Google doodles

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5 July 2017

Venezuela National Day 2017




On July 5, 1811, Venezuela became the first independent state in South America. Venezuelans celebrate this special day with parades, cultural shows, street gatherings, and of course fireworks!

Like its vibrant heritage of African, Spanish, and indigenous influences, Venezuela's terrain is vast. Islands and coastal plains surround the Andes to the north. Along the Orinoco River to the south lie savannas and tropical rainforests.

Today’s Doodle showcases the Morrocoy National Park in northwest Venezuela. The crystal-clear waters of the Caribbean Sea line the 79,296-acre park, and the sea and the park together nourish hundreds of bird species and ocean wildlife, including flamingos, pelicans, turtles, and dolphins.

Happy Independence Day, Venezuela!

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9 Jul 2017

660th Anniversary of Charles Bridge


On this day in 1357, construction began on the Charles Bridge, Prague’s oldest stone bridge, and one of the Czech capital’s most popular tourist destinations. Round the clock, visitors, vendors and locals alike cross the 1,700-ft. expanse from the east bank to the west, taking in views of the Vltava River.

King Charles IV commissioned architect Peter Parler to build the bridge, which was completed in 1402. Originally called the Stone Bridge, it took on the monarch’s moniker centuries later, around 1870. The low-lying medieval structure is comprised of 16 shallow arches and three Gothic towers, and lined with 30 Baroque-style statues, initially made of sandstone. According to legend, during construction, masons added a secret ingredient to the mortar that they thought would make it stronger: eggs!

Today’s Doodle pays tribute to Prague’s iconic masterpiece with an animation that shows the majesty of Charles Bridge by day and by night.

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9 July 2014

World Cup 2014 #59

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9 July 2014

World Cup 2014 #57

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9 July 2018

Carlota Jaramillo’s 114th Birthday




Today’s Doodle celebrates the 114th birthday of Ecuadorian singer and guitarist María Isabel Carlota Jaramillo, whose powerful renditions of traditional tango and pasillo standards keep the spirit of Ecuador’s people alive.

Born in 1904 in Calacalí, a rural parish north of Quito, Jaramillo was taught to play guitar by her uncle. Although her mother encouraged her to focus on her studies, Carolta entered an amateur singing contest with her sister Inés. There, the girls' talent attracted the attention of Rafael Ramos Albuja, who invited them to join his musical theater company.

Jaramillo embarked on a solo career in 1935, specializing in songs full of beauty and heartbreak. She broadcasted hypnotic performances on Radio Quito three times a week, and released numerous popular recordings starting with “Honda Pena” in 1938. While her musical accomplishments may not have translated into an opulent lifestyle, she continues to be heralded in Ecuador as “La Reina de la Canción Nacional,” or Queen of the nation’s music to this day.

Happy 114th birthday, Carlota Jaramillo!

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28 February 2020

Marcel Pagnol's 125th birthday



Today’s Doodle celebrates the 125th birthday of French filmmaker, playwright, and novelist Marcel Pagnol, often revered as one of the greatest figures in the history of French cinema. With his evocative, realist style, Pagnol painted a heartfelt and comical portrait of everyday French life, influencing generations of filmmakers in the process.

Marcel Paul Pagnol was born on this day in 1895 in the town of Aubagne, just outside of Marseilles in Southern France. He followed in the footsteps of his father, a local school superintendent, and pursued a career in education. In between lessons, Pagnol worked on his own plays, novels, and poetry, and when his comedic drama “Topaze” [1928] became a major hit on the Paris stage, he retired from teaching for good.

Establishing himself as an eminent playwright during cinema’s transformation from silent films to the sound era, Pagnol recognized a new world of opportunity in adapting his stories to the silver screen. By 1931, he had produced his first film, “Marius,” the leading installment of his famous “Marseilles” trilogy, which centered around life in the port town of his birth.

Credited as a pioneer of the neo-realist movement, Pagnol went on to direct and produce a collection of award-winning films, helping to shape French cinema’s golden decade of the 1930s and ‘40s.

In recognition of his contributions, in 1946, Pagnol became the first filmmaker ever elected as a member of the distinguished Acádemie française [“French Academy”], France’s official authority on the French language.

Early concepts and drafts of the Doodle

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28 February 2014

André Franquin's 57th Anniversary of Gaston Lagaffe



Gaston is a Belgian gag-a-day comic strip created in 1957 by the Belgian cartoonist André Franquin in the Franco-Belgian comics magazine Spirou. The series focuses on the everyday life of Gaston Lagaffe [whose surname means "the blunder"], a lazy and accident-prone office junior who works at Spirou's office in Brussels. Gaston is very popular in large parts of Europe [especially in Belgium and France] and has been translated into over a dozen languages, but except for a few pages by Fantagraphics in the early 1990s [as Gomer Goof], there was no English translation until Cinebook began publishing English language editions of Gaston books [again named 'Gomer Goof' in July, 2017.

Since the 1980s Gaston has appeared on a wide variety of merchandise.

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28 February 2021

Kuzgun Acar's 93rd birthday



One man’s trash is another man’s treasure! Today’s Doodle celebrates the 93rd birthday of an artist whose work reflects this expression: Turkish sculptor Kuzgun Acar. For his experimentation in welding materials like wire, nails, and scrap metal together to form abstract works, Acar is widely considered a pioneer of modern sculpture in Turkey.

Born in Istanbul on this day in 1928, Kuzgun Acar opened a shoelace factory with his father after high school, but it wasn’t until he enrolled in the sculptor department of the Istanbul Academy of Fine Arts that he found his true calling. There, he attended ship-dismantling workshops, where experts taught him how to weld scavenged materials into works of art. Influenced by contemporary Turkish masters Zühtü Müridoğlu and Hadi Bara, Acar developed the talent that became his life’s passion: abstract sculpture.

In 1961, a sculpture made of rusty nails won Acar first prize at a Paris exhibition, along with a scholarship that sponsored a year of study in France. While there, he continued to perfect his artistic craft, and he even organized a solo exhibition at Musée d'Art Moderne de la Ville de Paris [Paris Museum of Modern Art] in 1962. Upon Acar’s return to Istanbul, he produced some of his most significant works including “Turkey”—a massive bronze relief displayed on an Ankara skyscraper—and his timeless metal sculpture, “Birds - Abstract Composition.” As one of his final works, Acar transformed twisted steel and rubber into 140 metal masks for “The Caucasian Chalk Office,” a German theatre play staged in Paris.





Happy birthday, Kuzgun Acar!

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28 February 2017

Abdul Sattar Edhi’s 89th Birthday




Today's Doodle honors Abdul Sattar Edhi, a global-reaching philanthropist and humanitarian who made it his life’s mission to help those in need.

Edhi was born in India but moved to Karachi shortly after Pakistan was formed. He soon noticed that many Pakistanis lacked shelter, medicine, education, and other essentials, and was moved to help in any way he could. He began by simply asking others around him to contribute time or money, especially when a flu epidemic hit Karachi. In a 2009 interview with NPR, he said, "I got medical students to volunteer. I was penniless and begged for donations on the street. And people gave."

In 1951, he established the Edhi foundation, which is funded solely by private donations. The foundation, which operates 24 hours a day, provides a variety of social services from homeless shelters to medical care — all free of charge — and has helped thousands of people around the world in times of need. Most notably, the foundation operates the world’s largest volunteer ambulance network in Pakistan. "In my entire life I have driven no other car except my ambulance," Edhi said.

Edhi was directly involved with the foundation throughout the rest of his life. He always focused more on those around him than on his own comfort or needs. In fact, he and his family slept in a room near the foundation's headquarters and had only a few belongings. But his charitable empire and "family" were vast — at the time of his death, he and his wife Bilquis were registered as parents or guardians of tens of thousands of Pakistani children. “My mission is to love human beings," he said in an interview. "Each day is the best day of my life."

Here’s to Edhi, whose unwavering commitment to others will always be remembered.

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23 Dec 2019

Happy Holidays 2019 [Day 1]



No matter how you choose to celebrate, ‘tis the season to enjoy the holiday festivities during the most wonderful time of the year!

Happy holidays!

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23 December 2016

Holidays 2016 [Day 1]




‘Tis the season for song! Wintertime brings with it a number of traditions, but few as old or joyful as caroling. Dating back thousands of years, the original carols were songs specific to certain regions, and shared by wandering minstrels on their travels between towns. It wasn’t until the early 1800’s that the practice of caroling as we know it, spread across England and western Europe. During this time, cities began hosting outdoor orchestras that played songs for people to sing along with as they walked by.

Today’s Doodle features a merry crew of carolers, with a certain triangle player waiting for his moment…..


Doodle by Gerben Steenks

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23 December 2018

Holidays 2018 [Northern Hemisphere Day 1]


With his bags packed and reindeers well fed, Santa departs for his adventure around the world. Keep an eye out for a blinking red nose or visit our Santa Tracker to follow along the way.


Happy Holidays!

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23 December 2016
Holidays 2016 [Day 1] Warm Climates




Warm up your singing voice and get ready to bring some summer cheer! Today's Doodle celebrates the season with our festive chorus of melody-makers. What better spot to set up than under a shady palm tree with your loved ones? From this family of letters to you, happy holidays!

Doodle by Gerben Steenks

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23 December 2014

Holidays 2014 [Day 1]

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23 December 2015

Holidays 2015 [Day 1]



Happy holidays from all of us at Google, to you!

On this day, Doodle artist Robinson Wood has created several festive characters and items that were inspired by papercraft models and cut outs.

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6 January 2012

Happy Holidays 2011





My parents live near a married couple in Iowa, both in their eighties. Each December, they take the time to decorate the trees lining the highway. Some years, they've decorated as many as 150 trees. And it does a tremendous amount to brighten up an otherwise cold, dark, and snowy prairie landscape.

Winters everywhere can be cold and dark with short days and long nights. It's no coincidence, then, that many cultures incorporate lights and decoration into their winter holidays that fall around the winter solstice. And that theme inspired our holiday doodle this year.

Happy holidays, and we will see you in the new year.


Posted by Nathan Naze, Software Engineer

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20 Dec 2010

Mehmet Akif Ersoy's Birthday





Mehmet Akif Ersoy [20 December 1873 – 27 December 1936] was a Turkish poet, writer, academic, politician, and the author of the Turkish National Anthem.

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20 December 2004

Happy Holidays from Google 2004 - 1

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21 Dec 2004

Happy Holidays from Google 2004 - 2

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14 Dec 2008

Shinkansen 2008




The Shinkansen, colloquially known in English as the bullet train, is a network of high-speed railway lines in Japan. Initially, it was built to connect distant Japanese regions with Tokyo, the capital, to aid economic growth and development. Beyond long-distance travel, some sections around the largest metropolitan areas are used as a commuter rail network. It is operated by five Japan Railways Group companies.

Over the Shinkansen's 50-plus-year history, carrying over 10 billion passengers, there has been not a single passenger fatality or injury on board due to derailments or collisions.

Starting with the Tōkaidō Shinkansen [515.4 km, 320.3 mi] in 1964, the network has expanded to currently consist of 2,764.6 km [1,717.8 mi] of lines with maximum speeds of 240–320 km/h [150–200 mph], 283.5 km [176.2 mi] of Mini-Shinkansen lines with a maximum speed of 130 km/h [80 mph], and 10.3 km [6.4 mi] of spur lines with Shinkansen services. The network presently links most major cities on the islands of Honshu and Kyushu, and Hakodate on northern island of Hokkaido, with an extension to Sapporo under construction and scheduled to commence in March 2031. The maximum operating speed is 320 km/h [200 mph] [on a 387.5 km section of the Tōhoku Shinkansen]. Test runs have reached 443 km/h [275 mph] for conventional rail in 1996, and up to a world record 603 km/h [375 mph] for SCMaglev trains in April 2015.

The original Tōkaidō Shinkansen, connecting Tokyo, Nagoya and Osaka, three of Japan's largest cities, is one of the world's busiest high-speed rail lines. In the one-year period preceding March 2017, it carried 159 million passengers, and since its opening more than five decades ago, it has transported more than 5.6 billion total passengers. At peak times, the line carries up to 16 trains per hour in each direction with 16 cars each [1,323-seat capacity and occasionally additional standing passengers] with a minimum headway of three minutes between trains.

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22 Dec 2009

Happy Holidays from Google 2009 - 2

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22 December 2003

Happy Holidays from Google 2003 - 1

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22 December 2000

Happy Holidays from Google 2000

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22 December 2004

Happy Holidays from Google 2004 - 3

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24 Dec 2002

Happy Holidays from Google 2002 - 2

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24 December 2004

Happy Holidays from Google 2004 - 5

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24 December 2015

Holidays 2015 [Day 2]




Happy holidays from all of us at Google, to you!

On this day, Doodle artist Robinson Wood has created several festive homes that were inspired by papercraft models and cut outs.

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24 December 2019

Happy Holidays 2019 [Day 2]


No matter how you choose to celebrate, ‘tis the season to enjoy the holiday festivities during the most wonderful time of the year!

Happy holidays!

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24 December 2016

Holidays 2016 [Day 2]





Happy holidays! This is the perfect time of year to cozy up to the window with your favorite blanket or mug, and watch the snow fall. While you’re there, sketch a foggy doodle or two[or five] of your own.


Doodle by Gerben Steenks

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24 December 2014

Holidays 2014 [Day 2]



From doodler Matt Cruickshank:


Holidays almost always involve travel and transport, and I wanted to celebrate the variety of ways we do this. Choosing a suitcase/backpack motif, I set about creating multiple people that transform and adapt to their surroundings. It's a "door to door journey" seen through many eyes. Whatever our destination this holiday- a snowy mountain, a perfect wave or a crackling fire, we hope you enjoy the ride!


The music is "Seabird" by Matt Saxton.

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24 December 2016

Holidays 2016 [Day 2] Warm Climates



It's the season for fun in the sun! Head to the beach and make sand angels, with starfish and shells providing a festive backdrop. Whether you're relaxing by the seaside or gathering at home with family and friends, we wish you very happy holidays.


Doodle by Gerben Steenks

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24 December 2018

Holidays 2018 [Northern Hemisphere Day 2]





Reported sightings of an unidentified flying object near the North Pole can now be confirmed. Radar scopes are picking up a large jolly blip accompanied by eight tiny blips, and a bright red light has been spotted throughout the polar vortex. Children are advised to be nice, not naughty and remain in bed until further notice. Be advised that this UFO may contain candy canes and good tidings for all!


Happy Holidays!

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24 December 2018

Holidays 2018 [Southern Hemisphere Day 2]



Reported sightings of an unidentified flying object near the North Pole can now be confirmed. Radar scopes are picking up a large jolly blip accompanied by eight tiny blips, and a bright red light has been spotted throughout the polar vortex. Children are advised to be nice, not naughty and remain in bed until further notice. Be advised that this UFO may contain candy canes and good tidings for all!


Happy Holidays!

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25 December 2007

Happy Holidays from Google 2007 - 5

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25 December 1999

Happy Holidays from Google 1999

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25 December 2018

Holidays 2018 [Northern Hemisphere Day 3]




It’s that festive time of year again! Sending along holiday cheer to you & your loved ones during this merry time.

Happy Holidays!

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25 December 2018

Holidays 2018 [Day 3]

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25 December 2009

Happy Holidays from Google 2009 - 5

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25 December 2013

Holiday Series 2013 #2

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25 December 2016

Holidays 2016 [Day 3] Warm Climates





‘Tis the season! During this festive time of year, there’s nothing quite like lounging around with family and friends. Here’s to a day filled with love, joy, and plenty of cheer to go around.


Doodle by Gerben Steenks

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25 December 2017

Holidays 2017 [Day 2]





Our favorite penguins couldn’t be more excited to reunite with their loved ones. Happy to be together for the season of cheer, this colorfully feathered family can’t wait to sink their beaks into a delicious feast.

Check back next week to see how this avian crew rings in the new year!

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25 December 2012

Holiday Series 2012 #2

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25 December 2019

Happy Holidays 2019 [Day 3]




No matter how you choose to celebrate, ‘tis the season to enjoy the holiday festivities during the most wonderful time of the year!

Happy holidays!

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24 December 2012

Holiday Series 2012 #1

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24 December 2013

Holiday Series 2013 #1

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26 December 2003

Happy Holidays from Google 2003 - 5

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26 December 2013

Holiday Series 2013 #3

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26 December 2018

Baba Amte’s 104th Birthday



Murlidhar Devidas Amte, popularly known as Baba Amte, was an Indian social worker and social activist known particularly for his work for the rehabilitation and empowerment of people suffering from leprosy. He has received numerous awards and prizes including the Padma Vibhushan, the Dr. Ambedkar International Award, the Gandhi Peace Prize, the Ramon Magsaysay Award, the Templeton Prize and the Jamnalal Bajaj Award. He is also known as the modern Gandhi of India.

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26 December 2015

25th Anniversary of Slovenian Independence and Unity Day 2015


"Should Slovenia become an independent and sovereign state?" Twenty-five years ago, 95% of Slovenian voters voted "yes" to this independence referendum. About six months later, Slovenia became its own republic, independent of the former Yugoslavia. In today's design, Doodler Alyssa Winans highlights the majestic Mount Triglav, distinguished by its three peaks, at the center of the Slovenian tricolor. Long an icon for the Slovene people, Triglav has a wealth of wildlife unique to its part of the Alps, including the Triglav Hawksbeard, the Julian poppy, and the Marble trout.

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23 September 2017

Asima Chatterjee's 100th Birthday





When Dr. Asima Chatterjee was growing up in Calcutta in the 1920s and 1930s, it was almost unheard of for a woman to study chemistry. But that didn't stop Chatterjee: she not only completed her undergraduate degree in organic chemistry, but she also went on to receive a Doctorate of Science — the first woman to do so in India!

Dr. Chatterjee primarily studied the medicinal properties of plants native to India. Throughout her career, her research contributed to the development of drugs that treated epilepsy and malaria. Dr. Chatterjee's most noted contribution to the field, however, was her work on vinca alkaloids. Alkaloids are compounds made from plants, often to treat medical ailments. Vinca alkaloids, which come from the Madagascar periwinkle plant, are used today in chemotherapy treatment because they help slow down or stall the multiplying of cancer cells.

Dr. Chatterjee's groundbreaking contributions to medicine were recognized by universities all over the world. She received numerous accolades from the Indian government, including some of the highest awards [like the Padma Bhushan] and an appointment to the upper house of Parliament!

A firm believer in collaboration and teaching, Dr. Chatterjee also founded and led the department of chemistry at Lady Brabourne College. She started a research institute and mentored many of India's rising chemistry scholars.

Today's Doodle pays homage to this trailblazer and her great accomplishments in the name of science.

Discover more about Dr. Asima Chatterjee's life and work by visiting Google Arts & Culture.