Google doodles

[9A]

Aug 5, 2016

2016 Doodle Fruit Games - Day 1



Today marks the season opener of the 2016 Doodle Fruit Games! For the next couple of weeks, we’ll journey to an otherwise unassuming fruit stand in Rio, where produce from all over the market competes for the title of freshest fruit. To play along, get the latest Google app on Android or iOS, and tap the Doodle.




And now, a report from the field covering Day 1 of the action….


The Games are off to a rollicking start! Strawberry takes an early lead but Watermelon’s on a roll. Over to Coconut and what a jump! What a dunk! Passed by Lemon, going...going….ooh, frozen fruit. To Pineapple where a sweet return earns a prickly reception. Things are getting juicy! Now Orange swings and Blueberry soars. Grape rides and Apple spikes. It’s a cornucopia of conquests! But wait, here comes Strawberry with Watermelon spitting at its heels. Will it end in a blender blunder? Not today! This game will end with a Strawberry on top.


Come back tomorrow and for the next few weeks to keep up with all the action from the 2016 Doodle Fruit Games!

[9A]

Aug 6, 2016

2016 Doodle Fruit Games - Day 2




Today marks the 2nd day of the 2016 Doodle Fruit Games! For the next couple of weeks, we’ll journey to an otherwise unassuming fruit stand in Rio, where produce from all over the market competes for the title of freshest fruit. To play along, get the latest Google app on Android or iOS, and tap the Doodle.

And now, a report from the field covering Day 2 of the action...

It's tennis time at the 2016 Doodle Fruit Games! The star of today’s event is Pineapple. With a sweet forehand slice and a drop shot that turns opponents upside-down, Pineapple is primed to serve up some excitement. Or will Pineapple's spiky temper sour the match? "I'll keep my cool as long as I don't get called for a fruit fault," Pineapple said this morning. "I can't help it. Despite my headband, sometimes my fronds fall over the line!" Minor shake-ups aren't likely to keep Pineapple from running rings around the competition.

Stop by every day for the next few weeks to catch all the fun of the 2016 Doodle Fruit Games!

[9A]

Aug 7, 2016

2016 Doodle Fruit Games - Day 3



Today marks the 3rd day of the 2016 Doodle Fruit Games! For the next couple of weeks, we’ll journey to an otherwise unassuming fruit stand in Rio, where produce from all over the market competes for the title of freshest fruit. To play along, get the latest Google app on Android or iOS, and tap the Doodle.


And now, a report from the field covering Day 3 of the action...


When it comes to showjumping, Grape has always stood out from the bunch. The fearless fruit hopped on its first steed when it was just a seedling — and hasn’t looked back since. Now, Grape’s dedication to the sport has landed the bite-sized powerhouse at the 2016 Doodle Fruit Games, and Grape couldn’t be more excited.


“Back home on the vine, I used to dream of competing with the entire fruit stand cheering me on,” Grape said. “I’m ready to juice the competition!”


Of course, none of this would be possible without Grape’s trusty sidekick. Spider and Grape have been inseparable since they landed in the same crate. “We’ve put in the practice — now we just have to get out there and crush our jumps!”


Check back each day for all the latest on the 2016 Doodle Fruit Games!

[9A]

Aug 9, 2016

Singapore National Day 2016


This year, Singapore is putting a futuristic twist on its National Day celebrations. As the country rings in 51 years of independence with the theme Building our Singapore of Tomorrow, new attractions like 3D displays, indoor fireworks, and drones will be featured alongside the holiday’s beloved parade.

Of course, the festivities wouldn’t be complete without Singapore’s favorite mascot. Serving as the centerpiece of today’s Doodle, the Merlion — part lion, part fish — is a nod to the nation’s past as its people come together to look toward the future.

[9A]

August 9, 2009

Singapore National Day 2009

[9A]

August 9, 2014

Singapore National Day 2014





Singapore’s skyline is front and center in our doodle for the country’s National Day.

[9A]

August 9, 2021

Singapore National Day 2021



Today’s Doodle celebrates Singapore’s National Day, which commemorates the island nation’s sovereignty and cultural heritage each year. On this day in 1965, Singapore declared its national independence.

Today, Singaporeans from all walks of life come together to celebrate their multiethnic national culture and customs. While citizens’ backgrounds vary widely, most find common ground in enjoying the diverse cuisines. Singapore’s hawker culture is a distinctive element in its national identity, and in 2020 this was recognized by its inclusion in the Unesco Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.

Well-loved hawker dishes Nasi Lemak [coconut milk rice], chili crab, and roti prata [flatbread] are depicted in the Doodle artwork. Originating from affordable, on-the-go meals served by early migrant street stalls in the 1800s, hawker cuisine is now traditionally prepared in the nation’s 110 hawker centers. These community dining hubs are found across the island and are great spots to get a taste of Singapore!

Happy National Day, Singapore!

[9A]

September 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]

September 20, 2013

Olga Ferri's 85th Birthday [Argentina]






Olga Ferri was an Argentine choreographer and ballet dancer. She joined the Ballet of the Teatro Colón at eighteen and was prima ballerina from 1949.

[9A]

September 21, 2020

Respect for the Aged Day 2020







Today’s Doodle, illustrated by Tokyo-based guest artist Tatsuro Kiuchi, commemorates Respect for the Aged Day, an annual Japanese holiday dedicated to the country’s elderly community.

Japan is one of only two nations with a public holiday that honors older citizens, and it has much to celebrate. The archipelago is home to the world’s largest percentage of people aged 65 and above–over 28% according to recent statistics.

Of that group, more than 70,000 people are over 100 years old, including the world’s oldest living person who turned 117 this year.

Happy Respect for the Aged Day, Japan!

[9A]

September 21, 2015

Respect for the Aged Day 2015



Since 1966, Respect for the Aged Day has been a time to revere the wisest people we know. Today Japan celebrates its elders, the men and women who paved the way for their children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren to leave their mark on society. Communities across the country will gather to enjoy musical performances and offer their elders gifts like bento boxes, flowers, and handmade crafts.

[9A]

September 21, 2016

43rd Anniversary of the Film "Ivan Vasilievich: Back to the Future"



The past, present, and future combine in real time for the 43rd anniversary of the Russian film Ivan Vasilievich: Back to the Future by director Leonid Gaidai and Mosfilm, the oldest film studio in Europe. The picture hit the scene with more than 60 million tickets sold—making it one of the most attended movies ever in the Soviet Union. Based on the original 1930s play by Michail Bulgakov, the technology was updated for the 1970s film to include more modern touches—a tape recorder replaced the original phonograph and a more advanced time machine used transistors to transcend time and space.

Russian viewers young and old know the plot very well: commotion involving a time machine, Shurik the inventor, the superintendent, members of the elite, the secret police, foreign ambassadors and Tsar Ivan the Terrible, himself.

Doodler Nate Swinehart, chose to feature the most iconic moment in the film: “This shot was a lot of fun to re-create and paint, I even hand drew the type to match the kooky ‘60s aesthetic of the film. Getting to make silly content that makes people smile is one of my favorite things to do.”

All these years later, one question still remains—was the whole thing just a dream?

[9A]

June 18, 2019

Celebrating Falafel






Today’s Doodle celebrates falafel, the best thing that ever happened to chickpeas—with the possible exception of hummus, of course.

Although the exact origins of this spicy street food have been lost to the mists of time, falafel has been enjoyed for centuries in many different cultures. India produces the vast majority of the world’s chickpea crop, which currently is in high season. In Egypt, fava beans are ground to make these delicious, crispy balls of fried plant protein, known in Egypt as “ta'amiya.” Israel has a song to celebrate its love affair with the tried-and-true treat, entitled And We Have Falafel.

Over time, more eclectic toppings has been introduced all over the world, ranging from German sauerkraut, to Iraqi fried eggplant, to Indian mango sauce, to Yemeni hot sauce. Even newer variations such as the red falafel—made with jalapeños roasted peppers, tomatoes, and spicy yogurt—or the orange falafel—made with sweet potatoes, cabbage, honey, and ginger tahini—preserve the basic formula of ground legumes, seasoned and fried in oil. The world’s largest falafel, weighing 74.8 kilograms [164.8 pounds] and reaching 152 centimeters [59.8 inches] in height, was fried for 25 minutes at the Landmark Hotel in Amman, Jordan.

Happy chickpea season!

[9A]

July 6, 2018

World Cup 2018 - Day 20




The 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia is underway! Over the next month, players from the men's national teams of 32 countries will compete for top rank across 12 venues in 11 cities around the country. With a total of 64 matches [and plenty of GOOOALS!], the games will culminate at Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow on July 15.

This year's Doodle series celebrates the rich cultures and talent of all 32 participating countries by featuring guest artists hailing from each nation! Tune in to catch all 32 Doodles throughout the games, each illustrating the artist's interpretation of "What ⚽ looks like in my country."


Today's Featured Artists


Belgium – Sam Vanallemeersch

Brazil – Pedro Vergani

Q: What does ⚽ mean in your country?

A: Football in Brazil is a state of mind, a moment when the country gathers to celebrate [or cry] together. It is an expression of an important part of our culture; it is art, rhythm, dance, hard work, teamwork, and a dash of cheekiness.

France – Helene Leroux

Uruguay – Macarena Campos

[9A]

January 17, 2022

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day 2022



Today’s Doodle, illustrated by Brooklyn, New York-based guest artist Olivia Fields, celebrates Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day. This United States federal holiday commemorates a day of service and reflection on the life and work of Dr. King—the civil rights leader who worked as a lifelong advocate for racial equality and the end of segregation.

The Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was born in Atlanta, Georgia on January 15, 1929. He began his career of service in Montgomery, Alabama as a pastor and community leader in the NAACP, which aimed to establish legal protections for the Black community across all aspects of social and institutional life. Members of the NAACP elected Dr. King to fight segregation by leading a historic bus boycott in 1955. As the first, large-scale, peaceful demonstration of its kind, the Montgomery Bus Boycotts marked a turning point in the American civil rights movement and inspired generations to fight for civil rights.

Through influential demonstrations, speeches, and written works, Dr. King spread his message of racial justice and economic equality. His efforts culminated with the passage of the 1964 Civil Rights Act, a landmark piece of legislation that decreed the end of legal public segregation and discrimination in the United States. In commemoration of Dr. King’s birthday, the third Monday in January was declared a federal holiday in 1983 and observed for the first time in 1986.

Dr. King’s legacy lives on in the work of his children and in the millions inspired by his impactful rhetoric to continue pushing the arc of the moral universe to an equitable society for all.

Happy MLK Day!

[9A]

January 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.

[9A]

January 21, 2019

Martin Luther King Jr. Day 2019




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]

January 15, 2018

Martin Luther King Jr. Day 2018





Today we celebrate the life and legacy of Martin Luther King Jr., Baptist minister, Nobel Laureate, and civil rights activist who dedicated his life working tirelessly for peace, social justice, and opportunity for all Americans - irrespective of color or creed.

On November 2, 1983, President Ronald Reagan signed a bill creating a federal holiday to honor Dr. King. It was federally observed for the first time on January 20, 1986, and over 30 years later, the day is traditionally celebrated as a day of service, with people volunteering time and talent to help others, thus paying homage to Dr. King’s legacy.

Today’s Doodle by guest artist Cannaday Chapman was also developed in collaboration with the Black Googlers Network [[BGN), one of the largest employee resource groups at Google. The image depicts a young girl perched on her father’s shoulders, enthralled by the power and eloquence of Dr. King’s words. The scene is evocative of Dr. King’s dream for children everywhere to one day live in a better world.

[9A]

January 16, 2017

Martin Luther King Jr. Day 2017



Today's Doodle, by guest artist Keith Mallett, captures one of the major themes of King's speeches and writing: unity. "All life is interrelated," he said. "We are all made to live together." King urged Americans of all races to keep "working toward a world of brotherhood, cooperation, and peace."

Martin Luther King Jr. may seem like the sort of leader who comes along only once every century or so, but King himself would disagree with that notion. He taught that we are all capable of lighting the way to "the bright daybreak of freedom and justice," and that we can unite to show that "love is the most durable power in the world."

[9A]

January 18, 2016

Martin Luther King Jr. Day 2016



Today's doodle honors Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., a Baptist minister, community activist, philosopher and humanitarian. His leadership of the American Civil Rights movement, Nobel Peace Prize for non-violent civil disobedience in the face of racial injustice, and eventual martyrdom for the cause, cements his place as a hero for peace and justice worldwide.

One of his most powerful tools was his ability to communicate poignant truths in beautiful and moving speeches, which guest artist Richie Pope highlighted in our doodle today. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. moved our country forward by committing to bettering the lives of American citizens, no matter their race. He told us, "Faith is taking the first step even when you don't see the whole staircase." Today we're inspired to keep working towards a better future with grace and optimism.

[9A]

January 19, 2015

Martin Luther King, Jr. Day 2015


We take a moment to celebrate a man who settled for nothing less then peace, love and justice–and forever changed the United States. Guest artist Ekua Holmes depicts Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. standing in unity on our doodle to honor MLK Day.

[9A]

Jan 14, 2012

National Children's Day 2012





As doodlers, messing with the company logo is part of our job, but every once in a while we really get to mess with it by making it virtually unreadable! Since Children's Day is traditionally all about having lots of fun being kids, we tend to make this annual doodle a little – well, extra fun. But for those who crave neatness or are just curious as to where exactly the letters are hidden, here you go!





And for you art nerds out there [we're a tech company after all], this second image shows the "movement" throughout the illustration. I, uh, totally meant to do that...


posted by Mike Dutton

[9A]

January 14, 2021

Petr Semenov-Tian-Shansky's 194th Birthday



Today’s Doodle celebrates the multi-talented Russian geographer, author, and statistician Petr Petrovich Semenov-Tian-Shansky. A pioneering explorer of Asia’s Tien Shan mountain system, Semenov made huge strides in varied fields including geography, botany, statistics, and economics—all while amassing a comprehensive collection of Dutch and Flemish artwork and over 700,00 insects.

Petr Petrovich Semenov was born into a wealthy family on this day in 1827 near the city of Ryazan in Western Russia. He took an interest in botany and history as a child and went on to study natural sciences at St. Petersburg University. Following his graduation, he was admitted to the prestigious Russian Geographical Society, where he set out to translate work by the famous German geographer Karl Ritter. It was this project that first inspired Semenov to explore Central Asia’s Tien Shan mountain range, which was almost entirely uncharted by western scientists.

In 1856, Semenov embarked on his legendary first expedition of the Tien Shan. Over the course of two journeys, he classified enormous areas of mountainous terrain, and discovered eight new plant species. After his return, Semenov was elected vice president of the Russian Geographical Society and encouraged a new generation to follow in his footsteps as explorers. Semenov became a senator in 1882 and went on to spearhead Russia’s first population census in 1897.

In honor of his geographic accomplishments, Semenov was given the honorific title of Tian-Shansky on the 50-year anniversary of his iconic excursion.

Happy birthday to a fearless adventurer who reached the highest peaks of scientific progress.

[9A]

January 14, 2007

Dr. Martin Luther King Day 2007

[9A]

January 16, 2018

Teachers' Day 2018 [Thailand]

[9A]

May 19, 2020

Nicholas Winton's 111th Birthday





Today’s Doodle celebrates the 111th birthday of British humanitarian Sir Nicholas Winton, who organized the escape of over 600 children from German-occupied Czechoslovakia in the lead-up to World War II.

Nicholas Winton was born Nicholas George Wertheim in London, England on this day in 1909. In 1938, with World War II looming over Europe, Winton was inspired to do something to help.

He set in motion a huge rescue effort to save primarily Jewish children from the threat of German occupation in present-day Czechia by transporting them to Britain. The dangerous operation required Winton and his collaborators to find homes for the children with British families, raise money, bribe officials, and even forge documents. In March 1939, the first train left Prague, and over the next few months, a total of 669 children were rescued to safety.

For nearly 50 years, the world knew nothing of what Winton had done – not even his wife. That all changed in 1988, when she discovered documents in their attic referencing the daring rescues. Today, Winton’s story serves as an shining example of the power of selfless action to bring about incredible change.

Special thanks to Nicholas Winton’s Family.





In 2003, he was knighted by Queen Elizabeth II for Services to Humanity. However, he always protested that he only did what anyone would have done had they witnessed the conditions in those refugee camps in 1939. He continued all his life to do charity work to help others and believed it was the most satisfying and meaningful way for anyone to spend their time.



In 1988, the story became public via a TV programme, “That’s Life!”, where Nicholas was reunited with some of those children, now in their 60s, who had not known till then how they had come to be saved. From then on, until his death in 2015 aged 106, he met hundreds of ‘his’ children, along with their own children and grandchildren. Many became close friends.

Nicholas Winton’s primary legacy is the 669 children rescued and their descendants: approximately 7000 people who are alive today because of that Kindertransport. However, his story is also about individuals taking action when a need is seen, and his family believes his legacy is also one of inspiration.

[9A]

May 25, 2020

Kazi Nazrul Islam’s 121st Birthday




Today’s Doodle celebrates Bengali poet, musician, writer, and activist Kazi Nazrul Islam on his 121st birthday. A prominent voice of the Indian independence movement, Nazrul was a fierce advocate for religious tolerance, freedom, and the fight against injustice, earning him the nickname “Bidrohi Kobi” [“Rebel Poet].

Kazi Nazrul Islam was born on this day in 1899 in what is today the Bardhaman district of the Indian state of West Bengal, and as a youth, he developed an interest in poetry and literature through his involvement with his uncle’s traveling theater group. After several years in the British Indian Army during World War I, Nazrul moved to Kolkata and in 1922 published his now-famous revolutionary poem “Bidrohi” [“The Rebel”], which was marked by a vehement stance against colonialism and global oppression and inspired today’s Doodle artwork.

Nazrul’s subversive writing—much of which he published in his own magazine, Dhumketu [The Comet]—resulted in frequent imprisonment, which in turn inspired one of his most well-known works, “Rajbondir Jobanbondi'' [''The Deposition of a Political Prisoner,” 1923]. He used his platform to combat bigotry in all its forms, and through his poetry supported the equality of women at a time when few of his peers were willing to do the same. Not to be confined to the written word, Nazrul also wrote some 4,000 songs, which brought him national popularity and spawned an entirely new genre called Nazrul Geeti [Music of Nazrul].

For his incredible literary contributions, Nazrul was named the national poet of Bangladesh in 1972.

[9A]

October 8, 2021

Ivan Piddubny's 150th Birthday



Few professional wrestlers enjoy a career lasting over 40 years, and many fewer retire undefeated from every tournament in which they’ve competed. Today’s Doodle celebrates a world champion Ukrainian wrestler who accomplished both—Ivan Piddubny.

Ivan Piddubny was born on this day in 1871 in the small village of Krasenivka in what is now central Ukraine. The young Piddubny developed his grit and brute strength by throwing haystacks into carts and plowing the land on his family farm. After leaving home at 17 in search of a better life, Piddubny found work in the ports of the Crimean town of Feodosia. While spectating a Greco-Roman wrestling match hosted by a touring circus that visited the port town, he decided to put his strength to the test.

Piddubny requested to join a match and to everyone’s amazement, he defeated every opponent—including a handful of famous world-class contenders. Piddubny joined the circus as an indomitable wrestler in 1897, marking the start of a whirlwind career entertaining audiences around the globe. By 1906, he was the first wrestler to win two world championships. The winning streak continued with six world titles that earned him prestigious names such as “The Champion of Champions.” He astounded onlookers and fellow athletes alike with both his Herculean strength and unheard of longevity—even winning the 1926 American championship at 55!

Although he retired in 1941 at the age of 70, his powerful legacy endures as many Ukrainians are known to still say “like Piddubny” to describe someone's strength.

Happy birthday, Ivan Piddubny. Here’s to an athlete who turned the world of wrestling upside-down!

[9A]

July 2, 2018

Athos Bulcão’s 100th Birthday



Today’s Doodle is rendered in the style of one of Brazil’s great public artists, Athos Bulcão, who would have been 100 years old today. Born in Rio De Janeiro, Bulcão was trained as a doctor but fell in love with art. His change of career transformed the visual landscape of Brazil with his vibrant and colorful tile designs.

Bulcão also designed album covers and book jackets, but is best known for his work on large-scale surfaces including hallways, auditoriums, and outdoor walls. He approached his work with an open mind and a playful spirit, unconcerned about having the last word. One of his trademark mosaic techniques involved creating a variety of abstract geometric tiles, then hiring construction teams to install them without any instructions.

Working closely with Oscar Niemayer, the main architect of Brasília, and city planner Lucio Costa, Bulcão helped realize their vision of the city as a work of art unto itself. Built from the ground up in 1956, Brasília replaced Rio De Janeiro as the Brazil’s capital in 1960. Today it stands as a definitive example of “tropical modernism,” with Bulcão’s artwork integrated into many of the buildings and public areas.

Later in life Bulcão infused Brazilian embassies, hospitals, theaters, schools, and homes with his vivid designs. His legacy lives on through the Fundação Athos Bulcão, created in Brasília in 1992 to document, preserve, and promote his work, as well as to facilitate education for young artists.

Happy birthday Athos Bulcão! Feliz Aniversário!

[9A]

December 28, 2019

Thanpuying Puangroi Apaiwong's 105th Birthday




Today’s Doodle celebrates Thai composer Thanpuying Puangroi Apaiwong on her 105th birthday. Of her more than 100 compositions, she is best known for the classic “Bua Kao” [“White Lotus”], which was awarded as “Song of Asia” by UNESCO in 1979 and made her a staple in the national repertoire.

Born Mom Puangroi Sanit Wong in Bangkok on this day in 1914, she learned to play the piano and the guitar at a young age. Composing and playing tunes for her family, she showed an undoubted passion and went on to study music at Trinity College London.

During the first half of the twentieth century, as foreign music like Western classical and jazz gained popularity, a new genre named Phleng Thai sakon [roughly translating to "international-style Thai music"] arose. The genre blended elements from traditional Thai music with instruments of Western classical, and Apaiwong became one of its leading artists. She composed music for plays and movies, for the royal family, and for special national occasions.

Apaiwong devoted her life to music, playing weekly for nearly 22 years with a group of classical musicians to raise funds for various educational institutions. She was also awarded the Performing Arts award by the Board of National Culture in 1986, as well as five royal decorations for her contributions.

สุขสันต์วันเกิด, Thanpuying Puangroi Apaiwong!

[9A]

January 26, 2018

Australia Day 2018



Today’s Doodle celebrates the unique and beautiful national parks that bring Australians together.

Australia has more than 500 national parks, each populated with extraordinary plants and animals you won’t find anywhere else. For example, millions of people flock to Port Campbell National Park and Twelve Apostles Marine National Park [featured in today's Doodle] for the stunning scenery.

Located along the southwest coast of Victoria, the parks’ cliffside viewpoints overlook their most iconic sight: seven pillars of stacked limestone, battered by wind and waves, that still rise above the crashing surf to give the marine national park its name.

But below the surface, the full force of the Southern Ocean has created a seascape of canyons, caves, arches, and fissures. Nutrients delivered by perpetually churning waves provide the energy needed to maintain the subtidal and intertidal reefs, which support the greatest diversity of invertebrates on limestone reef in Victoria.

Swirling kelp forests are home to sea urchins, lobsters, and abalone, while a little deeper, the offshore reefs are inhabited by colorful sponges, and of course, fish. This marine metropolis is visited by the flippered forms of local fur seals and commuting little penguins.

Back on the beach, lucky human visitors may spot the rare hooded plover feeding at the water’s edge [also featured in today's Doodle]. The bird is one of the continent’s tens of thousands of endemic species — i.e., found only in Australia — that call the parks and surrounding areas home.

Happy Australia Day 2018!

[9A]

January 26, 2015

Australia Day 2015

[9A]

January 26, 2006

Mozart's 250th Birthday



Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, baptised as Johannes Chrysostomus Wolfgangus Theophilus Mozart, was a prolific and influential composer of the Classical period. Despite his short life, his rapid pace of composition resulted in more than 600 works of virtually every genre of his time. Many of these compositions are acknowledged as pinnacles of the symphonic, concertante, chamber, operatic, and choral repertoire. Mozart was among the greatest composers in the history of Western music, and his elder colleague Joseph Haydn wrote: "posterity will not see such a talent again in 100 years".

Born in Salzburg, in the Holy Roman Empire, Mozart showed prodigious ability from his earliest childhood. Already competent on keyboard and violin, he composed from the age of five and performed before European royalty, embarking on a grand tour and then three trips to Italy. At 17, Mozart was engaged as a musician at the Salzburg court but grew restless and travelled in search of a better position.

While visiting Vienna in 1781, he was dismissed from his Salzburg position. He chose to stay in Vienna, where he achieved fame but little financial security. During his final years in Vienna, he composed many of his best-known symphonies, concertos, and operas, and portions of the Requiem, which was largely unfinished at the time of his early death at the age of 35. The circumstances of his death are largely uncertain, and have thus been much mythologized.

[9A]

January 26, 2019

Australia Day 2019




Today’s Doodle celebrates the natural beauty of the Fitzgerald River National Park, located on Western Australia’s rugged south coast. The land around the coastal hills known as “the Barrens” is teeming with life. Stretching across the Shires of Ravensthorpe and the Jerramungup, the park protects one of the most biodiverse regions in the world.

More than 1,800 species of plants live in the park—75 of which cannot be found anywhere else in the world. The park is also home to 184 bird species, 41 reptile species, 12 frog species, and 22 mammal species, including the adorable honey possum featured in today’s Doodle. These mouse-sized marsupials, also known as “Noolbenger,” have prehensile tails longer than their bodies, pointed snouts, and long tongues covered with bristles to help them drink nectar from native flowers like the Banksia. Tiny but thirsty, one honey possum can drink up to 7 milliliters of nectar per day—roughly equivalent to a human drinking 50 liters of soda! They also help the plants reproduce by spreading pollen as they feast. ​

[9A]

January 26, 2018

Wilder Penfield’s 127th birthday




You don’t have to be a brain surgeon to know why we’re celebrating Wilder Penfield’s 127th birthday today, but it doesn’t hurt! Penfield was once considered “the greatest living Canadian” for his trailblazing advancements in mapping the brain and brain surgery techniques to treat epilepsy.

A Rhodes scholar trained at Oxford and Princeton, Penfield believed studying medicine was “the best way to make the world a better place.” Penfield later became Montreal’s first neurosurgeon and established the Montreal Neurological Institute in 1934.

By 1950, he experimented with using electrical probes to treat seizure activity in the brain while a patient was fully awake. This surgery, called the Montreal Procedure, led to a greater discovery: stimulating certain physical parts of the brain could evoke memory recall, like the smell of burnt toast [depicted in today’s Doodle]. Penfield’s contributions to modern neuroscience elevated Canada’s global status in healthcare, science, and discovery while his innovations created better lives for people with epilepsy.

In later years, Penfield became an author and a champion of university education and childhood bilingualism, commemorated by the Montreal streets, schools, and universities that bear his name. He was awarded the Lister Medal for surgical science and was inducted into the Canadian Medical Hall of Fame. He also became a cultural icon when Philip Dick’s novel, Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?, described the fictional Penfield Mood Organ, a device used to change a mood by “dialing it in” on a number pad.

Happy 127th birthday, Wilder Penfield!

[9A]

January 26, 2013

Australia Day 2013

[9A]

January 26, 2019

India Republic Day 2019




The Constitution of India came into force on this day in 1950, an anniversary celebrated each year as Republic Day. Republic Day is one of only three national holidays celebrated all across India, the other two being Independence Day on August 15 and Mahatma Gandhi’s birthday on October 2.

Although India’s constitution was adopted in November 1949, the date January 26 was chosen for the document to take effect, because it commemorates Pūrna Swarāj Day, which took place exactly 20 years earlier. On January 26, 1930, the Indian National Congress issued a bold resolution declaring complete freedom from the British Raj. From that point, it was only a matter of time before Independence Day, followed by full sovereignty.

Celebrations take place all across the subcontinent, with the epicenter in the capital city of Delhi, where a parade runs along Rajpath near the President’s Palace. Today's guest artist, Reshidev RK, recreated the colorful celebrations and depicted the famous parade floats that decorate the city, each representing a different component of India’s history: environment, architecture, textiles, wildlife, monuments, and farming. Observances last for four days, coming to a conclusion on January 29th with the Beating Retreat ceremony, featuring the bands of the Indian Army, Navy, and Air Force.

Happy Republic Day, India!

[9A]

January 26, 2016

India Republic Day 2016




Deep within the massive Thar Desert, a unique group of guards dutifully patrols the India-Pakistan border. But they’re not, as you might expect, stationed on foot.

Each guard, a member of India’s Border Security Force, rides high above the ground on a stately camel. And each year, without fail, a caravan of these mounted troops is “deployed” to Rajpath in New Delhi to march in the Republic Day parade, a festive celebration of the Indian constitution. The presence of these guards is now a long-standing tradition; this is the 66th year in which the BSF camel contingent will appear before all of India.

In honor of today’s Republic Day, Artist Robinson Wood created today’s Google Doodle as a tribute to this colorful set of 54 guards and 34 musicians, all sitting tall atop proudly-strutting quadrupeds!

[9A]

January 26, 2016

Australia National Day 2016 - D4G AU Winner - Ineka Voigt


Doodle for Google Australia Winner 2015

For the last 10 years we’ve been running the Doodle 4 Google program in Australia -- an opportunity for school-age artists to apply their own personal artistic vision to the Google logo and transform it into a work of art. The winners then have their artwork placed on the Google Australia homepage for all to see. It’s like a young artist’s work being pinned on the biggest fridge in the country.

Past winners included Olivia Kong from Hornsby Girls High School in 2013 with her vision for “If I was an explorer”, and in 2011 Timothy Winkels from Padua College in Victoria with his vision of “My Future Australia”.

“If I was an explorer” by Olivia Hong


“My Future Australia” by Timothy Winkels

Doodle 4 Google 2015 was won by Ineka Voigt from Canberra High School in ACT, for her entry “Stolen Dreamtime”. In response to the theme of “If I could travel back in time I would …” Ineka wrote that “... I would reunite mother and child. A weeping mother sits in an ochre desert, dreaming of her children and a life that never was ...all that remains is red sand, tears and the whispers of her stolen dreamtime”.

Judges this year included leading artist Bronwyn Bancroft and ARTEXPRESS curator Leeanne Carr, who along with Google’s other judges agreed that Ineka’s tremendous art work deserved pride of place on the Google homepage. It’s a powerful and beautiful image that is not only a brilliant artwork, but helps bring attention to the critical issue of reconciliation in Australia. We’re proud to have it on our homepage today.

Posted by Leticia Lentini, Brand and Events Marketing Manager, Google Australia

[9A]

January 21, 2008

Dr. Martin Luther King Day 2008

[9A]

January 21, 2013

Dr. Martin Luther King Day 2013







"Darkness cannot drive out darkness, only light can do that."

With this MLK quote in mind I set out to visually find a way to capture light. I also wanted to try a fresh approach to a portrait. I had some initial sketches in my sketchbook along with studies of a girl "thinking" whilst working in an internet cafe. Her hand gestures were going to link to MLK in a thoughtful pose, although ultimately I felt the hand wasn't needed.

I spotted another girl with uniquely angular hair. I thought this sharp angled approach would solve the tonal breakdown on MLK's face in striking clarity.

Inspiration for color came from walking the streets of San Francisco noting various types of graffiti. This also led to the strength of pose, almost like a mural.

[9A]

Feb 3, 2010

Norman Rockwell's 106th Birthday - © 1926 SEPS by Curtis Publishing




Norman Percevel Rockwell was an American painter and illustrator. His works have a broad popular appeal in the United States for their reflection of American culture. Rockwell is most famous for the cover illustrations of everyday life he created for The Saturday Evening Post magazine over nearly five decades. Among the best-known of Rockwell's works are the Willie Gillis series, Rosie the Riveter, The Problem We All Live With, Saying Grace, and the Four Freedoms series. He is also noted for his 64-year relationship with the Boy Scouts of America [BSA], during which he produced covers for their publication Boys' Life, calendars, and other illustrations. These works include popular images that reflect the Scout Oath and Scout Law such as The Scoutmaster, A Scout is Reverent and A Guiding Hand, among many others.

Rockwell was a prolific artist, producing more than 4,000 original works in his lifetime. Most of his surviving works are in public collections. Rockwell was also commissioned to illustrate more than 40 books, including Tom Sawyer and Huckleberry Finn as well as painting the portraits for Presidents Eisenhower, Kennedy, Johnson, and Nixon, as well as those of foreign figures, including Gamal Abdel Nasser and Jawaharlal Nehru. His portrait subjects included Judy Garland. One of his last portraits was of Colonel Sanders in 1973. His annual contributions for the Boy Scouts calendars between 1925 and 1976 [Rockwell was a 1939 recipient of the Silver Buffalo Award, the highest adult award given by the Boy Scouts of America], were only slightly overshadowed by his most popular of calendar works: the "Four Seasons" illustrations for Brown & Bigelow that were published for 17 years beginning in 1947 and reproduced in various styles and sizes since 1964. He created artwork for advertisements for Coca-Cola, Jell-O, General Motors, Scott Tissue, and other companies. Illustrations for booklets, catalogs, posters [particularly movie promotions], sheet music, stamps, playing cards, and murals [including "Yankee Doodle Dandy" and "God Bless the Hills", which was completed in 1936 for the Nassau Inn in Princeton, New Jersey] rounded out Rockwell's œuvre as an illustrator.

[9A]

February 7, 2012

Charles Dickens' 200th Birthday




We have quite a number of characters who showed up today to help celebrate Charles Dickens' 200th birthday. Twelve recognizable ones at least. This naturally made for a pretty busy doodle, and while we managed to squeeze in a few extra pixels to make the logo slightly larger than usual, we thought it'd be kind of nice to show you a couple close-ups here.







Of course, arriving at the final image was a slight technical challenge [as crowd scenes depicted at 500 pixels wide tend to be]. So I worked a bit at making the overall shapes and gestures of each character recognizable even at small sizes. For example, Scrooge's back is drawn exaggeratedly hunched over. Tiny Tim looks even smaller compared to the ghostly apparitions in the sky behind him. Pip's arm is tucked behind him, and he looks meek compared to Estella, who towers over him.




The drawings themselves were actually drawn on several sheets of vellum, then sliced up and arranged just so.

And while good looking art is always a goal, so is authenticity. So we met with other Googlers who happen to be big Dickens' fans, including the Google Books team, to gain a better understanding of Dickens' work – whether is was to learn more about his overarching themes, or which characters could sneak in an appearance. In fact, you can visit the Books blog to read a few of their thoughts as well as to get a little more of an in-depth look at the making of this doodle.

Happy 200th, Charles Dickens!

posted by Mike Dutton

[9A]

Feb 11, 2012

May Ziade's 126th Birthday


May Elias Ziadeh was a Lebanese-Palestinian poet, essayist, and translator, who wrote different works in Arabic and in French

After attending school in her native Nazareth and in Lebanon, Ziadeh immigrated with her family to Egypt in 1908, and started publishing her works in French [under the pen name Isis Copia] in 1911. Kahlil Gibran entered into a well-known correspondence with her in 1912. A prolific writer, she wrote for Arabic-language newspapers and periodicals, along with publishing poems and books. She held one of the most famous literary salons in the modern Arab world in 1921.

Ziadeh is considered to have been a key figure of the Nahda in the early 20th-century Arab literary scene and a "pioneer of Oriental feminism."

[9A]

January 17, 2022

Forges' 80th Birthday



Today’s Doodle celebrates Spanish cartoonist, author, television writer, and film director Antonio Fraguas de Pablo–better known by his pen name Forges–who is widely considered among the nation’s most significant graphic humorists of his era. In his signature style of simple, thick, black outlines, Forges provided the Spanish public with a satirical yet compassionate lens into some 50 years of the country’s history.

Antonio Fraguas de Pablo was born in Madrid, Spain on this day in 1942, and from a young age, he knew he wanted to become a cartoonist. At 14, he began to work as a technician for the public broadcaster Televisión Española, and while there, he published his first cartoon in the newspaper Pueblo in 1964. He continued to publish his cartoons over the following years, and in 1973, he finally left his job to realize his childhood dream of becoming a full-time cartoonist.

Forges quickly rose in popularity, filling newspaper pages with a subversive cast of cartoon characters who helped the public to process an unfolding evolution in Spanish society. Over the decades that followed, he put out many thousands of cartoons that explored everything from new technology to the discovery of the Higgs boson particle. A true creative powerhouse, Forges also directed films, wrote scripts for television comedies, published books of cartoons, and even wrote a novel.

Forges received countless accolades throughout his career, including Spain’s Gold Medal for Merit in Fine Arts in 2011.

[9A]

January 19, 2016

Sophie Taeuber-Arp’s 127th Birthday




Gracing the face of every Swiss 50 franc bill is the straightforward gaze of a dark-eyed woman. Behind this serious portrait lies one of Switzerland's most colorful artists: Sophie Taeuber-Arp, whose 127th birthday we celebrate today!

Taeuber-Arp was a Swiss artist, designer, architect and dancer. Notably, she’s one of the most important artists of geometric abstraction – her minimalistic style, which is reflected in her textile artwork, marionettes, interiors, drawings, paintings, reliefs and sculptures, makes her distinguished amongst other artists of the early 20th century. Together with her husband, Dadaist artist Hans Arp, she permanently moved to France in the late 1920’s.

Today’s doodle, by artist Mark Holmes, was a grand artistic experiment in itself. In his words:

‘Doodling’ other artists gives us the chance to truly appreciate their work through the study and deconstruction of their art. Our challenge, of course, is to reinterpret the work and integrate it with our ubiquitous ‘Google’ in a manner that remains faithful to the artist’s spirit without being a simple reproduction of their work, or so modified that it is unrecognizable.

[9A]

January 19, 2016

José Alfredo Jiménez’s 90th Birthday





Today’s homepage features the beloved Mexican folk musician José Alfredo Jiménez, who was born in the state of Guanajuato on January 19th, 1926. The astoundingly prolific mariachi, whose songs have rung out at parties and mended broken hearts for over half a century, would have celebrated his 90th birthday today. Feliz cumpleaños, José.

[9A]

January 19, 2009

Dr. Martin Luther King Day 2009, by Shepard Fairey / Studio Number One

[9A]

October 17, 2018

Chiquinha Gonzaga’s 171st Birthday





Born on this day in Rio de Janeiro in, 1847, Francisca Edwiges Neves Gonzaga [famously known as Chiquinha Gonzaga] showed an affinity for music from childhood. Playing the piano by age 11, she studied music with the maestro Elias Álvares Lobo. When she was 16, her parents insisted she enter an arranged marriage, which ended after her husband insisted she devote herself either to him or to music. At a time when independent women faced major social pressure, Gonzaga sacrificed everything to follow her musical ambitions. She would go on to become the first female conductor in South America and one of the most important figures in Brazilian music history.

For a woman to make a living as a professional musician in nineteenth-century Brazil was unheard of, but Gonzaga persisted, composing 77 operettas and more than 2,000 songs. “Atraente,” published in 1881, may be her best-loved composition, ushering in a sound that would come to be known as “choro.” With her peerless piano skills and gift for improvisation, Gonzaga pioneered this upbeat blend of jazz, waltz, polka, and Afro-Brazilian beats.

On January 17, 1885, Gonzaga made her debut as a conductor with her piece, “Palhares Ribeiro, A Corte na Roça.” Despite the popularity of her music, Gonzaga faced resistance as a woman in a male-dominated business. Often performing with a group headed by her close friend, the flutist Joaquim Antônio da Silva Callado Jr., and including her son João Gualberto on clarinet, Gonzaga managed to thrive in the face of adversity, inspiring others to follow in her footsteps.

During the late 1880s Gonzaga threw her support behind the abolitionist movement, selling her sheet music to raise funds, she paid for the freedom of the enslaved musician Zé Flauta. Her 1899 Carnival march “O abre alas!” [Open Wings] was an homage to freedom. In 1917 she co-founded the artists’ rights society SBAT to ensure that songwriters received a fair share of income from their compositions.

Gonzaga’s legacy lives on as one of Brazil’s most celebrated musical legends. She broke down barriers and directly impacted the development of music in her homeland. Fittingly, Gonzaga’s birthday is now the official National Day of Brazilian Popular Music [Dia da Música Popular Brasileira].

Feliz aniversário Chiquinha Gonzaga!

[9A]

October 17, 2017

Celebrating Selena Quintanilla




Today we celebrate Selena Quintanilla: Mexican-American music & entertainment icon, fashion trendsetter, passionate entrepreneur, community philanthropist, and one of the people who taught me growing up that no matter who you are or where you come from, anything is possible.

Born in Lake Jackson, Texas on April 16, 1971, Selena’s talent shone from an early age. Strumming Nat King Cole’s “I’m in the Mood for Love” on guitar, Selena’s Father listened to his daughter sing along, and immediately knew the bright future before her.

With encouragement from their father, nine year old Selena and her older siblings A.B. [guitar] and Suzette [drums] formed the beginnings of the Tejano sensation Selena y Los Dinos. Born in Texas, Tejano music [or “Tex-Mex”] blends Mexican and American sub-genres like pop, polka, ranchera, and cumbia. Widely popular across the TX/Mexico border since the 1800s, Selena y Los Dinos’ infectious brand of Tejano music popularized the genre to audiences globally.

First playing at the family restaurant, quiceañeras, and fairs, the band’s humble beginnings - including sitting on equipment due to the lack of formal seating in their inaugural tour bus “Big Bertha - eventually led to high profile touring. But they also fought through hard times and adversity. In fact, Selena was frequently discriminated against in the male-dominated music genre, and some venues even refused to book the band for shows.

Despite all this, Selena’s talent, energy, and perseverance easily won the hearts of a rapidly growing fan base. In 1986 she was awarded the Tejano Music award for “Female Vocalist of the Year,” catapulting Selena y los Dinos to Tejano stardom. Other milestones followed, solidifying Selena’s legacy as “The Queen of Tejano.” She released her first studio album with Capitol EMI [self-titled “Selena”] on this day in 1989, consistently straddled the top of the billboard charts, and won a Grammy for best Mexican/American album of 1993 -- the first female and youngest Tejano artist to win the award.

Selena was also much more than a talented musician. A fashionista and trendsetter, she often designed and created entire outfits for her performance wardrobe. In her free time, she was also active in community service, including being a strong advocate for education.

Most importantly, Selena became a beacon of inspiration and hope for the Latinx, immigrant, and bicultural communities around the globe. Her story of embracing and celebrating all parts of her cultural heritage and persevering in the face of adversity forged an emotional connection with millions.

As the daughter of a Mexican immigrant single mom living in a small [primarily white] town in rural Texas, I was one of the people Selena and her legacy profoundly influenced. My love of music started with her. One of my dearest childhood memories is of my mom and I belting Bidi Bidi Bom Bom and Techno Cumbia in the family van during our annual road trips to Mexico. I even sang Selena classics in talent shows across northeast Texas [photo evidence below, courtesy of my Mom].

Aside from incredible dance moves and how to belt some serious notes, watching Selena taught me that being Latina was a powerful thing, and that with hard work and focus I could do whatever I set my mind to. Watching her showed me that this hybrid cultural identity of mine was a valuable gift I should embrace. Watching her made me proud of being Mexicana.

It’s incredible that Selena’s legacy grows even larger with time. She continues to show Latinx, immigrants, and bicultural communities around the world to be proud of who they are and to embrace their differences. Also, to work hard for your dreams because doing so makes your achievements that much more meaningful.

So the best thing I can say is thank you, Selena. Thank you for being a role model and a hero to a little Latina girl in Granbury, Texas. Thank you for teaching her that she could dream big and make it. And thank you for all the inspiration and joy your music and legacy continues to bring to the world.

Siempre Selena