Google doodles

[9A]

May 13, 2010

'Children's Day' [Sweden - SE]

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May 13, 2019

60th Anniversary of Torres del Paine National Park






Described by an early visitor as "one of the most ... spectacular sights that human imagination can conceive," Torres del Paine became a national park on this day in 1959. Initially named Lago Grey, the park was expanded and renamed in 1970. Today’s Doodle celebrates the splendor of this natural treasure situated near the Andes mountains at the southernmost tip of Chile.

First settled by the ancient Aonikenk people, Parque Nacional Torres del Paine takes its name from the Paine Massif mountain range and three granite torres or towers that rise some 2000 meters above the Patagonian steppe.

The rugged beauty of the land—forests, lakes, rivers, waterfalls, and an enormous blue glacier—attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors each year to enjoy camping, hiking, cycling, kayaking, and boating. Since the 15th century, the area has also been home to the nomadic Kaweskar people who coexist with wild pumas, condors, and llama-like creatures known as guanacos.

The national park was added to UNESCO’s Biosphere Reserve system in 1978 and even received 5 million votes to be elected the “Eighth Wonder of the World” in 2013.

[9A]

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!

[9A]

May 23, 2021

Celebrating the Obelisk of Buenos Aires





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

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

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

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

[9A]

May 23, 2015

Eurovision Song Contest 2015 Final






The Eurovision Song Contest, sometimes abbreviated to ESC and often known simply as Eurovision, is an international song competition organised annually by the European Broadcasting Union [EBU], featuring participants representing primarily European countries. Each participating country submits an original song to be performed on live television and radio, transmitted to national broadcasters via the EBU's Eurovision and Euroradio networks, with competing countries then casting votes for the other countries' songs to determine a winner.

The Eurovision Song Contest 2015 was the 60th edition of the Eurovision Song Contest. It took place in Vienna, Austria, following the country's victory at the 2014 contest with the song "Rise Like a Phoenix" by Conchita Wurst. It was the second time Austria had hosted the contest, having previously done so in 1967. Organised by the European Broadcasting Union [EBU] and host broadcaster Österreichischer Rundfunk [ORF], the contest was held at the Wiener Stadthalle and consisted of two semi-finals on 19 and 21 May, and the final on 23 May 2015. The three live shows were presented by Mirjam Weichselbraun, Alice Tumler and Arabella Kiesbauer, while Conchita Wurst acted as green room host.

Forty countries participated in the contest, with Australia making a guest appearance. Cyprus and Serbia returned, after their one-year absence, while Czech Republic returned, after their last participation in 2009. Meanwhile, Ukraine announced their non-participation due to financial and political reasons regarding the Ukrainian crisis.

The winner was Sweden with the song "Heroes", performed by Måns Zelmerlöw and written by Anton Malmberg Hård af Segerstad, Joy Deb and Linnea Deb. This was Sweden's sixth victory in the contest, following their wins in 1974, 1984, 1991, 1999 and 2012. This was the country's second win in three years. This also marked the shortest gap between two wins for the same country since Ireland's 1994 and 1996 victories. Russia, Italy, Belgium and Australia rounded out the top five. The top two countries of this contest - Sweden and Russia - were the same as the top two countries in the 2012 contest. This was the first time since the juries were reintroduced alongside the televoting in 2009 that the winner did not place first in the televoting; Italy was the televote winner, while Sweden was the jury winner. Further down the table, Montenegro achieved its best result since its independence, finishing thirteenth. Also, for the first time since 2002, all three Baltic states participated in the final.

[9A]

May 29, 2015

Nepal Republic Day 2015




Today, we honor the strength and resilience of the people of Nepal. On May 28th, 2008, after decades of revolution and protests, Nepal became the Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal. Seven years later, this country is an international symbol of splendor, peace, and tenacity.

In the aftermath of the recent devastating and tragic earthquakes our hearts and minds are with the people of Nepal and the aid workers there helping to heal and mend families as they regain their footing, standing again as their world shifts beneath their feet.

We hope today's Doodle will remind the people of Nepal that they are an inspiration to the entire world, and that their burning perseverance lights the way for us all. The concept of light in this Doodle means three things for Nepal: celebration of this National day, prayers to Buddha, and a guiding light on the way home.

Google is committed to supporting efforts to rebuild, and to help carry the load on the difficult climb to recovery. Google Crisis Response map can help get the lay of the land and the Person Finder can help locate friends and loved ones.

We'll see you at the peak, again, Nepal.

[9A]

December 11, 2019

Noel Rosa’s 109th Birthday




Today’s Doodle celebrates the 109th birthday of the beloved Brazilian singer and songwriter Noel Rosa. Known as the “Poeta da Vila” [Poet from Vila], his observational and comedic style earned him a special place in the history of samba, the popular music of the Brazilian people.

Born in the Vila Isabel neighborhood of Rio de Janeiro on this day in 1910, Rosa grew up in a musical family. He started playing the mandolin at age 13 and soon learned the guitar as well.

A gifted student, he entered medical school in 1931. However, when he had to choose between medicine and music, Rosa’s choice became clear. Rosa devoted his energy to writing music and created his own style of samba by mixing witty lyrics with unpredictable twists and turns of melody and bridging the gap between rural Afro-Brazilian traditions and the sound of urban nightlife.

He had his breakthrough with "Com que roupa?," which became one of the biggest hits in 1931 in Brazil and the first of many memorable songs. With his songwriting partner Vadico, he also wrote a series of popular compositions such as "Feitiço da Vila" ["Witchcraft of the Villa"] and "Feitio de Oração" ["In the Form of a Prayer"].

Composing around 260 songs over a period of eight years, Rosa established a body of work that has remained popular to this day. His legacy lives on in the hearts of cariocas [residents of Rio de Janeiro] and samba lovers around the world.

Parabéns, Noel Rosa!

[9A]

November 12, 2018

Alexander Borodin’s 185th Birthday






The son of a Georgian prince, Alexander Porfiryevich Borodin was a sickly child who went on to create a powerful legacy in two different fields. Today’s Doodle celebrates the boy who grew up to become both a distinguished chemist and one of Russia’s greatest classical composers.

Born in St. Petersburg on this day in 1833, Borodin showed an early aptitude for science, languages, and music. While mastering German, French, and English, he began studying flute at age eight and later learned the violin and violoncello. By the age of 13 he’d already composed a piece for flute and piano — nevertheless, he considered music to be a hobby while his main focus was in the field of science.

At 17, Borodin began his studies at St Petersburg’s Medico-Surgical Academy, delving into botany, zoology, anatomy, and crystallography—but he soon specialized in organic chemistry, earning his doctorate in 1858. He went on to become a professor at his alma mater, conducting research on benzene derivatives and organic synthesis, and the discovery of the aldol reaction. He’s also remembered as a champion of women’s rights, having founded the Women’s Medical School in St. Petersburg, where he taught for many years. Still, the music kept calling him.

In the 1860s he met Mily Alexeyevich Balakirev, a pianist and composer who would become his musical mentor. Borodin soon made him part of a group known as “The Five” [aka “The Mighty Handful”] whose goal was to develop a distinctly Russian style of classical music. Borodin’s incorporation of traditional folk music, and his striking use of harmony in works like “The Steppes of Central Asia,” made him a leading figure of the Romantic era.

Championed by such fellow composers as Liszt, Debussy, and Ravel, Borodin’s work has had a lasting influence on classical music. His unforgettable melodies were adapted for Kismet, the Tony-Award-winning musical that went from Broadway to Hollywood with songs like “Stranger in Paradise.”

с Днем рожденья Alexander Borodin!

[9A]

November 12, 2011

Hua Luogeng's 101st Birthday




Hua Luogeng was well known for two important contributions. One was his work on one of the greatest unsolved mathematical problems, known as Goldbach's Conjecture.... and yes, it is a little trickier than 1+1, though it involves prime numbers! [We celebrated one of his students, Chen Jungrun, in a previous doodle, who made significant progress on this problem].

Luogeng was also known for his methodology on achieving efficiency, known as "Overall Coordination." His analogy, taught to most schoolchildren, lays out the premise of wanting to drink tea when you don't yet have boiled water. The most optimized approach is that you first rinse and fill the kettle and place it on the burner. Meanwhile, you should wash the serving teapot, the tea cups, and prepare the tea leaves. When the water has boiled, you can immediately brew your tea. That's multi-tasking boiled down for you!


posted by Mike Dutton

[9A]

November 12, 2017

Sor Juana Inés de la Cruz’s 366th Birthday





In 17th century Mexico [then New Spain], access to education and learning was intensely guarded by male clergy who excluded women. But a lone woman chose to challenge this. Sor Juana Inés de la Cruz was a self-taught Mexican scholar who became one of the most prolific authors, poets, philosophers, and playwrights of the Spanish Golden Age. She is considered the first published feminist of the New World, and her face is depicted on the 200 peso Mexican note.

Sor Juana entered the service of the Church at the age of twenty, and for over a decade learned alongside her male counterparts. Her style of writing ranged from the philosophically serious to irreverently comic to borderline profane. But as her influence grew so did her competition.

In 1690, her writings were deemed too worldly and she was advised to focus on religion - namely by the then Bishop of Puebla Manuel Fernández de Santa Cruz - and leave secular matters to men. In response to him, Sor Juana wrote La Respuesta a Sor Filotea de la Cruz [A Response to Sor Filotea de la Cruz], a manifesto defending a woman’s right to education. In it, she famously quoted an Aragonese poet: “one can perfectly well philosophize while cooking supper.”

Today’s Doodle celebrates this icon of feminism and knowledge who persevered no matter the obstacle.


¡Feliz Cumpleaños, Sor Juana!


Doodle by guest artist Rachel Levit

[9A]

November 12, 2014

Philae robotic lander lands on comet 67P/Churyumov–Gerasimenko




It may be one small step for the Philae robotic lander, but it’s one giant leap for the rest of us! The European Space Agency just made history by landing one of its robots on a comet–and our homepage–after more than 10 years of travel. Philae is expected to provide the first images ever seen from a comet’s surface.

[9A]

November 12, 2012

Auguste Rodin's 172nd Birthday






It was particularly daunting to tackle this incredible sculptor in a doodle. However, the essence of the project lay in the way Rodin approached his work. Amongst many of his attributes he was able to work rapidly and instinctively, using his immense anatomical knowledge as a platform for expressiveness.

We did not want to simply study a photograph, so we set out to draw his sculptures and dissect the results back at the studio. Although eventually using one of his most recognisable pieces with The Thinker, we were glad of the opportunity to capture his work onsite.

Sculpture is extraordinary in the sense that it does not "give you the line" as opposed to illustration, so we were forced to sculpt form with our pencils


Posted by Matthew Cruickshank, Doodler





A statue of sculptor Auguste Rodin’s ‘The Thinker’ is seen in front of the Detroit Institute of Arts museum along Woodward Avenue in Detroit, July 21, 2013. One of several castings of the original sculpture.

[9A]

November 12, 2013

Leon Štukelj's 115th Birthday





Leon Štukelj was a Slovene professional gymnast. He was a Olympic gold medalist and athlete who represented Yugoslavia at the Olympics.

He is a noted figure in Slovenian sporting history. Štukelj is one of the first Slovene athletes to have risen to the very top of his sport, where he remained right from the World Championships in Ljubljana in 1922 all the way to the 1936 Olympic Games in Berlin, at which point he finished his competitive gymnastics career.

Štukelj competed at seven major international competitions and won a total of twenty medals: eight gold, six silver, and six bronze. At the Olympic Games alone he won six medals: two gold medals [counted for Yugoslavia] in Paris in 1924, one gold medal and two bronze in Amsterdam in 1928, and a silver medal in Berlin in 1936.

[9A]

June 17, 2016

Adile Naşit’s 86th birthday




Today we celebrate Turkish actress Adile Naşit, who is remembered fondly as “the funny lady.” Naşit starred in the important Turkish films Neşeli Günler and Hababam Sınıfı [The Chaos Class] alongside her frequent co-star, Münir Özkul. She is best remembered for reading bedtime stories to the children of Turkey through her children’s program, Uykudan Önce or “Before Sleep.” On what would have been her 86th birthday, we remember Naşit and her infectious laugh.

[9A]

April 27, 2017

King's Day 2017




King’s Day [formerly “Queen’s Day”] is the annual Dutch national holiday in honor of King Willem-Alexander, who turns 50 today. This day is celebrated all over the Netherlands, but Amsterdam is the centerpiece of the festivities, with over 750,000 people traveling here to partake in the fun. The day starts bright and early and calls for partiers to put on their best orange outfits [the national color] and take to the streets in the morning.

On this day, street-selling regulations are lifted, so the entire city becomes an enormous open air flea market for shopping second-hand treasures. Kids sell their toys, artists sell their handicrafts, homemakers sell delicious baked goods...and it’s all found at discounted “friends and family” style rates. This element of the cultural tradition poignantly illustrates the entrepreneurial and community-driven spirit of the country.

Today’s Doodle by Dutch Doodle artist Gerben Steenks salutes the King on his 50th birthday year. Happy King’s Day to all!

[9A]

April 27, 2021

South Africa Freedom Day 2021




On this day in 1994, South Africa held its first post-apartheid elections, which granted citizens—regardless of their race—an equal opportunity to vote for their national leaders. Today’s Doodle honors this milestone anniversary, recognized annually as South Africa’s Freedom Day, with a depiction of the country’s national flower: the protea.

A symbol of South African identity and diversity, over 330 species of protea are found within national borders. The evolutionary origins of the protea trace back approximately 300 million years, making this ancient genus one of the oldest families of flowering plants found on Earth. Protea iconography is featured across South Africa, from passports to birth certificates, to the 5-rand coin and the name of the national cricket team: the Proteas.

Freedom Day honors all of the progress made since the historic 1994 elections, but today’s observances also remind South Africans of the ways they can continue to unify the great nation in the name of equality.

Happy Freedom Day, South Africa!

[9A]

August 15, 2020

India Independence Day 2020





Today’s Doodle, illustrated by Mumbai-based guest artist Sachin Ghanekar, commemorates the Independence Day of the world’s largest democracy: India. On this day in 1947, India became a sovereign, independent nation after nearly a century of British rule.

Featured in the Doodle artwork are several iconic Indian folk instruments, including the tutari, shehnai, dhol, veena, sarangi and bansuri. From the versatile double-reeded shehnai to the resonant stringed sarangi, these instruments are but a few that make up India’s rich musical legacy, which dates back over 6,000 years.

The musical diversity represented by this unique collection reflects the patchwork of Indian cultures that is celebrated across the nation today.

Happy Independence Day, India!

[9A]

August 15, 2018

India Independence Day 2018




Thousands of kites dot the skies over India as the country celebrates its 72nd Independence Day. Both a solemn and joyful occasion, this marks the day in 1947 when India became an independent, autonomous state, fulfilling the dream of leaders like Mahatma Gandhi and Jawaharlal Nehru.

Commemorations begin on the eve of August 15, when the president delivers an address to the nation and citizens reflect on modern India’s origins as they look with pride toward the future. On Indian television you’ll find films honoring India’s history running around the clock. Crowds of people sing the national anthem, “Jana Gana Mana,” which was played in 1947 at the United Nations to mark India’s entry.

Today’s Doodle—featuring images of some of India’s iconic colorful plantlife and mighty animals—was inspired by Indian truck art, a long-standing tradition in this four million square kilometer nation where truckers who live on the road surround themselves with cheerful folk art to occupy their minds during long months away from their families.

Happy Swatantrata Diwas

[9A]

August 15, 2018

National Liberation Day of Korea 2018




August 15th is the National Liberation Day of Korea or Gwangbokjeol, meaning “Restoration of Light.” One of the few holidays celebrated all over Korea, Gwangbokjeol marks the end of World War II and the Korean peninsula becoming a sovereign nation.

This national holiday is celebrated by Korean communities all over the world by sharing a meal of bibimbap and kimchi, singing Korean folk songs, or playing a game of yut.

The flag seen in today’s Doodle, known as T'aegukki, will be displayed atop public buildings, in doorways or even in trees. The name T'aegukki derives from the taeguk circle in the center, whose red upper section corresponds to the yang and the blue section to the yin. The white background represents peace and purity, while the black trigrams in the four corners illustrate Taoist principles of reality: sky [Geon] on the upper left, water [Gam] on the upper right, earth [Gon] on the lower right, and [Ri] fire on the lower left.


Happy Gwangbokjeol!

[9A]

August 15, 2010

National Liberation Day of Korea 2010

[9A]

July 1, 2020

Celebrating the Litfaßsäule






Today’s Doodle, illustrated by Hamburg-based guest artists Rocket & Wink, celebrates the Litfaßsäule. These iconic advertising pillars were named after the man who first suggested them, Ernst Litfaß [pronounced Lit-fass]. On this date in 1855, to the fanfare of a live orchestra, Berlin’s very first Litfaßsäule was dedicated at the intersection of Münzstraße and what is today Almstadtstraße.

Before the creation of Litfaßsäule, Berlin had a problem with advertisements—they were scattered all over the city, from walls to fences and everywhere in between. The widespread clutter irked Litfaß, and so the clever printer and publisher proposed these dedicated advertising pillars to be placed on Berlin’s busiest corners and plazas as a more organized alternative.

The city agreed to commission 150 pillars as an official system for paid advertisements, and before long the columns were lined cleanly with eye-catching notices for cultural institutions like theaters and dance halls. The unusual, three-meter-tall fixtures were met with huge popularity among Berlin’s residents. Over the decades, the Litfaßsäule came to serve as a symbol of Berlin, and booklovers may even recognize one from the famous cover of Erich Kästner's 1929 children’s book “Emil and the Detectives.”

Today, there are over 50,000 Litfaßsäule—many like those depicted in the Doodle artwork—in use throughout Germany, and they still serve as a popular and practical advertising channel for local events and small organizations. While many of Berlin’s original pillars have since been removed or replaced by newer models, it’s clear that the Litfaßsäule continue to hold a special place in the hearts of the city’s residents.

Danke to all the Litfaßsäulen that have helped make Berlin such a special place!

[9A]

September 13, 2019

Mid Autumn Festival 2019 [China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Malaysia]





Today’s Doodle represents the Mid-Autumn Festival, one of the most important annual holidays in East Asia. The event, also known as the Moon Festival, takes place every year on the first full moon after the fall equinox, traditionally the fifteenth day of the eighth month of the lunar calendar. Originally celebrated in China for thousands of years, the festival spread from the royal classes to the common folk and eventually all across the region⁠—including Hong Kong, Taiwan, and Malaysia with each local culture adding its own customs.

No Moon Festival is complete without mooncakes, traditionally baked or steamed at home but now sold everywhere in a wide range of flavors from savory to sweet. In China, this is a time for joyful family reunions and making offerings to the moon. After a traditional meal of duck and taro [preferably served at the grandparents' home], Chinese families offer mooncakes and special fruits to the moon before sharing mooncakes together.

In Hong Kong, lantern carnivals take place all over the country, the biggest of all in Victoria Park on Hong Kong Island. Besides admiring the elaborate lanterns, visitors can try answering lantern riddle quizzes or visiting the Tai Hang Fire Dragon Dance near Hong Kong’s Causeway Bay.

In Taiwan, the Mid-Autumn Festival is a time for telling stories about the moon, including the legend of Chang’e the Moon Goddess of Immortality and the Jade Rabbit. Some families organize moon-gazing trips or barbecue by moonlight. Children use the rind of the pomelo, a large citrus fruit, to make hats for good luck.

Malaysia celebrates Mid-Autumn Festival with a lantern parade. In Penang, the parade is known as a “River of Lights,” while the streets of Kuala Lumpur are filled with dragon and lion dances, as well as colorful floats depicting Chang’e and other Moon Festival characters.


中秋快乐! Happy Mid-Autumn Festival!

[9A]

September 13, 2015

22nd anniversary of the official recognition of French traditional bread






It’s difficult to appreciate something as humble as a loaf of bread--the transformative powers of yeast, the unequivocal and even legal necessity of proper kneading--without having tried to bake one yourself. So while artist Matt Cruickshank sketched today’s Doodle, we tried. A lot.

There's nothing quite like freshly baked bread. Its magic transcends the sum of its parts: the crunch of the crust, the spring of the crumb; the way its scent suffuses the air with warmth.

I've baked sporadically since I first tried the bread recipe in a cookbook my aunt gave me when I was a child, and my love of bread and baking was nurtured by my father's delicious weekend breads. When I joined the doodle team last year, I hadn't baked in a while, but in short order discovered that several of my teammates were active bakers. There were often fresh baked treats passed around at our Tuesday morning brainstorming sessions, and, my interest rekindled, I began taking to the oven regularly.

After several months, I had yet to attempt the true test of a baker's skill: the baguette. I went to work, researching recipes and techniques, poring over pictures, visiting local bakeries, and trying my hand every weekend. I baked baguettes until I had no room left to store them.

The perfect baguette--if it exists--is elusive, and the French bakers capable of producing anything close are true artisans. To celebrate the French government’s 1993 décret pain, we offer a look into our enthusiastic, sometimes moderately successful, often mutated attempts at proper French bread.

Jonathan Shneier, Doodle Engineer and Baker in Residence

The rise

Stretching and folding

Nope

Some of our finest work

[9A]

September 13, 2014

Laura Secord's 239th Birthday






“The Americans are coming!” Those were not the words of Paul Revere but of Canadian heroine Laura Secord, who warned British forces of an impending American attack during the War of 1812. Secord walked 20 miles in the early morning hours to the DeCew House, the HQ of British lieutenant and war hero James FitzGibbon. We mark what would have been her 239th birthday in our doodle in Canada today.

[9A]

December 18, 2019

Qatar National Day 2019





Today’s Doodle celebrates Qatar’s National Day, marking 141 years since its unification. Also known as Founder’s Day, this is the day when Qataris come together for special festivities that memorialize their nation’s independence and unique history.

From the modern Drone Air Show featuring an array of synchronized drones over the Katara sky, to the traditional Darb Al Saai celebrations featuring camel and horse exhibitions, falconry, and cultural bazaars, the entire Arabian peninsula of Qatar is energized with patriotism and collective pride for over a week of events.

Some of the many highlights include aerial shows, one of which broke the world record last year for the largest parachute formation at night. No stranger to breaking records, in 2013 the Qatari nation created the world’s largest flag. Made in honor of the country’s National Day, the flag measured 101,978 m², the size of 14 football pitches!​

Happy National Day, Qatar!

[9A]

December 18, 2011

Christoffer Polhem's 350th Birthday



Christopher Polhammar [18 December 1661 – 30 August 1751] better known as
Christopher Polhem, which he took after his ennoblement in 1716, was a Swedish scientist, inventor and industrialist. He made significant contributions to the economic and industrial development of Sweden, particularly mining. He was ennobled by King Charles XII of Sweden for his contributions to Swedish technological development.

[9A]

December 18, 2014

Henrietta Edwards' 165th Birthday





This depiction of one of Canada's greatest advocates for women was illustrated by guest artist, Kate Beaton who has been known to explore the lives of other historical figures in her collection, Hark! A Vagrant.

We asked Kate to share some of her thoughts on Henrietta Edwards below:

I think that when it comes to notable people in the women's rights movement in Canadian history, there are names we know like Nellie McClung or Emily White. They are the token examples in the high school history text; the answer to a multiple choice question somewhere. Maybe we know "The Famous Five" and what they did with the Person's Case, but I doubt many of us can list the individual women themselves. I believe Henrietta Muir Edwards is one of the women who deserves a wider recognition for her work. Montreal-born--a transplant to the Prairies later in life--she fought for women's rights, women's education, women's work and women's health, across the country and from a very young age. She was a writer, an artist, a lawmaker and a teacher. She allied herself with likeminded activists and founded a number of movements and societies to improve the lives of women. Henrietta was a woman who made things happen and fought for it all with unflappable conviction. Canada is a richer country for having her as a citizen.

An alternate draft idea for
Henrietta Edwards by Kate

[9A]

December 18, 2012

120th Anniversary of the Nutcracker Ballet






Although the original production was not a success, the 20-minute suite that Tchaikovsky extracted from the ballet was. The complete Nutcracker has enjoyed enormous popularity since the late 1960s and is now performed by countless ballet companies, primarily during the Christmas season, especially in North America.[1] Major American ballet companies generate around 40% of their annual ticket revenues from performances of The Nutcracker. The ballet's score has been used in several film adaptations of Hoffmann's story.

Tchaikovsky's score has become one of his most famous compositions. Among other things, the score is noted for its use of the celesta, an instrument that the composer had already employed in his much lesser known symphonic ballad The Voyevoda.

[9A]

December 18, 2009

Jan Evangelista Purkyne's Birthday




Jan Evangelista Purkyně was a Czech anatomist and physiologist. In 1839, he coined the term protoplasm for the fluid substance of a cell. He was one of the best known scientists of his time. Such was his fame that when people from outside Europe wrote letters to him, all that they needed to put as the address was "Purkyně, Europe".

[9A]

December 18, 2013
Qatar National Day 2013





The Pearl-Qatarin Doha, Qatar, is an artificial island spanning nearly four square kilometers. It is the first land in Qatar to be available for freehold ownership by foreign nationals. As of 2018, there are 27,000 residents.

The holiday was established on June 21, 2007, and was initially celebrated on September 3, the day of Qatar's Independence.

On this day, Qataris decorate their cars and houses by putting on the national flag or other patriotic symbols. The country's flag is a unique combination of national identity and pride, a symbol of significance and belonging.

Qatar is a proud nation. It's a country that has kept its people strong and united. National Day is an annual reminder of the country's core values; loyalty, solidarity and pride. It's a day to get inspired by the past, celebrate the present, and gaze at the future - a promising future that preserves the country's rich heritage and identity.

[9A]

December 18, 2011

Yury Nikulin's 90th Birthday





Yuri Vladimirovich Nikulin was a Soviet and Russian actor and clown who starred in many popular films. He is best known for his roles in Leonid Gaidai's comedies, such as The Diamond Arm and Kidnapping, Caucasian Style, although he occasionally starred in dramatic roles and performed in Moscow Circus.

He was awarded the title of People's Artist of the USSR in 1973 and Hero of Socialist Labour in 1990. He also received a number of state awards, including the prestigious Order of Lenin, which he received twice in his lifetime.

[9A]

Dec 19, 2011

110th Anniversary of the Uganda Railway's Completion



The Uganda Railway was a metre-gauge railway system and former British state-owned railway company. The line linked the interiors of Uganda and Kenya with the Indian Ocean port of Mombasa in Kenya. After a series of mergers and splits, the line is now in the hands of the Kenya Railways Corporation and the Uganda Railways Corporation.

[9A]

December 19, 2016

Franz Sacher’s 200th Birthday






In the world of baked goods, few cakes have the culinary status–or intriguing backstory–of the Sacher-Torte, first concocted by the Austrian confectioner, Franz Sacher, in Vienna in 1832.

Perhaps destiny had a hand in its creation. Sacher was a 16-year-old apprentice honing his craft in the court of Austrian state chancellor, Prince Metternich, when the kitchen was tasked with creating a special dessert for the prince’s fussy guests. On the day of the dinner, the chef became ill, and the tall order fell to Sacher.


The trainee whipped up a chocolate cake topped with apricot jam and bittersweet chocolate icing. It was a hit with the prince’s guests, but it wasn’t until Sacher’s son Eduard refined the recipe decades later, that the Sacher-Torte became a Viennese sensation.

Today, the dessert is a signature of Café Sacher in Vienna's Hotel Sacher [and other locations in Austria]. The authentic recipe for the Original Sacher-Torte remains a deep, dark, delicious secret.

Our Doodle honors Sacher’s 200th birthday with an animation of his famous cake, illustrated Viennese style with a pot of coffee. With each “bite,” the torte slices slowly disappear, leaving barely a crumb.

[9A]

Dec 21, 2016

Paco de Lucía’s 69th Birthday





Today’s Doodle pays tribute to the masterful strumming of Paco de Lucía, who would’ve been 69 today. Regarded as one of the world’s greatest guitarists, the musical virtuoso is credited with modernizing flamenco and bringing it to the international stage.

Born Francisco Sánchez Gómez into a family of musicians in southern Spain, he was fascinated with the guitar from an early age. Although he received his first lessons from his father, it was his mother, Lucía, who inspired his stage name. After winning his first international flamenco competition at the age of 14, de Lucía went on to collaborate with Camarón de la Isla, one of the genre’s most celebrated singers. In 1973, he released one of his career-defining songs, Entre Dos Aguas, which received international acclaim.

De Lucía spent many years touring the world, introducing new instruments to the genre, like the Peruvian cajón, and infusing it with jazz and other styles along the way. His revolutionary approach to flamenco left an indelible mark on music both in Spain and beyond.


Doodle by Sophie Diao

[9A]

Jan 2, 2017

Hussein Amin Bicar's 104th Birthday





Hussein Amin Bicar was a renowned Egyptian painter, musician, writer and art educator. He taught and influenced many generations of art students at the Faculty of Fine Arts in Cairo. Bicar was known for his kindness, humanity and passion for making art accessible to all.

As a young artist, Bicar mastered many techniques, styles and mediums. As a more mature painter, he developed a style that simplified and streamlined human figures and landscapes into elegant and refined forms. He drew upon historical Egyptian art traditions and combined them with his knowledge of contemporary and modern art approaches. The subjects of his paintings were often pulled from Egypt’s rural and agricultural cultures.

In addition to painting, Bicar also pursued work as a writer and illustrator. He wrote and illustrated for many newspapers, magazines and his own children’s books. In 1952 he was a founding illustrator for "Sinbad," the first Arabic children's magazine. His work influenced many subsequent children’s magazines in the Arabic-speaking world.

Bicar was also passionate about music. He was a talented Bouzouki and Oud player, and played traditional and classic music in several bands. Today's Google Doodle pays homage to Bicar and his final painting: a portrait of himself, playing the Bouzouki surrounded by blank papers, canvas and his beloved cat.

[9A]

January 2, 2009

Elfstedentocht 2009





The Elfstedentocht is a long-distance tour skating event on natural ice, almost 200 kilometres [120 mi] long, which is held both as a speed skating competition [with 300 contestants] and a leisure tour [with 16,000 skaters]. It is held in the province of Friesland in the north of the Netherlands, leading past all eleven historical cities of the province. The tour is held at most once a year, only when the natural ice along the entire course is at least 15 centimetres [6 in] thick; sometimes on consecutive years, other times with gaps that may exceed 20 years. When the ice is suitable, the tour is announced and starts within 48 hours.

[9A]

September 18, 2010

Oktoberfest 2010







The Oktoberfest is the world's largest Volksfest [beer festival and travelling funfair]. It is held annually in Munich, Bavaria, Germany. It is a 16- to 18-day folk festival running from mid- or late September to the first Sunday in October, with more than six million people from around the world attending the event every year. Locally, it is called d’Wiesn, after the colloquial name for the fairgrounds, Theresienwiese. The Oktoberfest is an important part of Bavarian culture, having been held since the year 1810. Other cities across the world also hold Oktoberfest celebrations that are modeled after the original Munich event.

During the event, large quantities of Oktoberfest Beer are consumed. During the 16-day festival in 2013, for example, 7.7 million litres were served. Visitors also enjoy numerous attractions, such as amusement rides, sidestalls, and games. There is also a wide variety of traditional foods available.

[9A]

September 18, 2015

Rugby World Cup 2015 Opening Day





Coming through!

Having grown up playing rugby in England, I can still feel the muddy squelch in my boots lining up on the pitch for lessons. Our doodle celebrates the girth and gracefulness of the 2015 World Cup players.

After a few concepts I concentrated on the vice like grip of an arm around the ball and how this could be used as a "G". I even added rain for the full effect.

Good luck to all involved in the tournament!


Matt Cruickshank, Doodler

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Sep 21, 2015

Arbor Day 2015 [Brazil]






Today we celebrate Arbor Day by taking time to appreciate and help preserve the environment around us. Trees provide shelter, food, clean air, and many other benefits for wildlife and humans alike.

Doodler Olivia When chose to make a short, serene, looping animation featuring a callicarpa reevesii tree and a sabiá bird, both of which are native to beautiful Brazil.

[9A]

Sep 23, 2015

First Day of Fall 2015 [Northern Hemisphere]





Notice what’s been popping up lately? Pumpkins, squash, and some curious little critters, hungry for a harvest?

No surprise – today’s the first day of fall! It’s also known as the Autumnal Equinox, a time when day and night are equally long... meaning nature’s about to make way for the shorter days of winter. Today's doodle, created by guest artist Kirsten Lepore, shows off the colorful offerings of fall we’ll enjoy during the cooler months ahead.

[9A]

September 23, 2011

Jaroslav Seifert's 110th Birthday






Jaroslav Seifert was a Nobel Prize–winning Czechoslovak writer, poet and journalist. In 1984 Jaroslav Seifert won the Nobel Prize in Literature "for his poetry which endowed with freshness, sensuality and rich inventiveness provides a liberating image of the indomitable spirit and versatility of man".

[9A]

September 23, 2012

Saudi Arabia National Day 2012



Saudi National Day is celebrated in Saudi Arabia every 23 September to commemorate the renaming of the Kingdom of Nejd and Hejaz to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia by royal decree of King Abdul Aziz Al Saud in 1932.

It was made a national holiday by King Abdullah in 2005. The number of lunar, not solar, years are commemorated.

[9A]

September 23, 2015

Saudi Arabia National Day 2015





Seated on the central coast of the Red Sea, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia’s second largest city, is home to the magnificent display of maritime engineering seen at the center of today’s Doodle. Spraying a plume of water nearly 1,000 feet in the air, King Fahad’s Fountain is the tallest manmade geyser in the world. At night, the immense stream and its trails of mist are illuminated by over 500 high-intensity spotlights, a spectacle that dominates the night sky above Jeddah and can be seen from all over the city.

[9A]

September 23, 2013

Saudi National Day 2013

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Sep 24, 2011

Jim Henson's 75th Birthday



We’re thrilled to share this guest post by Brian Henson about his father—puppeteer, director and producer Jim Henson, best known as the creator of the Muppets. For the next 36 hours, we’re honoring Jim’s birthday on our homepage with a special doodle created in tandem withThe Jim Henson Company. -Ed.

When we were kids, my brother and sisters and I were always allowed to stay up late to watch our father’s appearances on The Tonight Show or The Ed Sullivan Show. No matter how late it was or how young we were, my mother would wake us up and trundle us down to the living room television. We’d be giddy—like Christmas. When he came home, he’d head down to the garage where he had a workshop, and repair everything that we broke while he was away—or build a dollhouse for one of my sisters. Jim never stopped making things.

He also loved games—card games, board games, all kinds of games. He was one of those rare parents who was always ready to play again. He loved dogs, particularly goofy ones. And he lived for those moments when everyone laughed so hard they couldn’t talk. I often walked onto the Muppet set to find everyone just laughing hysterically.

Although he loved family, his work was almost never about “traditional” families. The Muppets were a family—a very diverse one. One of his life philosophies was that we should love people not for their similarities, but for their differences.

Jim often had a little lesson about the important things in life: How to be a good person. How to believe in yourself and follow your dreams. And above all, how to forgive. If anything was stolen from one of us—like when the car was broken into—he would always say, “Oh well, they probably needed that stuff more than we did.”

He loved gadgets and technology. Following his lead, The Jim Henson Company continues to develop cutting-edge technology for animatronics and digital animation, like this cool Google doodle celebrating Jim’s 75th birthday. But I think even he would have found it hilarious the way today some people feel that when they’ve got their smartphone, they no longer need their brain.

Jim was clearly a great visionary. But he also wanted everyone around him fully committed creatively. If you asked him how a movie would turn out, he’d say, “It’ll be what this group can make, and if you changed any one of them, it would be a different movie.” Every day for him was joyously filled with the surprises of other people’s ideas. I often think that if we all lived like that, not only would life be more interesting, we’d all be a lot happier.

Posted by Brian Henson, Chairman of The Jim Henson Company

[9A]

Oct 1, 2011

Grete Waitz's 58th Birthday






Grete Waitz [née Andersen, 1 October 1953 – 19 April 2011] a Norwegian marathon runner and former world record holder. In 1979, she became the first woman in history to run the marathon in under two and a half hours. She won nine New York City Marathons, women's division, between 1978 and 1988, more than any other runner in history. She won a silver medal at the 1984 Olympic Games in Los Angeles and a gold medal at the 1983 World Championships in Helsinki. Her other marathon victories included winning the London Marathon in 1983 and 1986. She was also a five-time winner of the World Cross Country Championships.

Waitz won 12 World Marathon Majors, the most for any runner.

[9A]

October 14, 2002

Canadian Thanksgiving 2002

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Oct 31, 2002

Halloween 2002

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Dec 6, 2015

Finland National Day 2015





Today is itsenäisyyspäivä, Finland's Independence Day. Doodler Alyssa Winans and her colleague in Helsinki illustrated today's design with a cozy-looking home flying the siniristilippu [blue-cross flag].

Many Finns do indeed stay indoors for this holiday: they gather around televisions to watch a national broadcast of Tuntematon sotilas [The Unknown Soldier], a film based on the novel by Väinö Linna. They're also entertained by live coverage of the Independence Day Reception, an annual event at the Presidential Palace that honors veterans and attracts glamorous guests. This year, the chosen theme for the party was "culture". And to that, we raise our glasses. Kippis!

[9A]

Dec 7, 2015

Matilde Pérez's 99th Birthday






Borrowing ideas from the kinetic style that made Matilde Pérez an internationally recognized artist, Nate Swinehart added some movement to today’s homepage. Born in 1916, Pérez painted and sculpted into her nineties, using the interplay of abstract shapes and sharp colors to create optical and aesthetic effects of motion. Today would have been her 99th birthday. Feliz cumpleaños, Matilde.