Vermeer and some of the world’s most treasured pieces of fine art he left behind.

Here’s to a true artistic luminary—Johannes Vermeer!

[9A]

Jun 30, 2020

Celebrating Marsha P. Johnson





Today’s Doodle, illustrated by Los Angeles-based guest artist Rob Gilliam, celebrates LGBTQ+ rights activist, performer, and self-identified drag queen Marsha P. Johnson, who is widely credited as one of the pioneers of the LGBTQ+ rights movement in the United States. On this day in 2019, Marsha was posthumously honored as a grand marshal of the New York City Pride March.

Marsha P. Johnson was born on August 24th, 1945, in Elizabeth, New Jersey. After graduating high school in 1963, she moved to New York City’s Greenwich Village, a burgeoning cultural hub for LGBTQ+ people. Here, she legally changed her name to Marsha P. Johnson. Her middle initial—“P.”—allegedly stood for her response to those who questioned her gender: “Pay It No Mind.”

A beloved and charismatic fixture in the LGBTQ+ community, Johnson is credited as one of the key leaders of the 1969 Stonewall uprising— widely regarded as a critical turning point for the international LGBTQ+ rights movement. The following year, she founded the Street Transvestite [now Transgender] Action Revolutionaries [STAR] with fellow transgender activist Sylvia Rivera. STAR was the first organization in the U.S. to be led by a trans woman of color and was the first to open North America’s first shelter for LGBTQ+ youth.

In 2019, New York City announced plans to erect statues of Johnson and Rivera in Greenwich Village, which will be one of the world’s first monuments in honor of transgender people.

Thank you, Marsha P. Johnson, for inspiring people everywhere to stand up for the freedom to be themselves.

[9A]

Aug 23, 2022

Coccinelle's 91st Birthday




Coccinelle was a pioneer for the LGBTQ+ community and the first French person to undergo gender-affirming surgery. Today’s Doodle celebrates the singer, entertainer and activist’s 91st birthday.

Jacqueline-Charlotte Dufresnoy was born on August 23, 1931 in Paris. Designated male at birth, she grew up with a deep, inner sense of being a female, along with interests in fashion and performance. After wearing a red dress with black polka dots to a party, a teenage Jacqueline earned the nickname Coccinelle, or ladybug in English.

In 1953, Coccinelle made her stage debut at Madame Arthur, a cabaret venue in Paris, performing a song from the film Premier rendez-vous. She earned a role at Le Carrousel de Paris, a popular music hall with many transgender performers, where her talent and stage presence captivated audiences.

Coccinelle became the first French celebrity to undergo gender-affirming surgery at a clinic in Casablanca in 1958. It was illegal to wear clothing not associated with one’s assigned gender in France at the time, and the publicity surrounding her surgery put a spotlight on LGBTQ+ rights.

After returning to France, Coccinelle quickly became an international icon. Her cabaret show toured across the world, including Europe and South America. She also began acting in films like Europa Di Notte in 1959 and Los Viciosos in 1962.

In 1960, Coccinelle got married in a Catholic wedding ceremony, under the condition that she get rebaptized beforehand. Unprecedented legally and religiously, her marriage established transgender people’s right to marry in France.

While continuing to perform, she founded the organization Devenir Femme, which provided support for transgender individuals seeking gender-affirming surgery. She also helped organize the Center for Aid, Research, and Information for Transsexuality and Gender Identity. In 1987, she published a self-titled autobiography that detailed her transition and career on stage.

Coccinelle’s legacy lives on in her work as people all over the world continue to enjoy her music and films. Happy 91st birthday, Coccinelle!

[9A]

Jul 02, 2023

Celebrating Diana Sacayán




Today’s Doodle honors Indigenous Argentine human rights activist Amancay Diana Sacayán. On this day in 2012, Sacayán became the first Argentine trans woman to receive a national identity card affirming her gender. The Doodle artwork, illustrated by Buenos Aires-based guest artist Juan Dellacha, depicts Sacayán as a joyful activist whose persistence, in spite of all the violence she suffered throughout her whole life, left a huge legacy.

A proud descendant of the Diaguita people, Sacayán was born in Tucumán, Argentina, on December 31, 1975. She and her 15 siblings moved to Buenos Aires, where she would spend most of her life. Sacayán enjoyed school until she was expelled as a result of coming out as transgender. She faced police persecution quickly and was arrested multiple times for her clothing choice and trans identity.

Sacayán fought tirelessly for LGBTQ+ rights during her life. She was involved with many activist groups, notably a member of the National Front for the Gender Identity Law and a leader of the International Lesbian, Gay, and Bisexual Association. She founded the Movimiento Antidiscriminatorio de Liberación [Anti-Discriminatory Liberation Movement], which was dedicated to improving human rights for the queer community, focusing on inclusion within schools, workplaces, and hospitals. Today, because of her activism, trans people can have their name and gender respected when they access health care.

1% of public sector employees in Buenos Aires are in the trans community, thanks to the Trans Labor Quota Law that Sacayán promoted. This law was expanded to the national level in 2020, but tragically, Sacayán was not around to see it. She was killed in a hate crime in 2015, and her murderer is considered the first person in Argentina to be convicted of a hate crime against the trans community.

Her resilience and accomplishments continue to inspire. She persuaded the public sector to include trans people, advocated for hospitals to use people's correct names, and set an example by being the first legally recognized trans person in her country. Thank you for dedicating your life to vastly improve trans rights, Amancay Diana Sacayán.

[9A]

Jun 04, 2023

Celebrating Gila Goldstein




Today’s Doodle celebrates Israeli actress, singer, and activist Gila Goldstein and is hand-crafted with clay by Jerusalem-based guest artist, Evgenia Kirshtein. She was the second transgender woman in Israel and one of the first members and supporters of Aguda, the country’s oldest and largest LGBTQ+ organization which was started and operated for years during a time when homosexuality was criminalized in Israel. On this day in 2003, an award ceremony was held to recognize Goldstein as a Tel Aviv LGBTQ Hall of Famer for being a prominent representative of full gender identity expression during an era of rejection and persecution.

Goldstein was born on December 18, 1947, in Turin, Italy and was designated male at birth. At a young age, she and her family immigrated to Haifa, Israel. As Goldstein came of age, she began to realize she was truly female. In the 1960s, Goldstein became one of the first Israelis to undergo officially documented gender-affirming surgery. She made a living as a sex worker throughout Europe, which she remained proud of in her later years, before returning to Israel. And in 1975, Goldstein helped found Aguda, Israel’s first organization to support LGBTQ+ rights.

After performing in nightclubs and bars as a singer and dancer, Goldstein switched her focus to developing her own music. She began a residency at the "Allenby 58" club in Tel Aviv. During the 1990s she recorded several songs there, which helped her earn a hosting role on a local radio music program.

In 2003, Goldstein was awarded the Israeli LGBTQ+ community prize for her efforts with Aguda. To further her experience in the arts, Goldstein began to explore acting, taking a role in the film Good Boys, which earned her the Miami LGBT Film Festival Award for best supporting actress in 2005. Just five short years later, a documentary was made about her life in 2010.

To this day, Goldstein remains one of the most iconic LGBTQ+ figures in Israel. Her status as one of the first openly trans women in Israel and her support to members of the trans community in Israel inspired the founding of the Gila project, which provides transgender empowerment, legal advice, and living assistance for the country’s youth. Thank you for your trailblazing spirit and bravery, Gila. You've inspired people around the world to not just feel comfortable being themselves but to advocate for others to do so, as well.

[9A]

30 November 2021

Janaína Dutra's 61st birthday






Today’s Doodle celebrates Brazilian social activist and lawyer Janaína Dutra, a leader of the Brazilian LGBTQIA+ movement who is widely considered the nation’s first transgender person to practice law.

Janaína Dutra was born on this day in 1960 in the Canindé district of Brazil’s northern Ceará state. By age 14, she began facing homophobic discrimination, but the support of her large family never faltered. She followed her sister to Fortaleza, where Dutra took her first steps toward a life devoted to advocating for the LGBTQIA+ community. In 1986, Dutra earned her law degree from the University of Fortaleza, making history as the first transgender graduate accepted as a member of the Ordem dos Advogados do Brasil [Brazilian National Bar Association].

Throughout the 1980s, Dutra furthered her career by developing Brazil’s first HIV prevention campaign that focused on the transgender community in collaboration with the Ministry of Health. Dutra also contributed to the foundation of the Grupo de Resistência Asa Branca [White Wing Resistance Group] and served as the first president of the Associação de Travestis do Ceará [ATRAC - Ceará Transvestites’ Association]—a landmark non-profit organization focused on developing social and legal support for the LGBTQIA+ community.

Known to always carry a copy of an anti-homophobia law passed by her hometown, Dutra spent a lifetime attending conferences, seminars, and round tables to advocate for equality. In 2011, the Janaína Dutra LGBT Reference Center was founded in Fortaleza, which carries on Dutra’s mission by protecting human rights for members of the LGBTQIA+ community to this day.

[9A]

Mar 08, 2024

International Women's Day 2024



This Doodle celebrates International Women’s Day and all the progress that has been made towards gender equality. On this day in 1975, the United Nations celebrated International Women’s Day [IWD] for the first time. Doodle highlights a group of women sharing wisdom across generations within a quiltembroidered with symbols ofprogressmade over the years.

March 8th commemorates two early Women’s Day demonstrations, one in Saint Petersburg, and the other in New York City. While in different years and places, these rallies had common goals of achieving gender equality including fair and safe employment, the right to vote, and the right to hold public office.

IWD marches today focus on issues like gender and racial wage gaps, reproductive rights, and the prevention of violence against women. Today, people celebrate women who have transformed society, fought for equality, and set positive examples for people everywhere.

The progress made by women over the years would not be possible without the courageous acts of those before them. Here’s to those who paved the way and to those who are carrying the torch further — happy International Women’s Day!

[9A]

Sep 20, 2021

Respect the Aged Day 2021





On the third Monday of September, the people of Japan honor the eldest in their communities during Respect for the Aged Day. Today's Doodle by Ishikawa, Japan-based guest artist Maiko Dake captures the joy provided by elderly people and their contributions to society.

The holiday, also known as Keirō no Hi, started as a local festival in 1947 when the mayor of Nomadani-mura [now Taka-cho] in the Hyōgo Prefecture wanted to host an event during which people could look to their elders for guidance and wisdom. The idea soon caught on in other communities and Japan declared Respect for the Aged Day a national holiday in 1966.

In years past, many people used the long weekend to visit aging relatives or bring meals to the elderly. Some cities also hold athletic competitions for seniors! Others call or send flowers like those represented in today’s Doodle to honor their loved ones.

People who have recently celebrated their 100th birthdays can look forward to official congratulations, and of these more than 80,000 centenarians, some appear on television to share their advice for a long and healthy life.

Happy Respect for the Aged Day, Japan!

[9A]

Oct 09, 2023

France Gall's 76th Birthday




Today’s video Doodle, illustrated by Paris-based guest artist Mathilde Loubes, celebrates French singer France Gall, who entered the Yé-yé scene at 16 and remained a prominent singer. On this day in 1947, she was born in Paris with the name Isabelle.

Growing up in a family of lyricists, composers, choir founders, and singers, it is no surprise that Gall pursued a musical career. She was playing guitar and piano in her adolescence, and by 15, she signed with a music publisher under her father’s guidance. She released her debut single Ne Sois Pas Si Bête [Don’t Be so Silly] under the pseudonym France Gall, which played on the radio for the first time on her 16th birthday.

In 1965, Gall represented Luxembourg at the international song contest Eurovision. Her upbeat performance of Poupée De Cire, Poupée De Son [Wax Doll, Sound Doll] earned her first prize and is considered the first pop song to win the contest. By this point, the young Gall was considered a major figure in the Yé-yé movement; she was voted France’s number one female pop star the following year which coincided with a successful international career.

Gall worked with several composers and songwriters over the years, notably Michel Berger, whom she would marry in 1976. Some of their most famous collaborations are Évidemment [Evidently], La Déclaration D'amour [Declaration of Love], and Mon Fils Rira du Rock 'n' Roll [My Son Will Laugh At Rock'N'Roll]. In 1979 she performed live and starred in the rock opera Starmania which her husband wrote the music for.

In the 80s, France Gall released four albums: Paris, France, Tout Pour la Musique, Débranche!, and Babacar. Many of her songs topped the charts like Ella, elle l'a [Ella's She’s Got It] and Il Jouait Du Piano Debout [He Played Piano Standing] — which is featured in today’s Doodle! France collaborated on two duets with English artist Sir Elton John at his request during this period. Somehow, she still made time to do philanthropic work. Over the years, she organized food drives, held fundraisers, and donated proceeds from some of her songs as well as doing work directly on the ground for causes she supported.

During her 50+ year career, Gall made her mark on an international music competition, released over 15 albums, performed in sold-out venues over 3 continents and co-authored the musical Résiste. In 2001, the documentary France Gall par France Gall immortalized the pop performer’s life and career.

Happy birthday to this French music icon!

[9A]

Nov 27, 2023

Celebrating Clorindo Testa

This Doodle celebrates Italian-Argentine artist and architect Clorindo Testa, who is widely considered one of the leading figures of modern architecture in Latin America.

[9A]

Dec 15, 2022

Celebrating Claudio Kano





Today’s Doodle celebrates Japanese Brazilian table tennis player Claudio Kano. He is widely considered one of the greatest Brazilian players of all time and helped popularize the sport.

Kano was born on December 18th in São Paulo, Brazil. At 10 years old, he started playing table tennis at Clube Showa where the best local players hung out. Kano’s skill and work ethic impressed the players, who recommended that he join the São Bernardo club—one of the best table tennis teams in the country.

A few years later, Kano was playing against some of the most competitive players in the world. Fluent in English, Japanese, and Spanish, Kano quickly made friends with professional players on the international circuit. After playing with Olympic champions in Sweden for four years, Kano returned to Brazil as one of the most talented players in the country.

At just age 17, Kano became the unofficial manager of Brazil’s national team and mentored younger players. With charisma and discipline beyond his years, Kano also became a role model for children across Brazil. He went on to win two gold medals in men’s doubles and men’s team table tennis at the 1983 Pan American Games, which catapulted him to a national hero status. Kano won 10 more medals, including five golds, at the Pan American Games.

Kano also competed in the 1988 Seoul Olympics and the 1993 Barcelona Olympics, placing in the top 20 in both games.

At age 30, he was on the cusp of competing in the 1996 Atlanta Olympics when he passed away in a tragic motorcycle accident. The star table tennis player leaves behind a shining legacy and thanks to his success, table tennis is now a celebrated sport in Brazil. The country's top players continue to look to Kano as an inspiration.

[9A]

31 May 2013

Julius Richard Petri's 161st Birthday





The vast majority of living things around us are invisible to the naked eye. The bottom of a shoe, the inside of a mouth, the surface of a piece of cheese – all of these are miniature ecosystems for a variety of cellular life, but in the course of our day-to-day we rarely notice them.

Taking samples from the world around us and inoculating a petri dish is an effective and easy way to see these miniature ecosystems in full swing. The petri dish, invented by Julius Richard Petri in the late 1800s, allows a scientist – or any casual observer – to easily see bacterial growth suspended in a plane of agar [a gelatinous substance that bacteria find delicious].

In a labratory setting, this setup can be used to test the resilience of certain strains of bacteria. But a hobbyist can use petri dishes to check out the delightfully gross bacteria hanging out in their pet's mouth, on their plate, or on a doorknob!

[9A]

Jun 18, 2019

Celebrating Michaelina Wautier







Today’s Doodle celebrates the Belgian artist Michaelina Wautier, born 415 years ago. Although many of Michaelina’s paintings were once misattributed to other artists, including her own brother, she’s now known as “Baroque’s leading lady.”

On this day last year, the definitive monograph on Wautier’s work was published by two institutions in Antwerp—Rubenshuis and Museum aan de Stroom—who also collaborated to showcase the first-ever Wautier retrospective, an exhibition of some 30 works that shed new light on “mysterious Michaelina.”

Contemporaries of Flemish masters like Rubens and Van Dyck, Michaelina and her younger brother Charles Wautier grew up in a well-to-do family, moving around 1640 from their birthplace of Mons to Brussels, where they lived in a stately townhouse near the Kappellekerk. Neither sibling married, devoting themselves to painting.

While researching her brother, art historian Pierre-Yves Kairis discovered Michaelina’s work, struck by her mastery of portraiture, historical paintings, and genre pieces during a time when female painters were, as he put it, “at best tolerated for painting flowers.” During her lifetime, she impressed prominent patrons like Archduke Leopold-Willem, who collected four of her paintings.

Her large-scale work The Triumph of Bacchus, widely considered her masterpiece, offers a glimpse of the artist’s personality. Michaelina painted herself into the scene, disguised as a half-naked bacchante, staring boldly at the viewer without apology.

[9A]

January 14, 2010

Festival of Kites 2010







Every year, Gujarat celebrates more than 200 festivals. The International Kite Festival [Uttarayan] is one of the biggest festivals celebrated. Months beforehand, homes in Gujarat begin to manufacture kites for the festival.

The festival of Uttarayan marks the day when winter begins to turn into summer, according to the Indian calendar. It is the sign for farmers that the sun is back and that harvest season, Makara Sankranti/Mahasankranti, is approaching. This is considered one of the most important harvest days in India as it also marks the end of winter and the beginning of the harvest season. Many cities in Gujarat organize kite competitions among their citizens.

In this region of Gujarat and many other states, Uttarayan is such a huge celebration that it has become a public holiday in India lasting two days. During the festival, local food such as undhiyu [a mixed vegetable including yam and beans], chikki [sesame seed brittle] and jalebi are served to the crowds. Days before the festival, the market is filled with participants buying their supplies.

In 2012, the Tourism Corporation of Gujarat mentioned that the International Kite Festival in Gujarat was attempting to enter the Guinness World Records book due to the participation of 42 countries in it that year.

[9A]

4 Nov 2019

Virginia Gutiérrez de Pineda’s 98th Birthday







Today’s Doodle celebrates Virginia Gutiérrez de Pineda, the acclaimed Colombian anthropologist and educator whose pioneering research reshaped traditional family structures and folk culture of Colombia.

Born in the town of El Socorro on this day in 1921, she was among the first generation of Colombian women allowed to pursue higher education. After studying at Bogotá’s Universidad Pedagógica Nacional, Gutiérrez then traveled to attend the University of California, Berkeley, where she earned a master's degree in Social and Medical Anthropology before returning home to Colombia to complete her Doctorate of Social and Economic Sciences.

Making the most of her educational opportunities, Gutiérrez went on to author a dozen book-length studies that laid out a fundamental understanding of the lives of Colombia’s people, including women and children of lower social and economic status. Her study of the street children of Medellín led to an interest in solving social problems by focusing on the family unit.

In books like La familia en Colombia, Gutiérrez explored different cultural nuances within the various communities of the Andean, Santandereano, Antioqueño, and coastal-mining regions. She also undertook academic surveys of popular medicine in Colombia and traditional remedies known as curanderismo.

Other than studying families, Gutiérrez also raised a family of her own after marrying fellow anthropologist Roberto Pineda Giraldo, whom she met at university. For her invaluable contributions to Colombian society, Gutiérrez was awarded Colombia’s Woman of the Year award in 1967, as well as the 1983 Gold Medal for Scientific Merit from the Inter-American Family Congress.

[9A]

28 November 2016

Drs. Suyadi's 84th Birthday





Drs. Suyadi, known widely by his alter-ego's name: Pak Raden, created books and animated films for children. His career spanned many years, creating his first book in 1952 at university and completing his last book, Petruk Jadi Raja, in 2008 at the age of 76.

In addition to books and films, Suyadi is perhaps best known for creating a children's puppet show called “Unyil.” The show aired on the Indonesian national station TVRI every Sunday from 1981 - 1993. To this day, the puppets are remembered fondly across Indonesia, especially Pak Raden, the grumpy character played by Suyadi himself. Never seen without his cane and false mustache, Pak Raden was one of the Unyil’s most popular puppets.

Today’s Doodle celebrates Drs. Suyadi on what would be his 84th birthday. Thank you for creating joy and inspiring curiosity in children and adults alike!

[9A]

13 Jul 2011

Sir George Gilbert Scott's 200th Birthday





Sir George Gilbert Scott RA, largely known as Sir Gilbert Scott, was a prolific English Gothic Revival architect, chiefly associated with the design, building and renovation of churches and cathedrals, although he started his career as a leading designer of workhouses. Over 800 buildings were designed or altered by him.

Scott was the architect of many notable buildings, including the Midland Grand Hotel at St Pancras Station, the Albert Memorial, and the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, all in London, St Mary's Cathedral, Glasgow, the main building of the University of Glasgow, St Mary's Cathedral in Edinburgh and King's College Chapel, London.

[9A]

7 Jul 2009

Anniversary of the publication of Pinocchio




Pinocchio is a fictional character and the protagonist of the children's novel The Adventures of Pinocchio [1883] by Italian writer Carlo Collodi of Florence, Tuscany. Pinocchio was carved by a woodcarver named Geppetto in a Tuscan village. He is created as a wooden puppet, but he dreams of becoming a real boy. He is known for his long nose, which grows when he lies.

Pinocchio is a cultural icon and one of the most reimagined characters in children's literature. His story has been adapted into many other media, notably the 1940 Disney film Pinocchio. Collodi often used the Italian Tuscan dialect in his book. The name Pinocchio is possibly derived from the rare Tuscan form pinocchio [“pine nut”] or constructed from pino [“pine tree, pine wood”] and occhio ["eye"].

[9A]

7 July 2011

Miroslav Krleza's 118th Birthday







For this doodle, I worked closely with a Googler in our Hungary office to learn more about Miroslav Krleza and his works. His most iconic character is the folk ballad musician, Petrica Kerempuh, who I ended up depicting in the final artwork. The style itself is based on my personal admiration of Eastern European illustration. This style has often been used to depict Kerempuh in bright, cheerful costume, in some ways to contrast the complex, multi-layered, [and sometimes darker] themes in Krleza’s exploration of Croatia’s historical experience.

Posted by Mike Dutton

[9A]

7 July 2016

Nettie Stevens’ 155th birthday



What are the genetics behind gender?

This simple question drove the work of American geneticist Nettie Stevens. Building on research by Edmund Beecher Wilson and Thomas Hunt Morgan at Bryn Mawr, Stevens discovered the connection between chromosomes and physicality. Her breakthrough evolved into the XY sex-determination system, now taught in classrooms around the world.

Doodle by Lydia Nichols

[9A]

23 August 2021

Aimé Painé's 78th birthday





Today’s Doodle celebrates the 78th birthday of Argentinian activist and singer Aimé Painé, a member of the Mapuche nation who devoted her life to preserving the traditional music of her community.

On this day in 1943, Aimé Painé was born in Ingeniero Luis A. Huergo, Argentina as Olga Elisa, a name she had to adopt due to a law that barred the use of Indigenous names. After being separated from her family at the age of three, Painé’s adoptive parents recognized her unique vocal talent and enrolled her in music school. She joined the National Polyphonic Choir in Buenos Aires in her late 20s. During one of the group's international recitals, she learned that Argentina was among the only nations in attendance that didn’t perform Indigenous music. This denial of native heritage prompted Painé to embark on a journey to southern Argentina to reconnect with her Indigenous roots.

Her quest led to a reunion with her biological, Mapuche father who inspired Painé to carry on their ancestral heritage through music. She reinterpreted ancient Mapuche songs in the native language of Mapudungun while playing traditional instruments, such as the cultrun and the cascahuillas. As one of the first musicians to popularize Mapuche music, Painé traveled across Argentina dressed in traditional Mapuche garb through the 1980s, singing stories of her people and denouncing their marginalization.

In 1987, Painé represented the Mapuche people at a United Nations conference, where she brought global awareness to her community’s struggle for equal rights. Today, Painé's legacy is honored each year on September 10 as the “Day of Mapuche Culture” in Argentina.

Happy birthday, Aimé Painé and thank you for safeguarding Mapuche musical traditions!

[9A]

Jan 18, 2021

Martin Luther King Jr. Day 2021


Today’s Doodle, illustrated by Pittsburgh-based guest artist Noa Denmon, celebrates the 26th anniversary of the federal American holiday and day of service in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. A civil rights pioneer, Dr. King’s legacy has forever altered the trajectory of United States history and inspired multiple generations to join in the pursuit of equality and social justice.

The Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was born in Atlanta, Georgia on January 15, 1929 and devoted his life to the pursuit of racial equality. He spearheaded some of America’s most groundbreaking demonstrations in the name of racial justice. Among these were the Montgomery Bus Boycotts from 1955 to 1956—peaceful protests which were considered the country’s first mass demonstration against segregation— and the Selma to Montgomery March across the Edmund Pettus Bridge in 1965 where protesters marched to demand an end to vo ter registration discrimination. Also, during the historic 1963 March on Washington, the orator delivered his now-famous “I Have a Dream” speech to some 250,000 people.

Dr. King played a key role in the passage of transformative American legislation, from the 1964 Civil Rights Act, which outlawed public segregation and employment discrimination, to the 1965 Voting Rights Act, which implemented sweeping changes to combat the disenfrachisement of voters based on race. In 1964, at the age of 35, he was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize making him the youngest person in history at the time to receive this honor.

Dr. King’s dream of racial equality inspired children, teenagers, and young adults to join the movement, with many of them attending meetings, marches and demonstrations from an early age. Today’s Doodle aims to depict this cross-generation activism in the parallel scenes from rallies of the 1960s on the left and modern day murals for social justice on the right.

Today and everyday, people of all ages honor his legacy by pouring into their communities and taking action to build a better future.

Happy Martin Luther King, Jr. Day!

[9A]

May 9, 2022

Celebrating the Birthday of Kiyoshi Kuromiya

Continuing the company’s celebration of Pride Month, the latest Google Doodle honors Kiyoshi Kuromiya, a Japanese American activist for civil rights and gay liberation.

Kiyoshi Kuromiya was born on May 9, 1943, in Wyoming, though his family’s home was in California. At the time, tensions were high between Japan and America, and the United States put those of Japanese descent into internment camps around the country. As such, Kuromiya was born inside of the Heart Mountain Concentration Camp.

After living on the West Coast for most of his life, Kuromiya moved to the eastern US to attend the University of Pennsylvania starting in 1961. There, Kuromiya felt a need to get involved as an activist both for human rights and antiwar efforts. Among other protest events, the next year, he participated in the Congress for Racial Equality’s sit-ins at diners in Maryland.

In 1963, Kiyoshi Kuromiya had the privilege of being in attendance for Dr. Martin Luther KingJr.’s “I Have a Dream” speech, and in time Kuromiya became one of Dr. King’s aides.

Kuromiya formally came out as gay in 1965, at the first “Annual Reminder,” a yearly protest using picket signs to remind the public of the rights that the gay community simply did not have. Four years later, after the Stonewall Riots, Kiyoshi Kuromiya helped cofound the Gay Liberation Front, a group meant to help men deal with the loneliness of having a different sexual identity.

Kuromiya continued his activism work for decades after that, including boosting public awareness of the AIDS epidemic in the ’80s all the way through to the late ’90s. Kiyoshi Kuromiya died due to cancer-related complications on May 10, 2000, at the age of 57.

To get a more in-depth look at Kuromiya’s life, be sure to check out the special exhibit from the Heart Mountain Wyoming Foundation on Google Arts & Culture, which includes pictures of the man himself.

The Google Doodle honoring Kiyoshi Kuromiya depicts a building in the city, painted with a mural of Kuromiya. In a vignette to the left, you can see a protest in front of Philadelphia’s Independence Hall, while the right-side shows a phone and the Progress Pride flag. As for why Google chose this day to honor the respected activist, Kiyoshi Kuromiya was inducted into the National LGBTQ Wall of Honor on June 4, 2019.

[9A]

Apr 17, 2021

Celebrating Laura Bassi



Newton’s second law of motion states that an object’s acceleration is dependent on two variables: the force acting on the object and its mass. Apply this law to the momentum of women in science, and Italian physicist and professor—Laura Bassi—arises as a primary force for propelling scientific progress forward. On this day in 1732, Bassi successfully defended 49 theses to become one of the first women in Europe to receive a PhD.

Today’s Doodle celebrates Laura Maria Catarina Bassi, who was born in Bologna, Papal States [modern-day Italy] in 1711. A child prodigy, she was debating top academics on the history of philosophy and physics by 20; a rare achievement at a time in which women were largely excluded from higher education.

By 1732, Bassi was a household name in Bologna, and following her thesis defense, she became the first female member of the Bologna Academy of Sciences, one of Italy’s foremost scientific institutions. Due to gender discrimination, her position at the Academy was limited, yet she persisted. Bassi apprenticed under eminent Bologna professors to learn calculus and Newtonian physics, a discipline she spread across Italy for almost 50 years. A lifelong teacher of physics and philosophy, she complemented her education with innovative research and experiments on subjects ranging from electricity to hydraulics.

Bassi continually fought for gender equality in education throughout her trailblazing career; efforts that culminated in 1776 when the Bologna Academy of Sciences appointed her a professor of experimental physics—making Bassi the first woman offered an official teaching position at a European university.

Here’s to you, Laura Bassi!

[9A]

April 17, 2014

The Peak District becomes Britain's 1st National Park



The Peak District is an upland area in England at the southern end of the Pennines. Mostly in Derbyshire, it extends into Cheshire, Greater Manchester, Staffordshire, West Yorkshire and South Yorkshire. It includes the Dark Peak, where moorland is found and the geology gritstone, and the White Peak, a limestone area with valleys and gorges. The Dark Peak forms an arc on the north, east and west sides; the White Peak covers central and southern tracts.

The historic Peak District extends beyond the National Park, which excludes major towns, quarries and industrial areas. It became the first of the national parks of England and Wales in 1951. Nearby Manchester, Stoke-on-Trent, Derby and Sheffield send millions of visitors – some 20 million live within an hour's ride. Inhabited from the Mesolithic era, it shows evidence of the Neolithic, Bronze and Iron Ages. Settled by the Romans and Anglo-Saxons, it remained largely agricultural; mining arose in the Middle Ages. Richard Arkwright built cotton mills in the Industrial Revolution. As mining declined, quarrying grew. Tourism came with the railways, spurred by the landscape, spa towns and Castleton's show caves.

[9A]

21 Jan 2019

Martin Luther King Jr. Day 2019




“I have decided to stick with love,” said Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. in 1967. “Hate is too great a burden to bear.” Speaking at the Southern Christian Leadership Conference’s annual convention, the Nobel Prize-winning civil rights leader affirmed an idea set forth in his 1963 book, Strength to Love: “Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.”

Born the son of a Baptist minister in Atlanta, Georgia, Martin Luther King Jr. fought tirelessly for the civil rights of all and to bring about a more united nation. From the Montgomery Bus Boycott to the March on Washington and the historic civil rights march in Selma, Dr. King repeatedly risked his freedom and his life in pursuit of his dream of racial equality. His legacy lives on through a series of victories, from the 1956 Supreme Court ruling against segregation on buses to the 1964 Civil Rights Act and the 1965 Voting Rights Act.

Legislation signed in 1983 made Dr. King’s birthday a federal holiday. Congress designated it as a national day of service with the aim of creating solutions to social problems and moving us closer to Dr. King's “Beloved Community." Today’s Doodle by guest artist, Xia Gordon, depicts Dr. King at his writing desk as he wrestles with his ideas, perhaps contemplating how he might help to form a more unified society. To this day, Dr. King’s example continues to light the way forward, with love.

[9A]

June 1, 2021

Celebrating Daniel Balavoine







Today’s Doodle celebrates French singer, songwriter, and activist Daniel Balavoine, a rebellious yet sensitive champion of pop music and human rights. On this day in 1978, Balavoine released his third album “Le Chanteur” [“The Singer”], an emotional reflection on the preciousness of life that skyrocketed his career.

Daniel Balavoine was born on February 5, 1952, in Alençon, France. In his teens, he fought passionately for social causes with energy he began to channel into music in 1970. Although his early musical efforts flew under the radar of mainstream success, Balavoine’s career began to pick up steam when Swiss pop star Patrick Juvet featured him on one of his albums.

In 1975, Balavoine continued to build momentum with the release of his debut solo album “De Vous à Elle en Passant Par Moi” [“From You to Her Through Me”]. A televised performance in 1977 of one of his sophomore album’s hit songs, “Lady Marlène,” captivated French pop icon Michel Berger, who commissioned Balavoine to play Johnny Rockfort in his cyberpunk rock opera “Starmania.” The role was a smash hit that set the stage for Balavoine to become a successful innovator of French electronic pop.

In 1980, he released a hit album, “Un Autre Monde” [“Another World”], featuring some of his most famous songs, such as “Je Ne Suis Pas un Héros” [“I’m not a Hero”], “Mon Fils, ma Bataille” [“My Son, My Battle”], and “La Vie ne M’Apprend Rien” [“Life Teaches me Nothing”]. In that same year, on television he issued a call to action to politician François Mitterrand with a challenge to do more for the youth. This was a defining moment for Balavoine’s legacy as not only a musician, but a vocal activist for the community and symbol for France’s next generation.

In addition to the over 20 million records he sold, Balavoine was a devoted humanitarian. He focused much of his efforts on improving the lives of residents in remote villages of the African Sahara, especially in Mali, where he planned to supervise the installation of water pumps near the route of the 1986 Paris-Dakar rally car race. Balavoine tragically lost his life during this trip, but his legacy has lived on. That same year, Balavoine’s final album “Sauver L'Amour” [“Save Love”] won a posthumous Victoire de la Musique award, one of French music’s highest honors.

Here’s to you, Daniel Balavoine!

[9A]

Jul 28, 2017

Albert [Elea] Namatjira’s 115th Birthday





Today is the 115th birthday of renowned Aboriginal Australian artist Albert [Elea] Namatjira. Born in 1902 near Alice Springs in the Northern Territory of Australia, he joined the Arrernte community at the age of 13 where he developed his love for the rough and wild Australian landscape.

Namatjira loved sketching from the time he was a young boy, and quickly took to painting the natural beauty around him in the bush. His landscape images earned recognition in Australia and around the world. Namatjira also inspired the Hermannsburg School for his community in Alice Springs, teaching aspiring young artists to depict the Australian landscape.

Today’s Doodle is a painting created by Albert’s granddaughter, Gloria Pannka. To represent her grandfather, Gloria chose to paint the beautiful hills between Hamilton Downs and the West MacDonnell Ranges in central Australia. Albert’s homeland is not far away from this area, and Gloria says that visiting this landscape connects her to her grandparents.

Gloria is also a member of an artistic community, Iltja Ntjarra / Many Hands Art Centre inspired by her grandfather’s works. The art centre works to maintain and promote Aboriginal cultural heritage.

[9A]

1 Mar 2012

Quinquela Martín's 122nd Birthday



Benito Quinquela Martín was an Argentine painter. Quinquela Martín is considered the port painter-par-excellence and one of the most popular Argentine painters. His paintings of port scenes show the activity, vigor and roughness of the daily life in the port of La Boca.

[9A]

7 Mar 2012

Alessandro Manzoni's 227th Birthday







Alessandro Francesco Tommaso Antonio Manzoni was an Italian poet, novelist and philosopher. He is famous for the novel The Betrothed [1827], generally ranked among the masterpieces of world literature. The novel is also a symbol of the Italian Risorgimento, both for its patriotic message and because it was a fundamental milestone in the development of the modern, unified Italian language.

[9A]

12 Mar 2012

Chinese Arbor Day 2012

[9A]

12 March 2013


André Le Nôtre's 400th Birthday





André Le Nôtre was a French landscape architect and the principal gardener of King Louis XIV of France. He was the landscape architect who designed the gardens of the Palace of Versailles; his work represents the height of the French formal garden style, or jardin à la française.

[9A]

April 28, 2014

Cinecittà's 77 anniversary





Cinecittà Studios [Italian for Cinema City Studios], is a large film studio in Rome, Italy. With an area of 400,000 square metres [99 acres], it is the largest film studio in Europe,[citation needed] and is considered the hub of Italian cinema. The studios were constructed during the Fascist era as part of a plan to revive the Italian film industry.

Filmmakers such as Federico Fellini, Roberto Rossellini, Luchino Visconti, Sergio Leone, Bernardo Bertolucci, Francis Ford Coppola, Martin Scorsese, and Mel Gibson have worked at Cinecittà. More than 3,000 movies have been filmed there, of which 90 received an Academy Award nomination and 47 of these won it. In the 1950s, the number of international productions being made there led to Rome being dubbed "Hollywood on the Tiber."

[9A]

April 28, 2017

Marie Harel’s 256th Birthday





If not for Marie Harel, born April 28, 1761, brie might have no gooey counterpart. Harel, who’s credited with creating the first camembert in 1791, is said to have encountered a cheese whisperer at the Normandy manor where she worked as a dairymaid. According to legend, a priest [purportedly from the region of Brie] took shelter at Beaumoncel near Vimoutiers during the French Revolution, and he shared his secret for making the now-famous soft-centered cheese. Harel added her own signature, packaging the cheese in its iconic wooden boxes.

Like brie, camembert is made from raw cow’s milk, but without cream. The cheese is yellow in color, with an earthy aroma, creamy taste, and an edible white rind. Today, only camembert made from unpasteurized milk receives the designation Camembert de Normandie. The village of Vimoutiers, home of the Camembert Museum, boasts a statue of a cow — as well as one of Harel, who made such a delicious contribution to French cheese culture.

Our Doodle celebrates Harel’s 256th birthday with a slideshow that illustrates how camembert is made, step by step. It's drawn in a charming, nostalgic style reminiscent of early 20th-century French poster artists, such as Hervé Morvan and Raymond Savignac.

Bon appetit!

[9A]

April 28, 2019

Evangelina Elizondo’s 90th Birthday







Today’s Doodle by Mexico City-based guest artist Valeria Alvarez celebrates Evangelina Elizondo, an actress who starred in movies, television shows, and musical theater during an era known as Mexican Cinema’s Golden Age. Born Gloria Evangelina Elizondo López-Llera in Mexico City on this day in 1929, the multi-talented artist was also an accomplished painter, author, and recording artist.

Elizondo’s big break came after being cast as the voice of Cinderella in the Spanish version of the Disney classic. She later made her stage debut dancing in the 1950 stage production of Mariano Azuelo’s Los de Abajo [The Underdogs] and also appeared in Mame and La Viuda Alegre [The Merry Widow] with Plácido Domingo.

Elizondo’s first on-screen appearance came in the 1951 film, Las locuras de Tin-Tan, with Germán “Tin-Tan” Valdés. She would act in over 75 films, specializing in comedies and musicals. “I do not like drama at all,” she said. “I do not want dramas in my life. What I've always wanted is to amuse the public, to whom I owe my career.” In 1995, she appeared with Anthony Quinn and Keanu Reeves in A Walk in the Clouds.

Elizondo also performed in several telenovelas, and her iconic character “Mamá Lena” in Mirada de Mujer was beloved by millions. She continued studying art throughout her life and also earned a degree in theology. The author of two books, she received a Harlequin Prize in 2014 for her contributions to Mexican culture.

Feliz cumpleaños, Evangelina Elizondo!

[9A]

January 14, 2017

Chava Flores’s 97th Birthday







In 1946, after trying his hand at various different professions, Chava Flores, a musician and music lover, began work at a small printing press. That decision would lead him to create Álbum de Oro de la Canción, the magazine that would eventually secure Chava’s status as “The musical chronicler of Mexico City.”

Through the magazine, Chava met Mexico’s most influential songwriters and composers, inspiring his own vibrant musical style that he showcased over his long career as a composer. His repertoire was as singular as it was prolific, spanning more than 200 songs [like ”Sábado Distrito Federal”]. Chava’s talents expanded beyond the realm of music into other arts, landing him roles in films like Mi Influyente Mujer and Rebeldes sin Causa.

Today’s Doodle celebrates the legacy of Chava Flores, a prolific musician and actor who chronicled urban life in Mexico through his unique approach to songwriting.

[9A]

April 14, 2012

Robert Doisneau's 100th Birthday





If a picture's worth a 1,000 words, what're a few more letters?

In the case of creating a doodle with well-known images, my natural inclination is to re-stage the composition to work in the characters of the Google logo. Today's inspiring doodle subject, however, anticipated this move many years ago with the following, oft-repeated pearl of wisdom:

"The marvels of daily life are exciting; no [Google doodler] can arrange the unexpected that you find in the street." - Robert Doisneau

My first pass with this approach was taking one of his most iconic photographs, Le baiser de l'hôtel de ville and trying to sneak in the Google logo:





This proved problematic for two reasons: 1) this treasure finder of a photographer had captured too many moments to highlight just one gem 2) I couldn't bear the thought of re-cropping a masterpiece.

The solution? Mucking up several masterpieces.

Arranging a seemingly casual stack of photographs, I placed 3D models of the letters into four different magical moments that Robert Doisneau captured on film:




And, finally, I used value, shading, texture, and focus to hide them as best I could [click for a higher-res photo]:





Here's the line up of photos featured in the final doodle:

Le remorqueur du champs de Mars, 1943
Trois petits enfants blancs, 1971
Le baiser de l'hôtel de ville, 1950
Un chien à roulettes, 1977

Many thanks to Robert Doisneau's estate for giving us permission to use these wonderful images!

posted by Ryan Germick

[9A]

May 05, 2023

Soledad Acosta de Samper's 190th Birthday




Today’s Doodle celebrates the 190th birthday of Soledad Acosta de Samper, a Colombian journalist, historian, and novelist who is considered one of the most renowned South American writers of the 19th century. She wrote more than 20 novels, 50 short stories, 4 plays, and more. She was a pioneer in Colombian literature and dedicated much of her work to the recognition of women.

Acosta de Samper was born in Bogotá on this day in 1833. She was the daughter of Joaquín Acosta, a prominent figure in the fight for Colombian independence, and studied in Canada and France when she was young. She found her love for writing when she returned to Colombia in 1855.

She founded several magazines and newspapers like La Mujer [The Woman, 1878], La Familia [The Family, 1884], and more. Acosta de Samper started exploring fictional writing that introduced a historical element while continuing her journalistic work. Traditionally, history was mostly written by men who would exclude important women characters and figures. Acosta de Samper made sure to mention and recognize women in history in her writing — a true disruption at the time.

For the next 35 years, Acosta de Samper published a variety of works including novels, plays, short stories, literary studies, and historical treatises. The Colombian Ministry of Culture declared 2013 “Soledad Acosta de Samper Year” to revive her works and honor her life.

[9A]

Sep 07, 2023

Brazil Independence Day 2023





Today’s Doodle celebrates Brazil’s Independence Day, or Sete de Setembro [September Seventh] in Portuguese. On this day in 1822, Brazil declared independence from Portugal. Two years later, it adopted its first constitution and gained formal recognition as a sovereign nation.

On Independence Day, Brazil’s green, yellow, and blue national flag flies high throughout the country. The flag’s central coat of arms contains a star for each Brazilian state. The green stands for the nation’s lush forests, the yellow represents wealth, and the deep blue symbolizes that Brazil is at the center of its own universe. Today's Doodle uses the same colors to celebrate and remind us of those values that Brazil holds dear.

Happy Independence Day, Brazil!

[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]

2 March 2021

Wangdee Nima [Wang Tae]'s 96th birthday






Today’s Doodle celebrates the life and legacy of Thai musician Wangdee Nima, a performer affectionately known by his stage name Wang Tae.

Born on this day in central Thailand in 1925, Wang Tae inherited a love for music from his parents, both of whom were performers of traditional Thai folk genres. As a child, he became a specialist in Lam Tad, a style of music that originated in his home region. This popular folk genre brings groups of men and women together to alternate singing improvised humorous lyrics to elicit laughs from the audience, all set against the background of instruments like the Klong Ramana, a traditional Thai hand drum.

Wang Tae soon established his own troupe, eponymously named “Lam Tad Wang Te,” which earned him national recognition and widespread appeal. Renowned for his clever lyrics with his cunning use of double entendres, Wang Tae was a true master of the Thai language whose witty performances brought smiles to the faces of audiences across Thailand for close to forty years.

In 1988, Wang Tae was named a National Artist of Thailand, an annual prize awarded by the National Culture Commission of Thailand to the country’s most prestigious performing artists.

Happy birthday, Wangdee Nima!

[9A]

17 Jan 2019

Dalida’s 86th Birthday





“Mon petit Bambino
Ta musique est plus jolie
Que tout le ciel de l’Italie”

[“My little Bambino
Your music is more beautiful
Than the whole sky of Italy”]

—Dalida “Bambino” [1956]

Today’s Doodle celebrates Dalida, a French singer and actress, whose aching voice and real-life heartaches earned her a cult following worldwide. Her breakthrough single “Bambino,” tells the tale of a heartbroken boy who plays beautiful music on his mandolin. The song became a hit in France, spending most of 1956 at the top of the charts. It also kicked off the artist’s 30-year singing career during which she would sell millions of records.

Born Yolanda Cristina Gigliotti on this day in 1933, Dalida grew up in the suburbs of Cairo, Egypt. After being crowned Miss Egypt in 1954, she landed her first movie role, using the stage name “Delila,” in homage to Hedy Lamarr’s character in the Hollywood classic Samson & Delilah. She changed it slightly to “Dalida” after moving to Paris in late 1954 to pursue a career on screen. To support herself in the new city, Dalida began singing in cabarets where her talent was discovered. She soon signed her first record deal and went on to release more than 45 studio albums and hold countless concerts all over the world. Dalida’s multicultural background and her ability to sing in French, Arabic, Italian, and many other languages enabled her to connect with audiences across the globe. When performing in Egypt, she was known for asking audiences “mabsoteen?” [Arabic for “are you happy?”]. Although her life was touched by tragedy in the end, Dalida’s soulful music continues to bring joy to her fans around the globe.

Today’s animated Doodle celebrates the international entertainer by featuring 14 of her most iconic looks and outfits throughout her career.


Here’s to the talented Dalida on what would have been her 86th birthday.

[9A]

April 8, 2024

Total Eclipse 2024




The Moon is having its day in the Sun — happy solar eclipse 2024! Today the Moon crosses between the Sun and the Earth, effectively blocking the Sun’s light. In the path of totality, the sky will darken and the air will cool, and the Sun’s glowing corona [it’s rarely seen outermost part] becomes visible for up to four and a half minutes! People in North America [Mexico, the United States, and Canada] get to witness a special and rare event — a partial eclipse or total eclipse if they are in the path of totality. Visit NASA’s livestream to watch the event live from 1-4 p.m. ET.

While solar eclipses occur between two and five times each year, total solar eclipses only take place roughly every 550 days. And. on average, it takes over 300 years for a total solar eclipse to be viewable from the same location.

During rare events like these, it’s common for people to flock to locations that provide the best viewability. While states from Texas all the way to Maine are in the path of totality, people all across North America will at least get to see a partial eclipse. Look up what type of eclipse you will see with NASA’s Eclipse Explorer. It is extremely important to view the eclipse with safe solar viewing glasses [NOT sunglasses] or an indirect viewing method as unfiltered direct sunlight can cause severe eye damage.

Get ready to sport your protective eclipse glasses for an over-the-Moon spec-tacle!

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Aug 21, 2017

Great American Eclipse 2017




Skywatchers on the American continent today are in for a special astronomical treat: front row seats to a total solar eclipse. An eclipse occurs when the moon passes between the sun and the earth, blocking the light of the sun from reaching us.

While eclipses aren’t rare, a total eclipse, when viewers from Earth are at the very center of the moon’s shadow, only happens once every 18 months. To see one requires you to be in just the right place on earth, and a total eclipse in the same location only happens every 375 years on average.