Google doodles

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Mar 09, 2016

Total Solar Eclipse 2016




It's a bird, it's a plane, it's a total solar eclipse! A solar eclipse happens when the moon's orbit crosses between the Earth and the Sun, as Doodler Olivia When shows in today's animation. Because the moon blocks the Sun's light, it casts a shadow on part of the world. In Hawaii, only about 63% of the Sun will be blocked, which is called a Partial Solar Eclipse.

Today, the total solar eclipse will fall on the south Pacific Ocean and parts of Indonesia, Sumatra, Borneo and the islands of Sulawesi and Halmahera. These countries will be able to see the moon block the Sun this evening, around 5:30 local time.

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May 21, 2012


Japanese Annular Eclipse

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Jun 15, 2011

Total Lunar Eclipse. Live imagery provided by Slooh.




We’re always fascinated by the unique wonders of space and the world—what can we say, it’s the geek in us! Naturally, when we learned that part of the world will be treated to a rare 100-minute long total lunar eclipse starting at 11:20am PDT today, we were both excited and disappointed that this rare occasion wouldn’t be visible from our Mountain View campus likelast year’s eclipse. We suspect we aren’t alone, so you’ll be glad to know that we’ve worked with Slooh Space Camera to let you experience the spectacle wherever you are in the world, in real time.

Slooh will host a live mission interface using Google App Engine that lets anyone not lucky enough to live in certain areas [South America, Europe, Africa, Asia and Australia] take part in this rare astronomical event. It’s equipped with audio narrations from real-life astronomers so you can hear a firsthand, expert account of the event. You can also watch the live stream on the Google YouTube Channel or from the Sky layer in Google Earth [download this kml], while exploring the fascinating world that exists in our galaxy. Finally, those of you on the go can download the Slooh Space Camera Android app to view the images right on your phone.

If you're fortunate enough to be able to view this event in the sky, we hope you'll get the chance to step outside and indulge in the spectacle. For everyone else, we hope our moon madness helps brighten your day.

Update 11:23 PDT: Starting now, if you visit the Google homepage you’ll see a special interactive doodle, which will update throughout the day to show the latest state of the moon. Lunar imagery provided by Slooh.

Posted by Noel Gorelick, Chief Extraterrestrial Observer and Technical Lead in Special Projects

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Apr 06, 2024

Francis García's 66th Birthday





This Doodle celebrates Mexican artist, drag queen, dancer, and actress Francis García. She was one of the first trans entertainers to become a national public figure through media appearances, including her own TV show.

Francis’s mother and aunt, two of her biggest supporters, taught Francis how to sew when she was young. She pursued costume design and made clothes for carnivals and fairs, and started working at a dress store in Mexico City at only 17. She performed as a drag queen and danced in vedette shows at the Blanquita Theater, where she was discovered. National recognition came after she was cast in the famous Mexican movie, Bellas de Noche.

Following the success of her first movie, Francis landed her own show, El Show de Francis, which became popular across Mexico and the United States. Loving every moment in the spotlight, her performances included ballads in beautiful self-designed gowns, dazzling Vegas showgirl-style dance numbers, and hilarious celebrity impersonations. The show ran from 1980-1998 and was one of the most popular shows run by a trans person.

Francis appeared in several films and shows throughout her career and was best known for her roles in Los Relajadores [The Relaxed Ones], De Super Macho a Super Hembra [From Super Male to Super Female], and Desde Gayola [From Gayola]. The Campeche Carnival in her hometown named Francis their “Queen of Queens” in 2005, and her mother maintained a museum that honored her and displayed her elaborate costumes for years. She was one of the first openly LGBTQ+ celebrities in the country and advocated for equal rights throughout her entire life.

Happy birthday Francis! Thank you for all the love, entertainment, and joy you brought to the stage and screen!

—

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Nov 02, 2023

Carmen Amaya's 110th Birthday




Today’s Doodle, illustrated by Barcelona-based guest artist Genie Espinosa, celebrates Spanish Romani dancer Carmen Amaya. Considered one of the greatest flamenco dancers of all time, Amaya’s boundless energy and personality manifested in her every move.

Amaya was born on this day in 1913* in Barcelona. She was born into a long line of flamenco dancers. Amaya’s father was a guitarist, and by age four, she danced in taverns and bars while he played. After touring neighborhood venues for years, Amaya’s expressive dancing style gained the attention of a variety showrunner. He booked her in prestigious places like Barcelona’s Spanish Theatre and Paris’ Palace Theatre — the latter became a staple in her career.

By 1929, Amaya started touring through Spain and Portugal with some of the most respected flamenco dancers of the time. Flamenco dancing traditionally focuses on upper body movement, but Amaya used her entire body. Her rapid footwork became iconic, earning her fans across Latin America. She eventually settled in Buenos Aires and founded her own flamenco troupe. They toured everywhere from Cuba to Brazil.

After a decade on the road, Amaya moved to Mexico City. In 1941, she performed in New York and made a fan of U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt which resulted in an invite to dance at the White House! Amaya spent her late career in Hollywood and acted in films like La Historia de los Tarantos.

Amaya has been honored in many ways including Spain’s government awarded her the Medal of the Tourist Merit of Barcelona and Barcelona’s Montuic Park features a monument and a fountain in her honor. Amaya’s legacy lives in the twists and turns of today’s flamenco dancers.

Happy birthday, Carmen Amaya!

[9A]

Jan 26, 2022

Soad Hosny's 79th Birthday




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

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

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

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

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

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Dec 03, 2023

Antonio Variações's 79th Birthday



This Doodle celebrates Portuguese singer, hairdresser, and songwriter António Variações, a beloved pop star and one of the country’s role models for the LGBTQ+ community.

Variações grew up on his parent's farm with several siblings and found his love for music when he heard his dad play the accordion and cavaquinho. The media in Portugal was heavily censored during his younger years, so Variações would have rarely heard anyone speak positively about LGBTQ+ people or seen anyone wear clothes outside of traditional gender norms. It wasn’t until he traveled to London and learned hairdressing in Amsterdam that he felt comfortable to experiment with more diverse styles. Variações then returned to Lisbon with a unique fashion sense, often donning two-toned facial hair, bold colors and prints, and large metal accessories.

He worked at the first unisex hair salon in Portugal before opening his own in 1979, É Pró Menino e Prá Menina. He also sang at nightclubs around Lisbon and on a TV show before gaining stardom with his self-written first album, Anjo da Guarda. His song Estou Além blended genres like synth, pop, rock, and fado, earning remarkable popularity and critical acclaim. Variações went on to influence pop-rock again with Dar e Receber, a more somber album released in 1984.

But before he got a chance to see Canção Do Engate become a radio hit, he tragically passed from HIV/AIDS-related complications. As one of the first famous Portuguese HIV/AIDS victims, he raised awareness and empathy for the condition.

Artists still perform covers of his work to this day, and in 2004, a group of musicians recorded an album of unheard songs written by Variações. The Fiscal primary school he attended is now being transformed into an interpretive center in his honor.

While Variações never officially came out as LGBTQ+, he remains an icon for many in the community. During Pride, people celebrate the legendary musician for his pioneering self-expression and lasting impact on LGBTQ+ culture.

Happy birthday, António Variações! Thanks for always marching to the beat of your own drum.

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Sep 25, 2023

Celebrating Todd Matshikiza




Today’s Doodle celebrates South African jazz pianist, composer, and journalist Todd Matshikiza and was illustrated by South Africa-based guest artist Keith Vlahakis. On this day in 1956, his commissioned cantata Uxolo [peace] was performed by a seventy-piece orchestra and two hundred-person choir, at the 70th Johannesburg Festival.

Matshikiza was born in Queenstown, South Africa, on March 7th, 1921. His mother, a singer, and his father, an organist, taught Matshikiza and his six siblings piano while they grew up. He attended St Peter’s College in Johannesburg and went on to earn his music and teaching diplomas. Putting these degrees to work, he taught high school English and math and composed choral works and songs such as Hamba Kahle.

In 1947, Matshikiza moved back to Johannesburg, where he taught and eventually established his own private school, the Todd Matshikiza School of Music. He taught piano, his forte being jazz music. During much of this time, he was in the Syndicate of African Artists, which aimed to spread music and concerts to the whole country.

Matshikiza’s passion for jazz music and journalism came together when he became one of the first writers at Drum magazine. He wrote a column about the artistry and evolution of jazz and one on township life called With the Lid Off. Several of his articles from the latter column are immortalized in the book With the Lid Off: South African Insights from Home and Abroad 1959-2000.

As a composer, he is most famous for his work on the song Quickly in Love, which plays in the 2013 film Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom, and the score for two theatrical productions, King King and Mkhumbane. The all-Black jazz musical King Kong premiered in 1958 and was a smash hit, spreading as far as London. The musical Mkhumbane [1960] with compositions by Matshikiza and script by Alan Paton was equally powerful, but the political and satirical commentary about the Black experience in Cato Manor in the 1950s limited its popularity.

He composed, played piano, was a freelance journalist, and presented BBC radio programs in London for a few years before moving to Zambia, where he worked as a broadcaster and a music archivist. His story lives on through his autobiography Chocolates for My Wife [1961], which describes apartheid in South Africa and his move to London.

Thank you for sharing your compositions, piano skills, music critiques, and story with the world, Todd Matshikiza.

[9A]

Feb 23, 2024

Casimir Funk's 140th Birthday



This Doodle celebrates Polish-American biochemist Casimir Funk, who was among the first to discover and introduce the concept of vitamins and essential nutrients needed for human health.

Funk grew up in Poland, and after finishing high school, he traveled to Switzerland to study biology and chemistry. At just 20 years old, Funk received his PhD in organic chemistry from the University of Bern and began working at various research institutions across Europe.

As time passed, he became more and more interested in the effects of food ingredients on certain illnesses like scurvy, cancer, pellagra, rickets, and more. In 1911, Funk experimented with a mysterious substance called B1 [thiamine] and formed it into small, ingestible crystals that helped with the growth and function of various cells. He named his creation vitamines, after the Latin words vita [life] and amine [chemical compound containing an amino group]. The term was later shortened to vitamin.

In 1915, Funk immigrated to New York City and became a naturalized American citizen in 1920. In the US, he worked in research positions at universities and years later went on to serve as consultant to the US Vitamin Corporation.

Throughout the next few years, Funk continued discovering different vitamins and determined the foods each were found in. After publishing his book Die Vitamine, scientists around the world went on to discover 13 different vitamins over the next 35 years. His contributions to nutrition and medicine helped humanity overcome illnesses like scurvy, and opened several other doors for further scientific discovery.

Happy birthday, Casimir Funk!

[9A]

Jul 17, 2022

Quino's 90th Birthday




Joaquín Salvador Lavado Tejón, better known by his pen name Quino, created the iconic comic strip Mafalda. It provided a voice for Latin America in times of political instability and censorship. Today’s Doodle celebrates the Argentinian-Spanish cartoonist's 90th birthday and is illustrated by Buenos Aires-based guest artist Azul Portillo.

Quino was born in Mendoza, Argentina in 1932. The Son of pro-democracy Spanish immigrants, he grew up trying to make sense of his country’s unstable government and institutions. His artistic ambition was encouraged by his uncle Joaquin, a painter and graphic designer. Quino got his nickname to help distinguish him from his uncle who shared the same name.

At age 12, Quino enrolled in art school only to drop out three years later when his father passed away. He moved to Buenos Aires where he dreamed of becoming a cartoonist. After fulfilling his mandatory military service, Quino published his first cartoon in 1954. He spent the next decade honing his craft and released a compilation of cartoons called Mundo Quino.

Thanks to Mundo Quino’s success, he was commissioned to create a comic strip as part of an advertising campaign for a home appliance brand. In developing the campaign, Quino created Mafalda– a curious six-year-old Argentinian girl with a knack for noticing the world’s injustices and befuddling her parents. The campaign was canceled, but Quino held onto the cartoons.

In 1964, Mafalda debuted in Buenos Aires Weekly and rapidly gained popularity in Spanish-speaking countries around the world. The cartoon used child characters to provide humorous, scathing commentary on authoritarianism, censorship and inequality. Mafalda captured Latin America’s changing political landscape until 1974 when Argentina’s militant government began targeting and detaining state opponents. Due to the volatile political situation, Quino ended the comic strip and went into self-imposed exile in Milan.

Until his retirement in 2006, Quino created cartoons while splitting his time between Madrid and Buenos Aires. While he didn’t revive Mafalda, his later work followed a similar tone focusing on themes of privilege and the plight of the working class told through the use of dark humor.

Quino’s cartoons have been translated into 26 different languages and Mafalda is still being printed today. In 2014, Quino received Spain’s Prince of Asturias Award and France’s Legion of Honor. His cartoons are sold online and in bookstores around the world. After his passing, many Argentinians honored his life by leaving flowers at the foot of the Mafalda statue in Buenos Aires.

Happy 90th Birthday, Quino—you’ve created a comic character whose legacy can never be stripped.

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May 13, 2021

Zofia Stryjeńska's 130th Birthday



Today’s Doodle, illustrated by Poland-based guest artist Dixie Leota, celebrates the 130th birthday of Polish painter, graphic designer, illustrator, and stage designer Zofia Stryjeńska, who is widely regarded as one of the most significant Polish art deco artists of the early 1900s. Across its countless mediums, Stryjeńska’s bold and adventurous work mirrors her personality as an uncompromising heroine of creativity and artistic expression.

Born Zofia Lubańska on this day in 1891 in Kraków, Poland, Zofia Stryjeńska began painting caricatures of her father’s customers in his glove shop, developing a talent that became her life’s passion. But gender barriers stood in the way of her artistic pursuits; barriers she was determined to break. As the Munich Academy of Fine Arts—her top choice of schools—was a traditionally all-male institution, Stryjeńska cut her hair and attended the university disguised as a man. But after a year in Munich, the pressure of keeping her identity hidden pushed her to return home to Kraków.

Inspired by the history of her national identity, Stryjeńska began her career at 21 with a series of paintings based on Polish folklore. This modern take on a traditional art form became her hallmark; a style that gained popularity as Poland had recently regained its independence in 1911 and its citizens cherished their historical iconography. Her 1917 series of surrealist lithographs entitled “Bożki Słowiańskie” [“Slavic Idols”] saw massive success and was printed on everything from postcards to chocolates.

An expert of folk costumes and Slavic mythology, Stryjeńska expressed the love of her heritage in work that ranged from wooden chess pieces to ballet costumes, like those designed for the 1930s Polish ballet “Harnasie.”

Happy birthday, Zofia Stryjeńska!

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Dec 17, 2018

80th Anniversary of “The Rapid Arrows”



A group of five boys with a thirst for adventure, the Rapid Arrows [or Rychlé šípy in the original Czechoslovakian] premiered as an action-packed comics series 80 years ago. Mirek Dušín, Jarka Metelka, Jindra Hojer, Červenáček [aka "Red Cap"], Rychlonožka [aka "Speedy"], and their trusty dog Bublina [aka "Bubble"] were an instant hit with young readers—and remain popular in the Czech Republic and Slovakia today.

Created by the Czech writer Jaroslav Foglar, the Rapid Arrows comic quickly became a household name in families with young children. The group leader’s name, Mirek Dušín, has become a figure of speech for someone who is exemplary in every way—now used in a humorous way. Adapted into audio, film, and stage versions, the Rapid Arrows left a strong impact on pop culture in Eastern Europe and even inspired a wave of real-life youth clubs with many thousands of readers.

The comic ran from 1938 to 1989, with two breaks in production caused by war and political changes. All the original comics were collected into one book in 1998, which has been reprinted several times since. The Rapid Arrows also appear in Foglar’s novel Mystery of the Conundrum, which was adapted into a 1969 TV series and later into a 1993 film.

The boys’ search for the mechanical puzzle known as “Hedgehog in a Cage,” the Tleskač flying bicycle, and the sinister region of Stínadla continue to be loved by generations of readers and viewers.

Doodle illustrated by Czech artist, Marek Rubec

[9A]

Mar 18, 2018

Erich Ohser's 115th Birthday




Cartoonist Erich Ohser’s mighty pen was not only his sword, but his shield. Born on this day in Vogtland, Germany, in 1903, Ohser was raised in the industrial town of Plauen. He attended art school at Leipzig’s esteemed Academy of Graphic Arts and Book Trade [Akademie für graphische Künste und Buchgewerbe] before finding his voice as a cartoonist and book illustrator in Weimar Republic–era Berlin.

The artist’s work blossomed through his bond with writer Erich Kästner and journalist Erich Knauf, who shared his political ideology and modern sense of aesthetics. Ohser’s impassioned cartoons and caricatures, which appeared in Knauf’s articles and other popular publications, became his vehicle for expressing his antipathy towards the National Socialists. As making such declarations became increasingly dangerous, Ohser found refuge in drawing the lighthearted, and highly successful, comic strip Vater und Sohn [Father and Son].

From 1934 through 1937, Vater und Sohn captivated readers of the weekly news magazine Berliner Illustrirte Zeitung with its irreverent wit, scratchy pen strokes, and playful antics. Plucking a page from his past, Ohser signed it with a pseudonym that stuck: E.O. Plauen.

Today’s Doodle, rendered by German cartoonist Nadine Redlich, captures the spirit of Ohser’s beloved strip, featuring a pot-bellied father and his playful son, with the artist’s hand within the frame.

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Aug 09, 2022

Singapore National Day 2022




Today’s Doodle celebrates Singapore's National Day. On this day in 1965, Singapore separated from the Federation of Malaysia and officially became a sovereign nation.

Today’s artwork features the national flower of Singapore—the Vanda Miss Joaquim orchid. The orchid species was selected as Singapore's National Flower for its vibrant colors, hardiness and resilience—qualities that reflect the Singapore spirit. While Vanda Miss Joaquim is still the popular household name used for the flower, recent taxonomic research revealed the genus of the parents of the national flower to be Papilionanthe—hence the official scientific classification of the flower was updated to "Papilionanthe Miss Joaquim".

The annual National Day Parade is the largest celebration in the country. Singaporeans partake in the parade's processions either in person or by watching the national broadcast of the event. In the months leading up to the celebration, the Singapore Armed Forces rehearse free-fall parachute displays and vehicle demonstrations. The parades usually feature an aerial show with helicopters and fighter planes and song-and-dance performances. As a finale, breathtaking fireworks decorate the night sky. Citizens spend the day at picnics, carnivals and concerts islandwide.

Happy National Day, Singapore!

[9A]

Nov 04, 2020

Miliki's 91st Birthday



Today’s Doodle, illustrated by Spain-based guest artist Cinta Arribas, celebrates Spanish clown, actor, director, writer, singer, and composer Emilio Aragón Bermúdez, known fondly by his stage name Miliki. Among his many artistic accomplishments, Aragón starred in the Spanish children’s program “El Gran Circo de TVE” [“TVE’s Great Circus”] which is widely considered one of the most iconic shows in the history of Spanish television.

Emilio Alberto Aragón Bermúdez was born on this day in 1929 in the town of Carmona in southwestern Spain. The son of a clown and an equestrian acrobatics specialist, Aragón honed his talent for performance art as a child surrounded by entertainers. Determined to carry on the family tradition, Aragón launched his clowning career by the age of 11, performing with his brothers at venues like Madrid’s legendary Circo Price [Price Circus].

The siblings moved to Cuba in the 1940s and achieved fame over the following decades as they showcased their endearing talents across the Americas. They found their way back to Spain in 1972 and the very next year, they took Spanish television by storm as the hosts of the children’s show which eventually became known as “El Gran Circo de TVE.”

After a hugely successful decade on air, Aragón moved beyond his identity as a clown and throughout the rest of his career explored new endeavors as a writer, TV presenter, filmmaker, and recording musician—a talent which earned him two Latin Grammy Awards.

¡Feliz cumpleaños, Miliki!

[9A]

Jul 27, 2020

Jeanne Baret's 280th Birthday




Today’s Doodle celebrates French botanist and explorer Jeanne Baret on her 280th birthday. In 1766, Baret departed France aboard the ship Étoile [Star] as part of an exploratory expedition and upon her return made history as the first woman to circle the globe.

Jeanne Baret was born on this day in 1740 in the historic town of Autun in central France. Thanks to a rural upbringing, she became adept at identifying plants and earned recognition as a local specialist in plant medicine. In the early 1760s, she began working for the noted botanist Philibert Commerson.

When France organized its first circumnavigation of the globe in 1765, Commerson was invited along as the group’s botanist. French laws barred women from navy ships, so in order to serve as his assistant, Baret dressed to appear as a man. The pair collected over 6,000 plant specimens during the voyage.

Today, many credit Baret alone for the European discovery of the now-famous bougainvillea vine while the crew was stopped in Brazil. Depicted in the Doodle artwork is a bougainvillea vine in bloom, wrapping around an inquisitive Baret aboard the Étoile.

Eventually, crewmembers discovered Baret had been dressing as a man in Tahiti, and she and Commerson ended their journey early on the island of Mauritius in 1768. Baret remained there for years before she finally returned to France, which marked the official completion of her circumnavigation.

In 2012, Baret was finally given a botanical honor that eluded her during her lifetime, when a newly discovered plant from the Solanum genus–which includes potatoes, tomatoes, and eggplants–was given the species name baretiae.

Thank you, Jeanne Baret, for opening the door for generations of explorers.

[9A]

Jun 07, 2019

Lucky Akhand's 63rd Birthday




Today’s Doodle celebrates one of Bangladesh’s most beloved musicians, Lucky Akhand, whose timeless songs helped launch the Bangla rock movement and forge the young nation’s cultural identity. Born Laki Akhanda in Dhaka, the capital city of what was then East Pakistan, on this day in 1956, he was exposed to music early, learning piano, accordion, harmonica, and Spanish guitar from his father starting at age five.

Laki began writing his own songs as a child, appearing on children's TV and radio shows before the age of 10. The Pakistan Art Council awarded him first prize for “Modern Bangla Songs” in 1969, the year of his 13th birthday. The following year, he was employed as a composer for HMV Pakistan, and later as a musician for HMV India.

In 1971, while Bangladesh fought for its independence from Pakistan, Laki aided the cause by singing patriotic songs on Swadhin Bangla Betar Kendra. The free radio station boosted morale during the nine-month conflict, and teenage Laki was considered a “Freedom Fighter.” After the war he joined his brother Happy in the group Uchharon, an influential group whose music blended Eastern and Western sounds.

In 1984, he released his successful debut album Lucky Akhand and eventually adopted the optimistic name. He continued writing for other singers, including his brother Happy’s hit “Abar Elo Je Shondha,” which was featured in the Bangla film Ghuddi, and went on to become director of the national radio network Bangladesh Betar. His legacy lives on through his music, preserved in his own recordings as well as those of prominent Bengali singers, such as Fahmida Nabi.

[9A]

Jun 05, 2019

Jacques Demy’s 88th Birthday




Today’s Doodle celebrates French director Jacques Demy, born in Pont-Château, on this day in 1931. Demy fell in love with the movies early and longed to tell his own vividly colored visual stories. As part of postwar French cinema’s New Wave, Demy and other members of the movement, known as the Nouvelle Vague, reimagined filmmaking as a personal artistic expression rather than a commercial industry, inspiring a generation of independent auteurs in the process.

As a child, Demy created his own puppet shows and animated home movies before convincing his parents to let him study film in Paris. After two years at France’s Technical School of Photography and Cinematography, he assisted animator Paul Grimault and director Georges Roquier in the 1950s before getting the chance to direct his first feature.

Set in his childhood hometown of Nantes, Lola starred Anouk Aimée as a heartbroken cabaret singer awaiting the return of a lost love. The bittersweet film debuted in 1961. A year later, Demy married Agnès Varda, who would later direct her husband’s life story in the singular biopic Jacquot de Nantes, based in part on his own diaries.

Inspired by American musicals, Demy created a world of his own in wistfully romantic films like Les Demoiselles de Rochefort [The Young Girls of Rochefort], which featured Hollywood legend Gene Kelly, and Les Parapluies de Cherbourg [The Umbrellas of Cherbourg], which put Catherine Deneuve in the spotlight and won the grand prize at the 1964 Cannes Film Festival.

A consummate cinephile and audiovisual craftsman, Demy infused his musicals and fantasies with a documentarian’s eye and a poet’s heart.

Bon anniversaire, Jacques Demy!

Doodle by Sophie Diao

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Apr 12, 2021

Children's Day 2021




The Doodle Children's Day 2021 [April 12] launched Apr 12, 2021.

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Apr 23, 2023

Türkiye National Sovereignty and Children's Day 2023

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Mar 30, 2021


Children's Day 2021 [March 30]

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Apr 23, 2022


National Sovereignty and Children's Day 2022

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Oct 23, 2019

Children's Day 2019



On various dates in various countries around the world.

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Aug 05, 2018

Children's Day 2018

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Oct 28, 2017

Children's Day 2017

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Apr 23, 2017

National Sovereignty and Children's Day 2017

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Oct 03, 2016

Children's Day 2016

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Apr 13, 2024

Celebrating Dr. Martha Bernal


This Doodle celebrates the 93rd birthday of Mexican Americanpsychologist, Dr. Martha Bernal, who became the first Latina to earn a PhD in psychology in the U.S. and made major contributions in children's clinical work and multicultural psychology.

Her parents were Mexican immigrants and raised her and her sisters in Mexican culture at home. Bernal faced controversy in her schooling as her school prohibited speaking Spanish and discouraged the Bernal sisters from taking advanced courses. Dr. Bernal later said that this treatment from the school led her to feel shame about her ethnicity.

Additionally, her father didn’t initially support her leaving El Paso for her higher education. Despite these challenges, Dr. Bernal went on to graduate from Louisiana State University and then earned her Master's at NYU Syracuse. She continued to face racism and sexism in her graduate program at Indiana University [and in her future job searches] but persisted on to become the first Latina to earn a PhD in clinical psychology in the United States in 1962.

Early in her career, she studied children’s psychology with a focus on behavior and development. Later in life, she invested her time promoting diversity within the field of psychology. Dr. Bernal helped develop more inclusive training programs, recruitment methods, and research opportunities for ethnic minority psychologists. In 1979, she received a National Research Service Award from the National Institute of Mental Health for her achievements She also helped create the National Hispanic Psychological Association later that same year.

Throughout her career, Dr. Bernal accepted several more awards from respected organizations like Division 45, the American Psychological Association and more. Her unwavering commitment to diversity has left a lasting mark on the field of psychology, inspiring many women and scholars of color to pursue their dreams.

Happy 93rd birthday, Dr. Martha Bernal!

[9A]

Apr 13, 2024

Teachers' Day 2024 [Apr 13] [Eduador]

[9A]

Mar 10, 2024

Mother's Day 2024 [Mar 10] [Ireland]

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Mar 01, 2024

St. David's Day 2024



This St. David's Day Doodle features the legendary red dragon.

This handcrafted Doodle celebrates St. David’s Day in Wales [also known as Dydd Gŵyl Dewi Sant]! The artwork takes inspiration from the legend of Dinas Emrys wherein a king’s castle collapsed many times due to two dragons fighting in a lair below its foundation. Eventually, the red dragon prevailed and became a symbol of Welsh pride. Today, the flag can be seen waving throughout the country.

On this day each year, people with Welsh roots around the world honor their cultural identity. Many display their Welsh pride by wearing a leek or daffodil — both national symbols of Wales.

Many cities and towns across Wales hold parades or festivals, with the biggest examples being in Cardiff and Swansea. Some schools choose St David’s Day to hold eisteddfodau, a traditional poetry and music competition that celebrates ancient Welsh verse.

As winter turns into spring, there’s no better way to celebrate St. David’s Day by getting together with loved ones to enjoy a steaming bowl of cawl [hearty lamb stew], rarebit [open-faced hot cheese on bread], and deliciously sweet Welsh cakes.

Happy St. David's Day to everyone of Welsh descent! Dydd Gŵyl Dewi Hapus!

[9A]

Feb 23, 2024

Casimir Funk's 140th Birthday




This Doodle celebrates Polish-American biochemistCasimir Funk, who was among the first to discover and introduce the concept of vitamins and essential nutrients needed for human health.

Funk grew up in Poland, and after finishing high school, he traveled to Switzerland to study biology and chemistry. At just 20 years old, Funk received his PhD in organic chemistry from the University of Bern and began working at various research institutions across Europe.

As time passed, he became more and more interested in the effects of food ingredients on certain illnesses like scurvy, cancer, pellagra, rickets, and more. In 1911, Funk experimented with a mysterious substance called B1 [thiamine] and formed it into small, ingestible crystals that helped with the growth and function of various cells. He named his creation vitamines, after the Latin words vita [life] and amine [chemical compound containing an amino group]. The term was later shortened to vitamin.

In 1915, Funk immigrated to New York City and became a naturalized American citizen in 1920. In the US, he worked in research positions at universities and years later went on to serve as consultant to the US Vitamin Corporation.

Throughout the next few years, Funk continued discovering different vitamins and determined the foods each were found in. After publishing his book Die Vitamine, scientists around the world went on to discover 13 different vitamins over the next 35 years. His contributions to nutrition and medicine helped humanity overcome illnesses like scurvy, and opened several other doors for further scientific discovery.

Happy birthday, Casimir Funk!

[9A]

Dec 07, 2023


Celebrating Pinisi



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

[9A]

Jun 21, 2023





Today’s Doodle, illustrated by Ottawa-based Inuk guest artist Gayle Uyagaqi Kabloona, celebrates Canadian Inuk historian and writer Mitiarjuk Nappaaluk on National Indigenous Peoples Day. Mitiarjuk Nappaaluk championed Inuit culture throughout her life and authored the groundbreaking Inuktitut novel Sanaaq—which was later translated, and featured on bestseller lists around the world.

Mitiarjuk Nappaaluk was born in 1931 in the small village of Kangiqsujuaq, in the northern Quebec region of Nunavik, in Canada. She spent her early years living a traditional Inuit lifestyle. As the oldest child, she was tasked with fishing and preserving skins for the village but became interested in storytelling.

She didn’t receive a formal education until the age of twenty when local missionaries taught her to write Inuktitut in syllabics. In exchange, Mitiarjuk Nappaaluk helped them develop an Inuktitut dictionary of words, legends, and history. Impressed with her work, the missionaries asked her to write stories in her language. Despite having never read a novel, Mitiarjuk Nappaaluk began writing Sanaaq—one of the first books recorded in the Inuktitut language.

While writing Sanaaq and the Inkituit dictionary, Mitiarjuk Nappaaluk worked as a consultant for the Kativik School Commission and as a teacher in Nunavik schools. Later in her career, the Kativik School Board enlisted Mitiarjuk Nappaaluk to create the language curriculum and instruct teachers about cultural awareness.

In 1984, Sanaaq was finally published in Inuktitut. The book detailed an authentic day-to-day life of an extended Inuit family and quickly became the most influential novel in her culture. It was later translated into other languages including French, which placed it on Montreal’s French bestseller list.

Mitiarjuk Nappaaluk earned the Aboriginal Achievement Award in 1999 for her life's work and was named a member of the Order of Canada in 2004. Her curriculum, books, and essays are still widely used throughout Inuit schools in Northern Canada. Mitiarjuk Nappaaluk remains a cultural icon and her efforts have inspired current and future generations of Inuit storytellers. We honour her contributions towards education, preservation of language and culture, and as a role model for aspiring Inuit writers and historians - today, and every day.

Thank you, Mitiarjuk Nappaaluk!

[9A]

Aug 23, 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]

Apr 23, 2021

Celebrating the Letter Ñ




Today’s Doodle artwork, illustrated by Barcelona-based guest artist Min, commemorates the consonant Ñ [pronounced “enye”]. The only letter in the Spanish alphabet that originated in Spain, the Ñ is not only a letter but a representation of Hispanic heritage and identity as well.

The Ñ’s story started with 12th-century Spanish scribes. While hand-copying Latin manuscripts, these scholars of the Middle Ages devised a plan to save time and parchment by shortening words with double letters. They combined the two figures into one and scrawled on top a tiny “n”—a symbol now known as a ”virgulilla” or tilde—to signify the change. Thus, “annus,” Latin for “year,” evolved into the Spanish “año.”

In 1803, it was officially entered into the Royal Spanish Academy’s dictionary, and in 1993, Spain passed legislation to protect its inclusion in computer keyboards on the grounds of its insuppressible cultural significance. In 2010, the United Nations declared April 23 a day to annually celebrate the Spanish language, one of the most commonly spoken in the world.

Today, the letter Ñ appears in more than 17,700 Spanish words, carving out a fundamental role within the language and Hispanic culture.

[9A]

Sep 28, 2020

Celebrating Cải Lương




Today’s Doodle celebrates cải lương, a style of modern South Vietnamese folk opera, on the observance of Vietnam Stage Day, an annual celebration of the rich history of theater in the country. A blend of traditional and contemporary influences, cải lương combines opera with spoken drama to create a vibrant expression of Vietnamese culture and identity.

Loosely translated to “reformed theater,” the form evolved from the traditional Vietnamese opera called hát bội in the Mekong Delta of southern Vietnam at the turn of the 20th century. Accompanied by an orchestra containing traditional Vietnamese instruments like the đàn tranh [“six-string zither”], cải lương brings to life a wide range of stories, from ancient legends of monarchs and warriors to explorations of modern Vietnamese social themes. While the subject material may vary, one common element is the signature melancholic song structure called vọng cổ, which translates to “nostalgia for the past.”

One of the most iconic cải lương productions is “Tiếng Trống Mê Linh,” which translates roughly to “The Drum Sound of Mê Linh.” The historical play tells the true story of Trưng Trắc and Trưng Nhị, two sisters who helped lead the fight for Vietnamese independence from the Chinese Han Dynasty in the 1st century. A classic of the artform, “Tiếng Trống Mê Linh” has been staged by many of Vietnam’s top cải lương performers since it first debuted in 1977.

Over a century after its birth, cải lương is still enjoyed today as one of the uniquely Vietnamese artforms and a vital link to the country’s history.

[9A]

Apr 15, 2024

Celebrating Etel Adnan



Etel Adnan was a Lebanese-American poet, essayist, and visual artist. In 2003, Adnan was named "arguably the most celebrated and accomplished Arab American author writing today" by the academic journal MELUS: Multi-Ethnic Literature of the United States.

[9A]

Mar 31, 2023

Juntree Siriboonrod 's 106th Birthday




Today’s Doodle celebrates the 106th birthday of Thai author Juntree Siriboonrod, widely regarded as the “father of Thai science fiction”.

Siriboonrod was born on this day in 1917. Not much is known about his childhood. Super fans might suspect he traveled from an alternate universe or warded off aliens from the crib, but — in true science fiction fashion — no one knows his origin story for sure!

He initially worked for the Thai government as a civil servant in the Department of Ministry Fuels. After taking a job as a high school science teacher, Siriboonrod started writing science-focused articles and stories.

In 1945, Siriboonrod collaborated with the Science Society of Thailand to write Witthayasat Mahatsachan, a Thai science magazine. He wrote everything from science fiction to scientist’s biographies until his resignation in 1959. During this time, he published Phu Dap Duang Athit, or The Man Who Put Out the Sun, a collection of fantastical, science-fiction short stories that is still celebrated across Thailand today.

In 2005, the Science Society of Thailand and the Science Writers and Publishers Forum established the Juntree Siriboonrod Award in his honor. The award celebrates achievements in the field of Thai science fiction, and serves as a reminder of Siriboonrod’s literary impact.

[9A]

Mar 03, 2023

Paz Marquez-Benitez's 129th Birthday





Today’s Doodle celebrates the 129th birthday of Filipino writer, editor, and teacher Paz Márquez-Benítez. Throughout her career, she developed Philippine literature and taught many of the nation’s most distinguished writers. She is known for writing the first modern Philippine short story penned in English, Dead Stars.

Márquez-Benítez was born to a family of teachers in Lucena, Quezon on this day in 1894. An academic prodigy, she enrolled in high school at age nine and was highly praised for her prowess in English. She then attended the Philippine Normal University in Manila where she discovered her love for writing. Two years later, Márquez-Benítez studied at the newly-formed University of the Philippines’ College of Liberal Arts, graduating in 1912.

She soon returned to her alma mater as a writing teacher and used her platform to write Dead Stars in 1925. Márquez-Benítez was a strong proponent of preserving Philippine heritage and firmly supported independence, and the short story’s two main characters symbolized American imperialism. It was published in the Philippines Herald and drew critical acclaim as a national literary work.

She was a mentor to many writers who later became famous and compiled the first anthology of Philippine stories in the English language, Filipino Love Stories [1928], featuring works from her students. Beyond these achievements, Márquez-Benítez helped found the Philippine Women’s University. She also served as editor for the Philippine Educational Magazine and the Women’s Home Journal, the country’s first women’s magazine.

The Ateneo Library of Women’s Writings now hosts the annual Márquez-Benítez Lecture and Exhibit to remember Filipino women writers who contributed to Philippine literature in English. Her daughter, Virginia Benítez Licuanan, wrote her biography Paz Márquez-Benítez: One Woman's Life, Letters, and Writings in 1995, which also includes her letters and diary entries.

Happy birthday, Paz Márquez-Benitez!

[9A]

Feb 01, 2024

Alfonso Caso's 128th Birthday



This Doodle celebrates Mexican archeologist and professor Alfonso Caso. He’s best known for excavating the site of Tomb Seven at Monte Albán — one of the richest archeological findings of all time.

Caso attended what is now known as the National Autonomous University of Mexico [NAUM], where he earned a law degree. While studying there, Caso helped found Mexico City's "Society for Conferences and Concerts,” which promoted students to participate in cultural activities. After graduation, he went on to teach at NAUM.

In his free time, Caso frequently visited pre-Columbian Xochicalco archaeological sites. He became fascinated with Mexico’s past and took more classes on the subject. After earning a master’s degree in Philosophy at age 29, Caso chose to focus on archeology as a career. His rigorous methods of interpretation earned respect from his fellow faculty and he quickly became the university’s leading voice in archeology.

Caso headed NAUM’s department of archeology and later became the director of its museum. He started to lead excavations across the country, including the site of the ancient Zapotecs in Monte Albán. After analyzing the burial offerings in the iconic Tomb Seven [known for being one of the richest burial sites ever found], Caso formed a rough chronology of Monte Albán’s history dating all the way back to the eighth century.

After writing books about his findings and methods, Caso returned to the field. He began to focus on the Mixetecs, indigenous people who lived in Mexico. He discovered sites around the country in Yucuita, Yucuñudahui, and Monte Negro. Building upon his previous findings, Caso was ultimately able to decipher Mixtec writings — an astounding achievement in archeology!

Caso served as the Mexican government’s Director of the National Institute for Indian Affairs for 30 years. He was a member of the United States National Academy of Sciences and the American Philosophy Society. Given his numerous accomplishments and efforts to inspire students, it’s hard to not dig the guy!

Happy Birthday, Alfonso Caso!

[9A]

Oct 21, 2022

Marjorie Phyllis Oludhe Macgoye's 94th Birthday



Today’s Doodle celebrates the life and 94th birthday of Marjorie Oludhe Macgoye, a British-born novelist and poet who came to be known as the mother of Kenyan literature. She mostly wrote about the struggles of Kenya during its post-colonial era, but also published children’s books, magazine stories and much more.

Macgoye was academically gifted from an early age. Her mother was a teacher in Southampton and kept a close eye on her studies. She was awarded several scholarships in her youth and eventually attended the Royal Holloway College at the University of London for a bachelor’s degree in English. It was here that she found her love for writing through the many letters she wrote to her parents. Macgoye then went to Birkbeck College for her master’s degree in English where she specialized in poetry.

Shortly after graduating, Macgoye moved to Kenya and became a citizen in 1954. This was during a time of political tension and colonial conflict. She often held literary projects that helped women learn how to read and write. Macgoye also became involved in social activism, where she gave speeches and joined national debates regarding the experiences of women.

In 1983, she wholly switched her focus to writing. She wrote poems, novels, children’s books, magazine stories, scholarly essays and historical articles about life in Kenya. Her most notable works include Murder in Majengo [1972], The Present Moment [1987] and Coming to Birth [1986]—the latter won the Sinclair Prize for fiction. Today’s mixed-medium artwork pictures Macgoye next to her books, surrounded by Kenyan scenery and the women that inspired her.

Happy 94th birthday, Marjorie Oludhe Macgoye!

[9A]

Dec 16, 2023

Celebrating Arthur Beetson



This Doodle celebrates Indigenous Australian rugby league captain and coach Arthur Beetson, who is widely considered one of the greatest players in rugby history.

Beetson was born in Roma, Queensland in 1945 which is traditionally known as Gubbi Gubbi Country. His mother, a survivor of the Stolen Generation, was taken from her parents at 11 years old and forced to work as a domestic servant. Fearing that her children would suffer the same fate, she often hid Beetson and his siblings whenever a stranger’s car came close to their home.

Beetson fell in love with football as a child, and at 19, he was recruited to play for the Redcliffe Dolphins. Soon after, Redcliffe won the Brisbane premiership and Beetson was named club player of the year in 1965.

In 1973, when Beetson was appointed captain of the Kangaroos, the Australia National Rugby League team, it was a watershed moment for Indigenous representation: The government had only begun to recognize Indigenous people as Australian citizens six years earlier. Up until then, Indigenous communities were largely excluded from Australian society.

Beetson captained the Kangaroos to victory at the 1975 World Series, cementing his legacy as one of the greatest players and leaders in Australian rugby league history. He continued to break new grounds throughout his four-decade career by playing in 14 test matches, four victorious World Club campaigns, 20 interstate matches, and 222 New South Wales Rugby League first-grade games. He also went on to coach for the Eastern Suburbs, Australia, Queensland, the Redcliffe Dolphins, and the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks. In 2003, Beetson was inducted into the Australian Rugby League Hall of Fame and added to the list of Immortals.

Thank you, Arthur Beetson, for helping level the playing field for Indigenous representation and being a sporting icon for all Australians.

[9A]

Dec 06, 2023

Celebrating Ahmed the Elephant




This Doodle honors the giant tusked elephant, Ahmed — the first elephant to be protected under presidential decree in Kenya.

Little is known about Ahmed the elephant's early life, but he gained his reputation in the 1960s after being spotted by hikers in the Northern Kenya mountains. Known as “The King Of Marsabit,” spotters claimed Ahmed’s tusks were so large they scraped the ground. The legend took hold across Kenya.

In 1970, Ahmed became the subject of many television projects, including an ABC series and a documentary. His rise in pop culture inspired school children to campaign for Ahmed’s protection from poachers. After they sent letters to Kenya’s first President Mzee Jomo Kenyatta, he placed Ahmed under his protection by Presidential Decree.

Two security guards watched over him day and night to preserve his life. After Ahmed died of natural causes at age 55, Kenya celebrated his legacy. President Kenyatta ordered taxidermists to preserve Ahmed for future generations at the Nairobi National Museum. He can still be seen there today.

[9A]

Nov 02, 2023

Carmen Amaya's 110th Birthday





Today’s Doodle, illustrated by Barcelona-based guest artist Genie Espinosa, celebrates Spanish Romani dancer Carmen Amaya. Considered one of the greatest flamenco dancers of all time, Amaya’s boundless energy and personality manifested in her every move.

Amaya was born on this day in 1913* in Barcelona. She was born into a long line of flamenco dancers. Amaya’s father was a guitarist, and by age four, she danced in taverns and bars while he played. After touring neighborhood venues for years, Amaya’s expressive dancing style gained the attention of a variety showrunner. He booked her in prestigious places like Barcelona’s Spanish Theatre and Paris’ Palace Theatre — the latter became a staple in her career.

By 1929, Amaya started touring through Spain and Portugal with some of the most respected flamenco dancers of the time. Flamenco dancing traditionally focuses on upper body movement, but Amaya used her entire body. Her rapid footwork became iconic, earning her fans across Latin America. She eventually settled in Buenos Aires and founded her own flamenco troupe. They toured everywhere from Cuba to Brazil.

After a decade on the road, Amaya moved to Mexico City. In 1941, she performed in New York and made a fan of U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt which resulted in an invite to dance at the White House! Amaya spent her late career in Hollywood and acted in films like La Historia de los Tarantos.

Amaya has been honored in many ways including Spain’s government awarded her the Medal of the Tourist Merit of Barcelona and Barcelona’s Montuic Park features a monument and a fountain in her honor. Amaya’s legacy lives in the twists and turns of today’s flamenco dancers.

Happy birthday, Carmen Amaya!

*some sources site 1918 as her birth year

[9A]

Nov 01, 2023

Farooq Qaiser's 78th Birthday


Today’s Doodle celebrates the 78th birthday of Farooq Qaiser, famous Pakistani puppeteer, artist, writer, and voice actor. He’s most known for creating Uncle Sargam, a fictional puppet character that stole the hearts of many children and adults alike, and became a household name throughout the country. Uncle Sargam and his companion, Masi Museebtay, are featured in today’s Doodle artwork!

Qaiser was born on this day in 1945 in Sialkot, Punjab. He studied Fine Art at the National College of Arts in Lahore, where he was first introduced to the world of puppetry. While there, he was invited to work on a children’s television program called Akka Bakkar [1971] as a show writer and puppet maker. Qaiser also attended the University of Bucharest for his bachelor’s in graphic design and the University of Southern California for a master’s in mass communications.

In 1976, the puppeteer started creating his own children’s show and eventually landed a broadcasting opportunity on Pakistani Television [PTV]. It wasn’t long before Kaliyan [which translates to flower bud] found its way onto family TV screens across the nation. The show brilliantly balanced humor and satire to teach valuable life lessons to its young audience. Uncle Sargam, the main character, was also charming and relatable enough that parents enjoyed watching alongside their kids.

Beyond puppetry, Qaiser had his hand in other pursuits. He worked as a columnist and cartoonist for the Daily Nai Baat, an Urdu newspaper, and taught at the Fatima Jinnah Women’s University in Rawalpindi. He also co-founded the Pakistani branch of Union Internationale de la Marionnette [UNIMA] and served as its long-time vice president.

For his contributions, Qaiser has been awarded the Presidential Pride of Performance in 1993, the title of “Master Puppeteer” from UNICEF in 1997, the PTV Lifetime Achievement Award in 2010, and highest civil award of Pakistan [Sitara-e-Imtiaz] in 2021 for his literary and artistic contributions towards society. He played a vital role in educating and entertaining the people of Pakistan through television, and is remembered for his irreplaceable, unmatchable spirit.

Happy birthday, Farooq Qaiser!

[9A]

Apr 27, 2023

King's Day 2023




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

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

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

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

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

Happy King’s Day to the Dutch!

[9A]

Mar 03, 2022

Girls' Day 2022



As winter blossoms into spring, today’s Doodle—illustrated by guest artist Kaya Doi—celebrates Japan’s Girls’ Day or Hinamatsuri [雛祭り], also called the Doll’s Festival. On this day, families wish for the health, growth, and happiness of Japan’s young girls, traditionally by displaying sets of costumed Hiina dolls that represent members of the imperial court dating back to Japan’s Heian period [A.D. 794 to 1185].

So what connection does the display of ornate dolls have with the happiness of Japan’s youth? During the Heian era, noble children played with Hiina [paper dolls], developing a tradition known as Hiina-Asobi [doll play]. Members of the Imperial court believed the dolls would absorb the children’s bad luck, thus protecting them from evil spirits. In some regions of Japan, these dolls were released to float down a river. Now, people display porcelain dolls with brightly colored clothing—a tradition dating back to the Edo period—to celebrate and to wish girls health and prosperity with traditional foods such as Chirashi-Sushi.

Happy Girls’ Day, Japan!

[9A]

Aug 09, 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]

Jul 28, 2020

Peru National Day 2020




Today’s Doodle celebrates Peru’s Independence Day and the country’s Fiestas Patrias, or National Holidays. On July 28, 1821, Peru officially declared its independence from Spain.

Illustrated in the Doodle artwork is Peru’s national animal, the vicuña, which also stands proudly on the nation’s flag and coat of arms. A close relative of the llama and alpaca, the vicuña can be found roaming free in the elevated grasslands of Peru’s central Andes. The animal is revered for its lustrous, soft, and durable outer coat, a fiber so desirable that during the rule of Peru’s Inca empire, it was reserved exclusively for nobility.

Vicuñas were hunted nearly to extinction, but these graceful animals have since bounced back to healthy numbers. This rare resilience reinforces the vicuña as a symbol of Peruvian independence, patriotism, and fortitude.

¡Felices Fiestas Patrias, Perú!