Google doodles

[9A]

Jan 20, 2020
Mufidah Abdul Rahman's 106th Birthday




Today’s Doodle, illustrated by Cairo-based guest artist Deena Mohamed, celebrates Egyptian lawyer Mufidah Abdul Rahman on her 106th birthday. Born in Cairo on this day in 1914, she was among the first women to graduate from Cairo University’s Faculty of Law and became the premier female attorney in Egypt. Her determined efforts in and out of the courtroom helped forge the path to political equality for Egyptian women.

While practicing law, Mufidah built relationships with like-minded women advocates and was inspired to co-found the National Feminist Party, a women’s organization fighting for universal suffrage in Egypt. Her social advocacy led her to be recruited into Bint al-Nil [[“Daughter of the Nile”), a feminist union seeking to overcome sociocultural repressions that the women of this era faced.

In 1951, Bint al-Nil founder Doria Shafik led an interruption of the Egyptian Parliament to demand women’s right to vote and hold political office. In response, Shafik was summoned to court and handpicked the esteemed Abdul Rahman to defend her.

Considered to be a case against not only Shafik but also the Egyptian women’s rights movement as a whole, the trial presented a critical opportunity for advocates to have their voices heard. Mufidah’s impassioned defense of Shafik fanned the flames of the cause, and this landmark case helped Egyptian women win their right to vote in 1956.

This Doodle also highlights the more personal moments in Abdul Rahman’s life, from being the young lawyer who received payment in eggs and fruits to the mother who enjoyed a rich family life with her nine children and supportive husband.

Throughout her distinguished career, Abdul Rahman defended over 400 court cases, became a member of Egyptian Parliament, and never stopped fighting justice.

[9A]

March 20, 2018
Fall Equinox 2018 [[Southern Hemisphere)







Happy Fall Equinox!

Today marks the first day of autumn, astronomically speaking at least. The autumnal equinox — the celestial event in which the sun is directly above the equator — occurs around 4:15 UTC. That means night and day will be almost exactly equal in length, since the earth’s tilt and position in orbit render it parallel with the sun. Just following the equinox, the southern hemisphere will gradually begin to tilt away from the sun’s rays and usher in the cool, crisp autumn weather.

This year’s seasonal Doodle series protagonist, Quinn, curiously follows the path of a falling leaf, waking up a new friend hidden in the deciduous mound. Surely as the trees begin to turn, many, like Quinn, will find warmth in the company of friends old and new, and fun in the potential of colorful, crunchy leaf piles!

[9A]

Mar 21, 2018
Nowruz 2018





A buzzing bee and a big-eyed bug greet each other in a forest of fresh green leaves and blooming flowers. Spring has officially arrived.

In a tradition dating back 3000 years, the exact moment that the sun crosses the equator marks the start of Nowruz, the Persian New Year. After weeks of spring cleaning, families come together to feast and wish each other good luck for the dawning new year.

While music and sports are a key part of the weeklong festivities in Azerbaijan, our friends in Uzbekistan enjoy a traditional meal of ‘sumalyak’, signifying life, abundance and warmth. In Kyrgyzstan, everyone turns out for public concerts as the air hums with the joyful rhythm of the traditional ‘komuz'. And in Iran, people look for the closest source of fresh flowing water to set afloat a sabzeh [[fresh grass or sprouts), thus bidding farewell to the old and ushering in the new.

Happy Nowruz!

[9A]

Mar 21, 2018
Ustad Bismillah Khan’s 102nd Birthday






Today we celebrate the birthday of Ustad Bismillah Khan, shehnai maestro and one of India’s most beloved musicians.

Born in Bhirung Raut Ki Gali, Bihar to a family of court musicians, it is said that his grandfather exclaimed “Bismillah!” upon seeing his grandson, and the name stuck. In subsequent years, as his mastery over the shenai grew, the public added the honorific, Ustad [[master) to his name.

Both India’s declaration of independence from the ramparts of the Red Fort in 1947 and the creation of the Indian republic three years later in 1950 were heralded by Ustad Bismillah Khan’s shehnai. To this day, Republic Day celebrations are broadcast to the opening notes of his music.

Though he started playing in public at the age of 14, Ustad ji’s performance at the All India Music Conference at Kolkata in 1937 became a defining moment in his career. Three decades later, when he performed at the Edinburgh Music Festival, the shehnai acquired a global audience, and in the minds of millions, became synonymous with its player.

Ustad ji was famously devoted to his art and often referred to his shehnai as his begum [[wife). He is one of the few musicians to receive the Bharat Ratna, India’s highest civilian honor in addition to all four Padma awards. Despite the fame, Ustad Bismillah Khan remained a simple man, living his whole life in Varanasi and dreaming of a world unified by music.

[9A]

Apr 3, 2018
Kamaladevi Chattopadhyay’s 115th Birthday





Today we celebrate Kamaladevi Chattopadhyay: freedom fighter, art enthusiast, social activist, actor, youth leader, and forward-thinking women’s movement organizer [[and all in one lifetime!).

Chattopadhyay’s contributions to India were numerous. Though widely known for persuading Mahatma Gandhi to call upon women to march with him in the Indian Independence Movement in the early 20th century, s he is also credited for reinvigorating the culture of Indian handicrafts, handlooms, and theatre, and for using cooperative grassroots movements to pave the way for a higher socioeconomic standard for Indian women around the country.

Chattopadhyay had a career of ‘firsts’ - from being the first woman to run for Legislative office to setting up some of the first national institutions to archive, protect, and promote Indian dance, drama, art, puppetry, music, and handicrafts. She was also one of the few women of her time to propose that women’s rights, religious freedoms, environmental justice, political independence, and civil rights are all interrelated movements.

Today’s Doodle by Finland-based Desi artist Parvati Pillai depicts Chattopadhyay surrounded by many of the cultural objects and practices she fought to elevate and protect, including the bhangra, the sitar, the sarangi, Karthak dance, Chhau dance, embroidery, basket weaving, and Kathaputli.

[9A]

January 9, 2018
25th Anniversary of Rafflesia Arnoldii







If screens emitted scents, you’d be in for quite the stench. The pale green fumes bursting from today’s Doodle evoke the odor of Rafflesia arnoldii, an Indonesian plant that produces the largest flower in the world. This day marks the 25th anniversary of its distinction as a national rarity in its native Indonesia.

Known as bunga bangkai, or “the corpse flower” among locals, Rafflesia arnoldii gives off the aroma of rotting flesh, which baits the carrion flies that pollinate it. Its plump, red-brown petals, freckled with white spots, only emerge from Tetrastigma, the vine-like plants that host it, when it’s ready to reproduce — making it an incredibly uncommon sight. Once in the open, Rafflesia arnoldii grows to around 3 feet [[1 meter) in diameter and blooms for just a few days.

But there’s more to this parasitic plant than its pungent perfume. Rafflesia arnoldii was named an Indonesian national “rare flower” in 1993’s Presidential Decree No. 4. This wondrous species is represented in the intricate patterns of traditional Indonesian batik, especially in the Bengkulu province of Sumatra, where it is often found.

[9A]

Mar 8, 2018
International Women's Day 2018




http://www.google.com/doodles/intern...omens-day-2018 [[interactive)

Those familiar with Doodles know that we frequently celebrate extraordinary women throughout history such as prominent inventors, scientists, writers, artists, activists, philanthropists, and so on. Today, we wanted to take the opportunity to celebrate the stories and voices of another group of extraordinary women—the everyday women living all over the world.

For today’s global, interactive Doodle, we reached out to 12 female artists of all backgrounds to share their personal stories in a series of visual narratives. Specifically, each story represents a moment, person, or event that has impacted their lives as women. While each artist tells a unique story, the themes are universal, reminding us of how much we often have in common. We hope that the combined power of words and images help bring these stories to life in a way that invokes feelings of understanding, empathy, and spirit of the day.

This project has been an incredible journey for us, and we’ve been moved by the candor, intimacy, and bravery of our contributors’ stories. Translating these works across 80+ languages and sharing them across a global audience means so much to us, and we hope that readers will go about their day feeling as inspired as we do.

Special thanks to our storytellers, readers, and everyone involved in this project to celebrate such an important day. And last -but certainly not least- thanks to all the women in our own lives who continue to move and change the world with their own stories.

[9A]

Oct 3, 2017
Gerardo Murillo's [[Dr. Atl) 142nd Birthday






Today's Doodle celebrates "Dr. Atl," born Gerardo Murillo in Guadalajara in 1875.

In a time of revolution and renaissance, Murillo greatly influenced Mexico’s political and cultural identity. He was an activist, artist, writer, journalist, and overall cultural leader.

Murillo pioneered the idea of artistic nationalism. To show his pride in his Mexican heritage, he took on the name "Atl," meaning water in Náhuatl. He worked his entire life to promote Native Mexican culture, writing extensively on folk art, music, and dance.

Murillo loved nature, and in volcanoes, he found his greatest inspiration. He frequently hiked to Popocatépetl and Iztaccíhuatl, living and painting on the volcanic slopes for weeks at a time. In 1943, he witnessed the birth of Paricutín and documented the experience in his book Cómo nace y crece un volcán, el Paricutín [[How a Volcano Is Born and Grows – Paricutín).

For his contributions to the artistic and cultural heritage of Mexico, he was awarded the Belisario Domínguez Medal of Honor and the National Arts Award.

[9A]

April 3, 2016
Start of the 100th tour of Flanders





Today marks the 100th tour of Flanders, or De Ronde van Vlaanderen, an annual springtime road cycling race held in Belgium since 1913. The race was put on hold during World War I, but has been held every year without interruption since 1919. The 2016 race covers 255 km [[158 mi) with 18 categorized climbs and 7 flat cobblestoned sections — a notoriously bumpy ride for cyclists.

This year’s race starts in Bruges, and Doodler Alyssa Winans has included a famous Belfry in the Grand Place, or Grote Markt where the race begins. Then, riders will head south to Torhout, where De Ronde's founder, Karel Van Wijnendaele was born.

[9A]

Apr 4, 2016
Cazuza’s 58th birthday





Like so many great rock musicians, Agenor Miranda Araújo Neto, better known as Cazuza, began his career rattling the walls of neighborhood garages. A native of Rio de Janeiro, he fell in with the fledgling rock group Barão Vermelho when a friend urged him to audition for their open lead vocalist position. After landing a song on the soundtrack for a local film, the group played at the first ever Rock in Rio music festival, and their popularity soared.

After four years with the band, Cazuza embarked on an enormously successful solo career. His music and profound lyrics were a testament to his travels in the UK and his brushes with Beat poetry in San Francisco. In 1988, Cazuza’s health declined, and in 1989 he announced that he had been living with AIDS. He continued to compose and perform despite the illness. Through his openness, charm, and advocacy, Cazuza helped ease the stigmas surrounding the LGBT and HIV-positive communities in Brazil. When he died in July of 1990, thousands lined the streets of Rio for his funeral procession.

[9A]

Apr 6, 2016
120th Anniversary of First Modern Olympic Games




Today is the 120th anniversary of the first modern Olympic games, which started in Athens, Greece in 1896. Officially called the Games of the I Olympiad, the events took place inside the Panathenaic Stadium.

The 1896 games included 9 different sports and 43 events. Most noteworthy was the marathon — it had the greatest number of international athletes ever. Equally noteworthy was its winner, Spyridon "Spyro" Louis, the only Greek champion in the athletics division, and a national hero for the host country. His monumental victory on that historic day continues to inspire Greek pride.

[9A]

Apr 20, 2016
Mohammed Ghani Hikmat’s 87th birthday




Today's Doodle celebrates famed Iraqi sculptor Mohammed Ghani Hikmat. Hikmat created well-regarded works such as Scheherazade and Shahrayar, and the Fountain of Kahramana. Many of his sculptures were inspired by the stories in 1,001 Nights — widely know as the 'Tales of Arabian Nights'. An activist as well as an artist, Hikmat was responsible for reclaiming art taken from the National Museum of Iraq during the political turbulence in the early 2000s. His work is displayed in city centers and busy squares as an ode to his deep connection to Iraqi culture.

Mohammed Ghani Hikmat's final work, "Iraq Rises Again," was finished nearly four years ago. It celebrates the ancestry of Iraq and the collaboration of its multiple ethnic groups in building the country's future. Hikmat is remembered today for his devotion to his people and his beautiful depictions of Iraqi life.

[9A]

Apr 21, 2016
R.A. Kartini's 137th Birthday






Born to a family of Javanese aristocrats in 1879, R.A. Kartini came into the world straddling two cultures. She had a deep affinity for her family and traditional Javanese customs, but was profoundly influenced by her brushes with progressive Dutch ideas and Western literature. Like all girls of noble birth in Java at the time, Kartini was removed from school at the age of twelve, but continued to devour books and cultivate her views on the position of women in society and the Javanese people under Dutch rule.

Kartini dreamed of opening a school for Javanese girls, and had nearly seen her plans come to life when she died giving birth at the age of twenty five. Despite her untimely passing, Kartini’s legacy would persist. She loved to write letters, and had made several important acquaintances through the mail. One of them, a Dutch politician named J.H. Abendanon, took an interest in Kartini and used her story to shine a light on Dutch policies in Java. He published a collection of her letters posthumously in Holland, where they circulated widely and helped direct society’s attention to the injustices of the colonial system in Southeast Asia. To this day, several schools bear her name.

[9A]

April 22, 2016
Earth Day 2016

Tundra and Polar Bear

The vastness of Earth’s diversity makes it an intimidating topic, but in the end I chose to highlight Earth’s five major biomes: the tundra, forest, grasslands, desert, and coral reefs. In each illustration, you’ll find one animal who’s been singled out for their 15 minutes of fame. Each time you visit Google.com, you’ll randomly receive one of the five doodles. Scroll down to admire a different side of Earth’s immense beauty.

Scientists estimate the Earth’s age at over 4.5 billion years, but its Day has only existed for 46. Earth Day inspires all of us to appreciate our big blue and green orb with events big and small, ranging from family hiking trips to citywide recycling initiatives.

Originally conceived by peace activist John McConnell in 1969, Earth Day as we know it was established by U.S. Senator Gaylord Nelson a year later. Concerned about humanity’s impact on the natural world, Nelson sought to raise public awareness of environmental issues by devoting a day to environmental events and education. Since its inception, Earth Day has spread to nearly 200 countries, with millions of celebrants all around the world.

Forest and Red Fox

Grasslands and Elephant


Desert and Tortoise

It’s a day to reflect. I am personally in awe of nature’s persistence and creativity. Our planet – with its alternate scorching heat and bitter cold, its jagged peaks and deep trenches – may not always be kind to its inhabitants. Yet somehow the flora and fauna of Earth manage to thrive. On a day like this, we remember and celebrate our home in this great and stunning ecosystem.
We live on a beautiful planet, and it’s the only one we’ve got. Happy Earth Day!

Aquatic/Ocean, Coral Reef and Octopus

[9A]

Apr 23, 2016
Celebrating William Shakespeare




Genius. There are many examples throughout human history, but today we celebrate one particularly brilliant one: William Shakespeare — writer, playwright, and one of the most eloquent voices of all time. Today, we celebrate his life and work.
A creative tour de force, Shakespeare officially wrote 38 plays in his 52 years, performing most of them at The Globe Theatre in London. Over the past four centuries, Shakespeare's poems, plays and other works have taken on a life of their own on stage, screen, and page. You can explore some of his works and those he has has inspired in the Shakespeare gallery of the Google Cultural Institute.

[9A]

Mar 10, 2018
Celebrating the Alishan Forest Railway





Imagine riding a train chugging along through a lush and misty forest. On your journey, you pass orchards of exotic fruits, taro fields, waterfalls, and soaring trees over a thousand years old….
This dream is a reality if you’re on board the Alishan Forest Railway, which makes its way through the Alishan National Forest, situated in the heart of Taiwan. Today’s Doodle celebrates the landmark on what is known as kickoff day for the Alishan "Cherry Blossom Season". Starting today, numerous visitors will take the forest rail up to the mountains to enjoy the beautiful cherry blossoms of Alishan.

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

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

[9A]

Mar 16, 2018
Dr. Esther Park’s 142nd Birthday





A century ago in Korea, it was considered improper for female patients to be examined by male doctors; as a result, women did not have access to proper medical care. That changed with the arrival of Dr. Esther Park, the first female doctor of Western medicine in Korea.

Park was born into a poor family as the youngest of four daughters in 1879, in Jeong-dong, Seoul. She was a gifted student at Ewha School, the first modern school for Korean women, particularly in English studies. As a result, she was introduced as an interpreter to an American doctor, Rosetta Sherwood Hall, involved in medical service missions in Korea. Although not initially interested in medicine, she became inspired after observing Hall flawlessly operate on a patient with a harelip.

After moving to Liberty, New York to study English, Park enrolled at a nursing school for one year, and in 1896, entered the Baltimore Women’s Medical School, the forerunner of Johns Hopkins Medical School. She became the first Korean woman to graduate from BWMS and receive a doctor’s degree.
Returning to Korea, Park began caring for female patients at Bogu Yeogwan, Korea’s first hospital for women. She would travel across Hwanghae and Pyongan Provinces to provide free care to women, caring for an average of over 5,000 patients per year for 10 years!

For her service, Dr. Park received a silver medal from Emperor Gojong. In 2006, she was also honored at the Korea Science and Technology Hall of Fame.

[9A]

Mar 25, 2018
Greece National Day 2018





On March 25th, 1821, Greece began its campaign for independence after nearly four centuries of Ottoman rule. Almost two hundred years later, Greeks around the world celebrate their hard-won freedom on this national holiday.

Today’s Doodle celebrates the day with a painterly depiction of a few national symbols—the blue-and-white striped flag, a crowning laurel wreath, and two pom-pommed tsarouchia: traditional Greek shoes still worn by the Evzones, the prestigious soldiers who comprise the Presidential National Guard.

In observance of the holiday, schools throughout Greece hold flag-day parades, where children dress in traditional outfits and wave Greek flags. The biggest procession of all takes place in Athens, where marching bands, military vehicles, and squadrons from the Hellenic Armed Forces draw thousands of spectators, including the president. The dignified Evzones are also part of the procession, and are likely heard before they are seen—the soles of their tsarouchia are embedded with at least 60 nails apiece, making their approach a thunderous celebration of this important day in history.

[9A]

Oct 7, 2017
Wilhelm Bartelmann’s 172nd Birthday




In 1882, 37-year-old Wilhelm Bartelmann, a master basket maker living in Rostock, Lübeck, received an unusual request.

The noblewoman Elfriede von Maltzahn wanted very much to enjoy a relaxing beach vacation [[as she did every year). But her annual ritual was threatened by rheumatism, aggravated by cold winds off the Baltic sea. Could Herr Bartelmann help?

He could, and did by inventing the Strandkorb — the iconic German ‘basket’ chair that protects holidaymakers from sun, wind, and neighboring eyes on northern beaches [[and in parks, in homes, and on mountains too).

The original chair was designed to seat only Fräulein Maltzahn. But company on the beach is always welcome, and most Strandkorbs today seat two people. In addition to shade, they sometimes provide folding tables, storage space, potential wedding venues, even mini-bars.

In honor of Bartelmann’s 172nd birthday, guest artist Stephanie Wunderlich has created this very special paper sculpture of the Strandkorb. Thank you Herr Bartelmann for your contribution to the good life. Alles Gute zum Geburtstag!

[9A]

Oct 16, 2017
Olaudah Equiano’s 272nd Birthday





Born in Nigeria, African writer and abolitionist Olaudah Equiano was sold into slavery as a boy. He braved the harsh conditions of the Middle Passage to the Caribbean and lived to tell his story.

Equiano was a seafarer, often working for captains and merchants. When given the chance to read and write, he learned swiftly. Equiano moved up the ranks, gaining rare promotions to seaman, then merchant. He carefully saved his earnings from side trades over the course of 3 years, eventually earning enough to buy his freedom.

Once a free man, Equiano published his memoir, The Interesting Narrative of the Life of Olaudah Equiano, which became one of the earliest bestsellers by an African author. The book detailed his life, travels, and the slave trade, helping to sway public opinion against slavery. He also founded Sons of Africa, an anti-slavery organization consisting of leaders in London’s black community, and gave lectures to the public and politicians.

Change due to Equiano’s efforts would come a decade after his death with the passing of Abolition of the Slave Trade Act in 1807.

As the UK celebrates Black History Month, we wish a Happy 272nd Birthday to Olaudah Equiano!

[9A]

April 3, 2020
Lola Álvarez Bravo’s 117th Birthday



Today’s Doodle celebrates one of Mexico’s first professional female photographers, Lola Álvarez Bravo, on her 117th birthday. Known for her portraits of public figures, as well as street photography chronicling decades of Mexican life, she is considered one of the country’s pioneers of modernist photography.

Born Dolores Martinez de Anda in Jalisco, Mexico, on this day in 1903, the future photographer moved to Mexico City as a child. It was from her neighbor, Manuel Bravo, that she first learned the basics of photography, including developing photos in the darkroom. The pair married in 1925, and both went on to achieve enormous acclaim for their work.

Álvarez Bravo became a central figure in Mexico’s post-revolution cultural renaissance, and among her most internationally-renowned photographs were those taken in the mid-1940s of her friend, and one of the country’s most iconic artists, the painter Frida Kahlo. Through her photojournalistic lens, Álvarez Bravo captured scenes of everyday Mexican life, from local traditions to outdoor barbershops, portraying the depth and breadth of the country’s culture across a career spanning more than half a century.

In 1981, Álvarez Bravo’s home state of Jalisco awarded her a medal of distinction for her contribution to the arts, and four years later, a plaque was installed in her honor in Guadalajara’s historic Degollada Theater.

[9A]

Apr 22, 2020
Earth Day 2020


http://www.google.com/doodles/earth-day-2020

I immigrated to the U.S. from Cuba at the age of one. The neighborhood I grew up in was a crowded, urban area where one-third of the multi-ethnic community lived in poverty. Finding fresh fruit or vegetables to eat was next to impossible: the nearest supermarket mostly stocked processed foods, and our local restaurants were all fast food chains. There wasn’t a tree or garden in sight; the only park was full of concrete.


We lived in a food desert, and it took a toll on the community. Rampant health issues like obesity, diabetes, and asthma were largely the result of poor nutrition and a degraded environment. We had a distressingly low level of “food literacy” — knowing where food comes from and how to eat a balanced diet. The underfunded education system and limited green spaces amplified the problem: there were no pathways to learn. My situation wasn’t unique — in the U.S. alone, 13.5 million people live in food deserts, and 30 million suffer from food insecurity.

So, I started The Honeybee Conservancy in 2009 for two key reasons:
First, I wanted to help save the bees, who pollinate 1 in 3 bites of food we eat and are vital to healthy ecology. There are 20,000 species of bees around the world who do this essential work. In North America, currently 1 in 4 of the 4,000 native bee species are at risk of extinction. On a larger scale, the world’s survival depends on theirs.


Second, I wanted to find ways to empower underserved communities like the one I grew up in to produce healthy food and build green spaces. Our flagship program Sponsor-a-Hive gives honeybee hives and native bee homes to organizations ranging from gardens to schools. By alleviating financial and educational barriers [[keeping honeybee hives is a costly investment that requires training), we create access to resources that in turn produce food, improve the environment, and bring people together.


What we love about today’s Google Doodle is how it captures the impact a single bee has on the plants and habitats it visits. Imagine then, the pollinating power that trillions [[yes, trillions!) of bees have on ecosystems around the world!

[9A]

Apr 23, 2020
National Sovereignty and Children's Day 2020 [[Turkey)

[9A]

Oct 19, 2017
S. Chandrasekhar’s 107th Birthday




“Twinkle, twinkle little star, how I wonder what you are.” Thanks to Subrahmanyan Chandrasekhar, we know! Today marks the 107th birthday of the first astrophysicist to win a Nobel Prize for his theory on the evolution of stars.

A child prodigy, Chandra published his first paper and developed his theory of star evolution before turning 20. By age 34, he was elected to the Royal Society of London, and soon after, became a distinguished service professor of physics.

The Indian-American physicist’s honors are astronomical, including the National Medal of Science, the Draper Medal of the US National Academy of Science, and the gold medal of the Royal Astronomical Society. Though originally met with skepticism in the 1930s, Chandra’s theories and equations won the Nobel Prize in Physics 50 years later.

Today’s Doodle illustrates one of the most important of all of S. Chandrasekhar's contributions to our understanding of stars and their evolution: The Chandrasekhar limit. The limit explains that when a star’s mass is lighter than 1.4 times that of the sun, it eventually collapses into a denser stage called a “white dwarf.” When heavier than 1.4, a white dwarf can continue to collapse and condense, evolving into a black hole or a supernova explosion.

[9A]

Nov 17, 2017
Rachel de Queiroz’s 107th Birthday





Rachel de Queiroz was a prominent Brazilian writer and the first woman to join the country's Academy of Letters.

Her first book, O Quinze [[Fifteen), was published in 1930 when she was only 20 years old, and brought her instant fame. Her portrayal of the daily struggle of the people of Northeastern Brazil against drought and scarce resources cemented her reputation as a powerful storyteller. Over the next 70 years, Queiroz would go on to write over 2000 chronicles, expanding from literature into journalism, playwriting, and translation.

Today’s Doodle celebrates Queiroz on what would have been her 107th birthday for her contribution to Brazilian literature and for paving the way for women authors after her.

[9A]

Apr 23, 2020
St. George's Day 2020





Today’s Doodle, illustrated by British guest artist Robin Davey, commemorates St. George’s Day. On the annual celebration of the patron saint, England celebrates St. George and his representation of values like bravery, integrity, and leadership.

According to legend, St. George single-handedly slew a dragon to rescue a city under siege. For centuries, he captured the English imagination; in fact, King Henry V’s veneration for St. George was even immortalized in William Shakespeare’s eponymous play about the monarch.

St. George was declared England’s patron saint in 1348, and in 1415 St. George’s Day was inaugurated as a national feast day in his honor. Today, the special day lives on as a testament to England’s culture and unique traditions through activities like morris dancing [[a rural folk custom) and medieval jousting.

[9A]

April 28, 2018
Children's Day 2018 [Colombia]

[9A]

Apr 27, 2016
Freedom Day 2016






This important day marks the time that South Africa broke long-standing boundaries created by apartheid with its first ever democratic election. On this historic occasion, citizens of all races and backgrounds could finally vote. Freedom Day has become a symbol of peace, unity, and the hard-earned freedom now enjoyed throughout the country.

[9A]

Apr 28, 2016
Girls' and Boys' Day 2016




We all bring different skills to the table, some of us are great at crunching numbers, some of us have exceptional interpersonal skills. But when it comes to choosing careers, the path is not always as clear. To tackle that, Germany instituted Girls’ and Boys’ Day, which seeks to show kids the full array of career opportunities out there. On this day, girls and boys take a brief residence as working professionals — in doctors’ offices, in science labs, schools, and more. We join Germany in celebrating all these career choices, and the children who will one day seize them with the full force of their potential.

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Apr 29, 2016
48th Anniversary of first TV broadcasting of Les Shadoks





Nearly half a century later, France still fondly recalls Les Shadoks. With absurd maxims like “every advantage has its disadvantage, and vice versa," the bird-like creatures and their hilariously inane brand of logic struck a chord with French culture when they hit the screen in 1968.

Jacques Rouxel’s experimental and minimalist cartoon even proved divisive, as some saw nonsense where others found originality, comic genius, and important commentary on futility and French life. Hélène Leroux, who animated today’s Shadoks, used the occasion to bring her favorite Shadok’s proverbs to life. She writes:

“I particularly enjoyed the simplicity of the characters: Simple, rounded birds with long, thin legs, always going on nonsense adventures. In their daily lives, the Shadoks always refer to specific mottos they made up that parody real-life human principles: ‘If there are no solutions, then there are no problems,’ or, ‘to reduce the number of unhappy people, always beat up the same individuals,’ and of course, ‘I pump therefore I am.’ Like operators on a handcar that goes nowhere, Les Shadoks are famous for their endless and useless pumping. I thought it would be a great homage to represent some of these great Shadoks quotes with simple, looping animations.”

Below are all four of Hélène's animations:

I pump, therefore I am.

If we keep trying, we end up succeeding.
.
Therefore: the more we fail, the more we get to succeed.
When you don't know where you are going, you have to get there... as fast as possible.
Why should it be simple when it can be complicated?!

[9A]

May 2, 2016
Mario Miranda’s 90th birthday






Mario Miranda was a beloved cartoonist best known for his works in the Times of India and The Illustrated Weekly of India. Based primarily on the bustling cityscape of Mumbai, Miranda’s works often feature complex, multi-layered scenes. Humanity floods the canvas and yet each character maintains their individuality.

Our guest Doodler today is Aaron Renier, another artist known for portraying large crowds. “I approached Mario’s work by pretending I was drawing with him,” says Renier. “I chose his most popular style, very flat with criss-crossing interactions.” In this homage to Miranda, we see a rich litany of people, each unique in their perspective. “That is what I liked most about his work,” Renier explains, “trying to pick out who knows who, who's watching who, who's annoyed by who, who's enamored by who. Hopefully people will see something of [Miranda’s] spirit in it.”

[9A]

Dec 6, 2018
Tareque Masud’s 62nd Birthday





The first Bangladeshi director to participate in the Oscars or to be honored at Cannes, Tareque Masud was a driving force within his country’s independent film movement. He and his wife Catherine, would visit remote villages all over Bangladesh showing films with a mobile projector, earning the nickname “Cinema Feriwalla” [[Vendor of Movies).

Born in the village of Nurpur on this day in 1956, Masud was educated in a Bangladeshi madrassa, or Muslim school. Following Bangladesh’s independence in 1971, he became part of the film society movement and earned a master’s degree in history from the University of Dhaka. His first films were documentaries that told the story of his homeland, starting with 1989’s Adam Surat [[Inner Strength) about the Bangladeshi painter Sheikh Mohammed Sultan. His classic 1995 feature-length documentary Muktir Gaan [[Song of Freedom) about the independence movement in Bangladesh attracted huge audiences.

Masud’s upbringing in East Pakistan inspired his first feature, The Clay Bird. The Masuds invested all their savings into completing the film, which went on to win an International Critics’ award at the 2002 Cannes Film Festival.

A founding member of the Short Film Forum, an important platform for independent film, Masud also organized Bangladesh's first International Short and Documentary Film Festival, which continues to this day. To further honor his legacy, the Tareq Masud Memorial Trust launched the Tareque Masud Short Film Competition, encouraging a new generation of Bengali filmmakers to follow in his footsteps.

[9A]

Feb 23, 2020
Ca Trù's Founder Commemoration Day 2020





Today’s Doodle, illustrated by Ho Chi Minh City-based guest artist Xuan Le, celebrates Ca Trù’s Founders Commemoration Day, a time to honor the genre widely considered to be Vietnam’s most revered traditional form of music.

A style that fits somewhere in between the geisha ceremonies of Japan and the dramatic performances of opera, Ca trù’s unique sound has roots that stretch back to the 11th century. First gaining popularity as entertainment for the aristocracy of Vietnam’s royal palaces, it later made its way into the inns and communal spaces of what is now modern-day Hanoi.

The ensemble is composed of at least three performers, including one female singing intricate poetry while tapping a phach [[a small bamboo box), two musicians playing traditional instruments, and occasionally dancers. Ca trù is now found in cities across Vietnam.

Performed in designated Ca trù clubs and at annual festivals, the genre has seen a recent revival due to a concentrated effort from state-run organizations and international agencies. Preservation of Ca trù is elusive due in part to it being a strictly oral tradition that is passed down only through one elite practitioner to the next generation after years of committed study.

Taking into account the precious nature of an invaluable historical relic and the difficulty of its safeguarding, UNESCO is dedicated to protecting the practice and inscribed Ca trù on the List of Intangible Cultural Heritage in 2009.

[9A]

May 4, 2016
Jane Jacobs’ 100th birthday




Jane Jacobs was a self-taught journalist and community organizer that supported keeping the city of New York diverse in shape and function. She stood by beloved neighborhoods that were unjustly slated for "renewal" and revealed political biases in the permit process for new projects. In Jacob's opinion, cities are for the people, and they're safest when residents mingle on the street and in local businesses.

[9A]

May 12, 2016
Yom Ha'atzmaut 2016






Today is Yom Ha’atzmaut, Israel’s annual celebration of independence. Since the country’s founding in 1948, this day has served as a time for unity and celebration.

Across Israel today, people will be marking the holiday with a barbecue or al ha'esh, which means “on the fire.” It’s said that there are so many barbecues on Yom Ha’atzmaut that people have them in parks, beaches, even traffic circles -- as you see reflected in today’s Doodle.

To all those celebrating: may your barbecues be delicious, wherever they happen to take place.

[9A]

Mar 2, 2009
Dr. Seuss' 105th Birthday




Theodor Seuss Geisel was an American children's author, political cartoonist, illustrator, poet, animator, and filmmaker. He is known for his work writing and illustrating more than 60 books under the pen name Dr. Seuss. His work includes many of the most popular children's books of all time, selling over 600 million copies and being translated into more than 20 languages by the time of his death.

[9A]

Apr 24, 2009
Tomitaro Makino's Birthday




Tomitaro Makino was a pioneer Japanese botanist noted for his taxonomic work. He has been called "Father of Japanese Botany". He was one of the first Japanese botanists to work extensively on classifying Japanese plants using the system developed by Linnaeus. His research resulted in documenting 50,000 specimens, many of which are represented in his Makino's Illustrated Flora of Japan. Despite having dropped out of grammar school, he would eventually attain a Doctor of Science degree, and his birthday is remembered as Botany Day in Japan.

[9A]

May 24, 2016
Suzanne Lenglen’s 117th Birthday






Back in the day, tennis was a rigid affair. Amateurs couldn’t compete with pros, and participation fees for important matches were astronomical. Then Suzanne Lenglen came along.

Lenglen picked up her first racket in 1910 for health reasons. In less than five years, she became the sport’s youngest champion. She had a staggeringly successful career, and even starred in one of the earliest instructional films. More importantly, she broke down barriers through her passionate play, non-traditional wardrobe, and outspoken stance against the sport’s formalities.

With Lenglen’s influence, tennis gained the attention it deserved, and became a sport not just for some, but for all.

[9A]

April 11, 2017
Misuzu Kaneko’s 114th Birthday





Simple and expressive enough for children yet deep and accessible enough for adults, the works of Misuzu Kaneko were nearly lost to time until they were rediscovered four decades later. Misuzu is known throughout Japan as a poet who expressed childlike wonderment and humility simply and beautifully through her words.

Born Teru Kaneko in the fishing village of Senzaki, twenty-year-old Misuzu sent her first poems to several Tokyo children’s magazines in 1923. Her mother, who ran a bookstore in the small town of Shimonoseki, ensured her daughter was highly educated. Misuzu became a voracious reader, in turn inspiring her to try her own hand at writing. What resulted were internationally read poems beloved by several generations.

[9A]

Apr 22, 2017
Earth Day 2017



http://www.google.com/doodles/earth-day-2017 [[interactive)

Happy Earth Day 2017!

Today, we honor the rich, vast Earth that’s sustained generations before us and continues to nurture life and inspire wonder. At an estimated 4.543 billion years of age, the Earth is still the only known object in the Universe known to harbor life. It’s also the densest planet in the Solar System and the largest of the four terrestrial planets. That’s quite an awe-inspiring roster of qualities, if you ask us.

Today’s Doodle follows the story of a fox who dreams about an Earth that’s been polluted and adversely affected by climate change. The fox wakes with a startle, and urgently starts making small lifestyle changes to care for the Earth. Along the way, the fox enlists friends – including Momo the cat, and Google Weather’s favorite frog – to join its quest to protect and nurture the environment.

To combat things like coral bleaching and pollution, the three eco-rangers are inspired to take action such as eating less meat, carpooling, and unplugging unused electronic devices. That’s some heroic work for tiny animals!

[9A]

Apr 27, 2017
Celebrating Freedom Day and Enoch Sontonga





Today South Africans celebrate Freedom Day! The first post-apartheid elections were held on this date in 1994, and each year this important event is remembered with a public holiday.

Today's Doodle also honors choirmaster, poet, and composer Enoch Sontonga, who wrote the first version of Africa’s democratic national anthem, “Nkosi Sikelel’ iAfrika” [[“God Bless Africa”), in 1897. Over the years, the song developed and gained popularity, even making it to a London recording studio in 1923. It later merged with the country’s other anthem, “Die Stem” [[“The Call of South Africa”).

[9A]

Apr 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.

[9A]

Apr 28, 2017
Marie Harel’s 256th Birthday





https://www.google.com/doodles/marie...256th-birthday [[interactive)

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

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

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

Bon appetit!

[9A]

Oct 27, 2020
Dr. Stamen Grigorov’s 142nd Birthday






Today’s Doodle celebrates the 142nd birthday of Bulgarian physician and microbiologist Dr. Stamen Grigorov, the first scientist to discover the bacterium essential to the fermentation of yogurt. Grigorov also contributed to the development of the world’s first tuberculosis vaccine.

Stamen Grigorov was born on this day in 1878 in the village of Studen Izvor, located in the Trun region of western Bulgaria. Passionate about science from a young age, he went on to earn a doctorate from the Medical University of Geneva, Switzerland. Following his wedding in 1904, Grigorov returned to the university to work as a research assistant.

As a reminder of home, Grigorov’s wife gifted him with some Bulgarian culinary staples, including yogurt. Intrigued by yogurt’s reputed health benefits, Grigorov decided to inspect it under a microscope. Following thousands of experiments, in 1905 he finally found what he was looking for: the rod-shaped microorganism that causes yogurt’s fermentation. The bacterium was later renamed Lactobacillus bulgaricus in honor of Grigorov’s home country.

Later that year, Grigorov took a position as chief physician at a local hospital in his hometown of Trun. In 1906, he released a groundbreaking paper demonstrating the first use of penicillin fungi against tuberculosis. He continued this research and worked as a doctor throughout the rest of his life, saving thousands of lives along the way.

[9A]

Jun 26, 2017
Juana Manso’s 198th Birthday






Born on this date in 1819 in Buenos Aires, Juana Paula Manso was a feminist long before the word took on its modern-day meaning. Manso wore many hats, including journalist, novelist, translator, activist, and educator.

Raised in an era when much of society felt that a woman’s place was in the home, and a time when few but the wealthy sent their children to school, Manso defied the cultural conventions of the day. As a young woman, she set up a school in Montevideo [[Uruguay), sowing the seeds of her impactful career. Over the ensuing years she zigzagged between Argentina, Uruguay, and Brazil, with stints in the U.S. and Cuba.

Steadfast in her convictions, Manso wrote articles about women’s emancipation, as well as a compendium of Argentine history that was used in the country’s schools. She also wrote the historical novels La familia del Comendador and Misterios del Plata, which spoke out against slavery and racism. Manso was an early advocate of co-education and found a like-minded collaborator in fellow intellectual Domingo F. Sarmiento, who made her the head of an experimental school for boys and girls in Buenos Aires in 1858.

[9A]

Sep 15, 2012
Guatemala Independence Day 2012




When visiting Guatemala, it can almost seem like from any point you will have the most spectacular view of one of the country's many volcanoes. This is certainly true of the old capital, Antigua, a city rich in historical architecture and the aforementioned breathtaking vistas.

[9A]

Sep 21, 2012
Edgar Valter's 84th Birthday




Edgar Valter was an Estonian graphic artist, caricaturist, writer and illustrator of children's books, with over 250 books to his name, through 55 years of activity [[1950–2005). His most famous work is Pokuraamat [[The Poku Book).

[9A]

May 5, 2009
250th Anniversary of Kew Gardens


Kew Gardens or the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew is a UNESCO World Heritage Site in the London Borough of Richmond upon Thames in the United Kingdom.

Kew’s historic landscapes and buildings are a collection of gardens and parks and glasshouses.
Kew has the world's largest collection of plant specimens, and is one of the most important centres of research in botany.

[9A]

May 23, 2002
Dilbert Google Doodle 2002 - 4






Dilbert is an American comic strip written and illustrated by Scott Adams, first published on April 16, 1989. The strip is known for its satirical office humor about a white-collar, micromanaged office featuring engineer Dilbert as the title character.

[9A]

August 6, 2002
Andy Warhol's 74th Birthday


Andy Warhol was an American artist, film director, and producer who was a leading figure in the visual art movement known as pop art. His works explore the relationship between artistic expression, advertising, and celebrity culture that flourished by the 1960s, and span a variety of media, including painting, silkscreening, photography, film, and sculpture. Some of his best known works include the silkscreen paintings Campbell's Soup Cans [[1962) and Marilyn Diptych [[1962), the experimental films Empire [[1964) and Chelsea Girls [[1966), and the multimedia events known as the Exploding Plastic Inevitable [[1966–67).