Google doodles

[9A]

March 31, 2014
Octavio Paz's 100th Birthday [born 1914]




Octavio Paz Lozano was a Mexican poet and diplomat. For his body of work, he was awarded the 1981 Miguel de Cervantes Prize, the 1982 Neustadt International Prize for Literature, and the 1990 Nobel Prize in Literature.

[9A]

Nov 11, 2018
Poland Independence Day 2018






Today’s Doodle, created by Warsaw-based illustrator Jan Bajtlik, celebrates Poland as the country commemorates the 100th anniversary of regaining its independence. From the bustling capital city of Warsaw to other towns and villages, celebrations will include marches, parades and concerts among other events, with Polish white-and-red flags proudly displayed on all buildings. The presidential palace will be illuminated in the national colors, and at noon on the big day Poles across the country to join in singing the national anthem. The National Bank of Poland has even issued special five-zloty coins in an edition of 38,424,000 — one for every Polish citizen.

National Day is a break from work for Poles, who take the opportunity to celebrate their country’s culture, proudly displaying the red and white national colors, and enjoying time with friends and family.

[9A]

September 21, 2020
Respect for the Aged Day 2020

[9A]

Sep 27, 2018



http://www.google.com/doodles/googles-20th-birthday-us [interactive]

[9A]

Sep 20, 2018
Josefa Llanes Escoda’s 120th Birthday



Josefa Madamba Llanes-Escoda was a prominent civic leader and a social worker. She is well known as a Filipino advocate of women's suffrage and was founder of the Girl Scouts of the Philippines.

[9A]

Sep 17, 2018
Respect for the Aged Day 2018

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Sep 15, 2018
Sir Mokshagundam Visvesvaraya’s 158th Birthday






Living by the phrase “Work is Worship,” Mokshagundam Visvesvaraya—fondly known as Sir MV—devoted his life to engineering. A master of irrigation design, the world-renowned civil engineer became so respected in his field that India celebrates Engineers Day each year on his birthday.

While some sources cite his birth year as 1861, after speaking to his family, we’ve learned that Sir MV was actually born a year earlier. He was raised in the rural village of Muddenahalli, located in a region of southwestern India now known as the state of Karnataka. His father, a scholar of the ancient Sanskrit language, lived a simple life, passing away when Sir MV was very young.

According to stories passed down over generations, Sir MV had to walk over 60 kilometers to Bengaluru to attend United Mission School, eating the food served at temples around the city and studying under street lamps. After earning a License in Civil Engineering from the University of Bombay, Visvesvaraya began working with the city’s Public Works Division and joined the Indian Irrigation Commission. His expertise earned him the opportunity to study the water supply and drainage of Aden, a port city in Yemen.

One of Sir MV’s most notable projects—which we are excited to feature in today’s Doodle—came some time after his return to India. In 1924, he oversaw the construction of his design for the Krishna Raja Sagara Lake and dam, creating the largest reservoir in India at the time, which provided drinking water for several cities. His flood protection system for the city of Hyderabad and his irrigation plans for Visakhapatnam made him something of a ce lebrity. Still he maintained a life of strict discipline and modesty, rising at 5am each day and working through the evenings.

[9A]

Sep 11, 2018
Joanna Baillie’s 256th Birthday



The prolific yet soft-spoken Scottish writer, born on this day in 1762, was compared to Shakespeare during her lifetime and is often hailed as one of the greatest female poets of all times. Her first poem, “Winter Day,” evoked the natural beauty of her native Scotland. Her cottage outside London was a hub of the literary scene, where she maintained friendly relationships with many of the important British writers of her time, including William Wordsworth, and Lady and Lord Byron.

In the "Introductory Discourse" to her 1798 Plays on the Passions, Baillie set the tone for what would come to be known as English Romanticism. She spent fourteen years working on her ambitious three-part project, a series of comedies and tragedies about love, hatred and jealousy with the stated goal of “unveiling the human mind under the dominion of those strong and fixed passions.” Today’s Doodle depicts some of her best-loved ‘Plays on the Passions’: Ethwald, De Monfort, The Tryal, Basil, and Orra.

First published anonymously, Baillie’s plays were the talk of London as readers tried to guess the author’s identity. Despite her obvious talents, she was reluctant to publish at all—"were it not that my Brother has expressed a strong wish that I should publish a small vol: of poetry,” she wrote in a letter, ”I should have very little pleasure in the thought”— but she was determined that her plays [[psychological dramas featuring strong female characters) be performed by actors on stage rather than simply read. “I have wished to leave behind me in the world a few plays,” she wrote in the preface to her 1804 collection ‘Miscellaneous Plays,’ “some of which might have a chance of continuing to be acted even in our canvas theatres and barns.”

[9A]

Sep 3, 2018
First Day of School 2018 [Multiple Countries]

[9A]

Aug 27, 2018
198th Anniversary of the First Ascent of the Zugspitze




The Zugspitze is Germany’s tallest mountain, standing at a height of 2,962 meters, and situated along the border between Germany and Austria.

The first people to ascend the Zugspitze were Lieutenant Josef Naus, a 27-year-old engineer from the Royal Bavarian Army, his mountain guide Johann Georg Tauschl, and a military orderly named Maier. Lieutenant Naus was employed by the Royal Bavarian Topographic Bureau, putting together an Atlas of Bavaria. Seeking to prove that this pinnacle was the loftiest in the Kingdom of Bavaria, they trekked across glaciers covered with melting ice— conditions ripe for avalanches.

Setting out in July they made their way across the largest glacier, proceeding to a shepherd’s hut from which they would attempt to climb the summit. After a short night’s rest, Naus’ party undertook their ascent on August 27, 1820, reaching the top seven hours and forty-five minutes later. Storms soon enfolded the mountain, hastening the men’s descent.

Today, visitors can take a cable car up the steep incline to the top, where they are rewarded with awe-inspiring views of the many jagged limestone peaks forming the border between Germany and Austria.

Some believe that local climbers—gatherers or hunters—may have beaten the Naus survey team to the summit before 1820. But Naus, Tauschl, and Maier were the first to prove their success in reaching the pinnacle. Today’s Doodle celebrates the Zugspitze immensity, beauty, and its importance to both Austria and Germany.

[9A]

Aug 17, 2018
Indonesia Independence Day 2018





Few countries have more fun on Independence Day than Indonesia, the southeast Asian island nation whose Proclamation of Independence was first read in Jakarta on this day in 1945.

All throughout the country, from cities to villages, Independence Day starts early with gotong-royong, a collective effort to clean up and beautify neighborhoods. Red and white banners and buntings decorate houses, shops, and schools in preparation for a range of lively games, such as the Lomba Balap Karung seen in today’s Doodle. This classic sack race is just one of Indonesia’s traditional Independence Day pastimes. You can’t use your hands in the Kerupuk eating contest, where the fried starch and shrimp crackers hang from strings. First to finish their cracker wins. Panjat Pinang involves climbing up greased palm trees to claim prizes suspended at the top.

[9A]

Aug 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.

[9A]

Aug 1, 2018
Switzerland National Day 2018





Get out the cowbells! Today is Swiss National Day. Throughout Switzerland’s 26 cantons, the Swiss flag is displayed on everything from window boxes to loaves of bread. Children light paper lanterns and ring bells in commemoration of the oath of Swiss Confederation that was sworn in 1291. Bonfires in the hills remind one and all how word was spread of that ancient pledge of mutual support. The day is also filled with solemn speeches, fireworks, concerts, and parades of flower-bedecked cows, as shown in today’s Doodle.

In Basel, the celebrations begin in earnest the night of July 31 with food stands, music, and revelry on both sides of the Rhine until the early hours of the morning. Spectacular fireworks also light up the sky near theRhine Falls.

For many Swiss, preparations for the holiday begin at least a week earlier, with citizens collecting wood for enormous bonfires. Friendly competitions urge neighbors to outbuild each others’ woodpiles. As it grows dark, the sounds of a traditional accordion or Schwiizerörgeli can be heard. And when the bonfire flames get just right, Swiss sausages known as Cervelats will go on the flames, growing plump and succulent till just right to eat.

[9A]

Jul 18, 2018
Gino Bartali’s 104th Birthday




For most cyclists, winning a major race like the Tour de France or the Giro d’Italia would represent the crowning achievement of an athletic career. For champion road cyclist Gino Bartali, winning both of these competitions—thrice and twice, respectively—was just part of his legacy as both an athlete and humanitarian.

Born in Florence on this day in 1914, Bartali was not only a talented athlete, but used his celebrity and skill as a cyclist to help people under threat of deportation, or worse. Having started competitive cycling at age 13, he won more than 180 races, making him a local hero throughout the 1930s and 1940s. During World War II, his status enabled him to ride through the Tuscan and Umbrian countryside undisturbed by wartime officials, making it possible for him to conceal documents in his bike’s handlebars for Jews who needed forged identity cards to save their lives. He continued this work even after being questioned and threatened by Mussolini’s government agents.

It wasn’t until 2003 that stories began to emerge about Bartali’s quiet heroism during the war, which included hiding a Jewish family in his basement. Risking his own freedom and safety to protect others, Bartali turned his sport into a race to save lives.

[9A]

Jul 14, 2018
Bastille Day 2018





Although La Fête Nationale — or Bastille Day as it’s known in English-speaking countries — hearkens back to the dawn of the French Revolution, it’s fundamentally a celebration of culture. At this time each year, French people around the globe, from Nice to New Orleans, honor their heritage and pay homage to those who fought for the principles of Liberté, Egalité, and Fraternité [liberty, equality, fraternity].

In Paris, crowds gather along the Avenue des Champs-Élysées to enjoy parades, heading to the Eiffel Tower for fireworks and live music later on. In Marseille, the Vieux Port plays host to two days of festivities. Wherever the celebration takes place, you’ll surely hear the French national anthem, “La Marseillaise,” resounding throughout the streets.

Seen on church bell towers since the Middle Ages, the French rooster, or Coq Gaulois,also appeared on French flags during the revolution of 1789. The bird that crows at dawn has come to symbolize vigilance as well as the people of France. In today’s Doodle a procession of blue, white, and red hens and roosters enjoy a Bastille Day parade.

[9A]

Jul 1, 2018
Canada Day 2018




Canada was formed on this day in 1867, uniting the British colonies of Nova Scotia, New Brunswick and Canada, whose name derives from the Huron-Iroquois word for village, “kanata.”

On the first Canada Day, 151 years ago, oxen were roasted in Toronto and meat was distributed to the poor. Brass bands played in many cities and towns. Today, Canadians get together with friends and family to watch fireworks and enjoy different regions’ famous foods.

A typical Canada Day menu includes poutine, the Quebecois dish of gravy and cheese curds over French fries, Montreal smoked meat, Alberta beef, or seafood—Atlantic lobster rolls; west coast oysters and shellfish. Wash it all down with Canada’s national cocktail, the Caesar, a Bloody Mary mixed with clam juice.

Canada’s red maple leaf flag was first flown in 1965, replacing the British Union Jack. The single maple leaf represents not only the ten species of maple trees native to Canada [[which provide 71% of the world’s maple syrup), but “all the citizens of Canada without distinction of race, language, belief or opinion,” as Honourable Maurice Bourget, Speaker of the Senate, remarked when the design was officially approved.

Today’s Doodle reflects this idea of Canada as a mosaic of cultures. Often referred to as “a nation of newcomers,” Canada boasts the highest percentage of immigrants among all G8 nations. The 1988 Canadian Multicultural Act invests in diversity by providing federal funds to help ethnic groups preserve their cultures. On the streets of Montreal or Toronto you can hear many more languages being spoken besides English and French.

[9A]

Jun 14, 2018
World Cup 2018 - Day 1





Today marks the official opening of the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia! Over the next month, players from the men's national teams of 32 countries will compete for top rank across 12 venues in 11 cities around the country.

While 20 of the 32 teams will be making repeat appearances at the tournament – including defending champs Germany – it's also a first for some, including Iceland and Panama. With a total of 64 matches [[and plenty of GOOOALS!), the games will culminate at Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow on July 15.

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

[9A]

Sep 1, 2017
First Day of School 2017





Today is the first day of school in many countries. And the school of fish in our Doodle is ready to dive into the brainy brine! A whale swims toward the classroom, textbooks in fin. A starfish crams in the remainder of its summer reading, and a turtle and friends embark on their first science project.

[9A]

Jul 28, 2017
Perú National Day 2017





June 28th is the first of two national holidays commemorating Perú's independence. The festivities begin in Lima with a presidential address, 21-cannon salute, and flag-raising ceremony. Regional celebrations include musical performances in plazas and parks, and street fairs offering delights like ceviche and pisco. And the red-and-white Perúvian flag flies above cities and countryside, saluting General José de San Martín's declaration of independence on this date in 1821.

[9A]

Jul 21, 2017
Belgium National Day 2017






On this day, Belgium commemorates the inauguration of King Leopold I, the first King of the Belgians. Leopold o f Saxe-Coburg and Gotha, a German prince, embraced his royal role on June 26th, 1831, and pledged his allegiance to the fledgling country just a few weeks later, on July 21.

Previously known as Southern Netherlands, Belgium had been governed by various foreign countries over the centuries, including Spain and France. It also withstood the Dutch Period [1815 – 1830] under King William I, a vigorous advocate of industrialization, before finally attaining its longed-for freedom from the United Kingdom of Netherlands.

Belgian National Day is a festive public holiday celebrated with military parades, air force aerial demonstrations, and free concerts, finished with fireworks. Some Belgians also show their national pride by dressing in red, yellow and black, the colors of the country’s flag.

[9A]

Jun 2, 2017
Gilbert Baker's 66th Birthday






[early draft concept]


Today’s doodle is a little more colorful thanks to Gilbert Baker, creator of the rainbow flag, a symbol of pride and freedom for the LGBTQA+ community.

Teaching himself to sew, Baker put his skills to work for the San Francisco gay community, making banners for marches and protests. In 1978 Baker used those skills to create a new symbol for the LGBT Community to replace the pink triangle, a symbol of oppression and devastation from the Nazi’s classification of LGBT people in World War II. Baker’s Rainbow was a more positive and celebratory symbol.

“We needed something beautiful, something from us,” Baker explained. “The rainbow is so perfect because it really fits our diversity in terms of race, gender, ages, all of those things. Plus, it’s a natural flag—it’s from the sky!”

Making the flag was no small task. Baker gathered thirty people in the attic of the Gay Community Center in San Francisco to hand-dye and sew together over 1000 yards of cotton. The modern day rainbow flag features six colors, but the original used eight, each representing a different aspect of the community. The iconic symbol stuck and soon Baker was flooded with requests for more flags.

Baker’s sister, Ardonna Cook, also reflects on his life and legacy by sharing, “Our family is so proud of the legacy of activism and artistry that Gilbert has left to the world. He touched millions across the globe and empowered them to become stronger and more visible LGBT people. Gilbert led a bold and inspiring life by bringing The Rainbow Flag to life and it is that legacy which should guide us in respecting and celebrating diversity.”

[9A]

May 30, 2017
Dragon Boat Festival 2017

[9A]

May 16, 2017
Teachers' Day 2017 [Malaysia, South Korea, Mexico]


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[9A]

June 28, 2019
185th Anniversary of the Publication of Pan Tadeusz Poem





On this day in 1834, the Polish Romantic poet Adam Mickiewicz published his masterpiece, Pan Tadeusz, often considered one of the last great epic poems in European literature. Written in Paris, the 12-part saga captures the spirit of Poland at a time when much of its territory was partitioned between Russia, Prussia, and Austria.

Set during the years 1811 and 1812 in a Lithuanian village, the narrative focuses on a feud between two prominent families, complicated by the love between Tadeusz and a daughter of the rival family named Zosia. A revolt against the local Russian garrison brings the families together, inspired by a shared passion to restore Poland to its former glory: “When talk was to raise Poland again from this rubble.”

Required reading in Polish schools, Pan Tadeusz has been translated into many languages and adapted into TV and film versions, most recently in 1999 by Polish director Andrzej Wajda. Mickiewicz writes with great feeling, expressing his love and longing for all aspects of Polish life from the landscape [“These fields, painted with various grain, gilded with wheat, silvered with rye”], to the food [“mere words cannot tell of its wondrous taste, colour and marvellous smell”], to even the wildlife [“No frogs croak as divinely as Polish ones do”].

[9A]

Jun 25, 2019
Teachers' Day 2019 [Guatemala]

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September 16, 2019
Respect For The Aged Day 2019

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Jun 7, 2019
2019 Women's World Cup - Day 1






The 2019 Women’s World Cup kicks off today in France! Today’s Doodle celebrates the eighth edition of the tournament with a collage of characters from our upcoming series of Doodles by guest artists representing each of the competing countries. Each Doodle will capture the local excitement of the World Cup competition as well as what soccer means to the guest artist personally.

Over the next month, players from the national teams of 24 countries will compete, with the final match in the biggest Women’s World Cup yet taking place on July 7th in Lyon, France. No one is more excited than ettie the French poussin, this year’s official mascot!

Seven teams will be making their eighth consecutive appearance in the Women’s World Cup, including the American team, who return as defending champions looking to win their fourth title this year. Four teams will be making their Women’s World Cup debut in 2019: Chile, Scotland, South Africa, and Jamaica—the first Caribbean team ever to qualify.

[9A]

Jun 6, 2019
Teachers' Day 2019 [Bolivia]

[9A]

April 23, 2017
National Sovereignty and Children's Day 2017




Turkey’s National Sovereignty and Children’s Day connects two important pieces of history; it’s when the Grand National Assembly of Turkey convened for the first time in 1920; and when the Turkish Republic’s founder, Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, dedicated the fledgling Republic to the children who would inherit it.

[9A]

May 19, 2019
Samuel Okwaraji’s 55th Birthday





Today’s Doodle celebrates Nigerian soccer player Samuel Okwaraji, who stands today as a symbol of national pride. Born in Orlu, Nigeria on this day in 1964, he moved to Europe in 1982 to further his education, though his greatest passion was soccer.

While earning a law degree at the University of Rome, Okwaraji played for the Italian club A.S. Roma. Fluent in several languages, he bounced from club to club, ending up at Germany’s SSV-Ulm 1846 team where he emerged as a standout player. Still, he wanted nothing more than to represent his homeland.

Okwaraji returned home to compete for a spot on the Nigerian “Green Eagles” team that played in the 1988 Seoul Olympics. With his energetic style of play and his love for his homeland, he soon became a fan favorite. Okwaraji was unhappy to learn that his German club was charging the Nigerian Football Association for lost revenues while he played for Nigeria. Reminding the team that he was a lawyer, Okwaraji passionately wrote “I am going to represent my country in the World Cup in Italy whether you like it or not.”

Unfortunately, his dream of playing in the World Cup for Nigeria did not come to fruition. On August 12, 1989, with just fifteen minutes left in a tough World Cup qualifying match against Angola, Okwarji’s life was tragically cut short when he fell down on the field at the National Stadium in Lagos and could not be revived.

Today, a statue of Okwaraji stands in front of that same National Stadium and reads: In memory of an illustrious and patriotic Nigerian sportsman.

[9A]

Nov 24, 2013
Teacher's Day 2013 [Turkey]

[9A]

Oct 6, 2018
2018 Summer Youth Olympic Games





Let the games begin! Today’s Doodle celebrates the 2018 Summer Youth Olympic Games, held this year in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Over 200 countries will take part this year, sending thousands of athletes age 15-18 to the summer games.

Described by the International Olympic Committee as “an elite sporting event for young people from all over the world,” the Youth Olympic Games [YOG] are much like the Olympic Games [OG] in many respect. They have a mascot—this year it’s Pandi the teen jaguar, who loves sports and is native to Argentina. The games occur every four years in a different city and country with summer and winter editions. Gold, silver, and bronze medals are awarded for first, second, and third place — this year designed by 18-year-old Farid Husen from Indonesia.

This year kiteboarding and BMX freestyle park will make their debuts, as well as a new version of handball that’s played on the beach. Football [aka soccer] is out, in favor of futsal — an indoor game played on a smaller hard court. This year will also feature mixed gender events as well as mixed National Olympic Committee events, bringing athletes from different countries together on the same team. Athletes are not the only young people who can get involved in YOG. There are also opportunities for Young Reporters, Ambassadors and Athlete Role Models. Besides showing off their athletic skills, participants take part in workshops and other activities designed to expose young people to different cultures and instill the Olympic Values: Friendship, Respect and Excellence as well as Determination, Inspiration, Courage and Equality.

[9A]

November 3, 2017
Loy Krathong 2017



On this night of the full moon, lotus baskets adorned with candles and incense float along rivers, lakes, and ponds across Thailand. For centuries, people have gathered on this day of the twelfth lunar month that marks an end to the rainy season. In some provinces, thousands of paper lanterns are released up into the sky. It is believed that floating away one’s bad luck [loy] on these flower baskets [krathong] brings blessings and good luck.

The sight of thousands of softly glowing flower baskets floating up and down the country against the backdrop of a moonlit horizon makes this a picturesque and magical Thai festival.

[9A]

Apr 29, 2017
Tama’s 18th Birthday





Today’s Doodle celebrates little Tama, the beloved stationmaster of Kishi Station in Kinokawa, Wakayama, Japan.

For many years, the train station was lightly traveled, causing officials to close it in 2004. But in 2007, the railway appointed Tama the calico cat to be the stationmaster. The new local celebrity drew crowds of travelers to see her in her office, where she sometimes wore an official cat-sized cap. Not only did Tama draw tourists to her new cat-themed cafe and gift shop [even the station itself got a cat-themed makeover!], but her celebrity also kept the train service open for local residents.

Though Tama passed away in 2015, a new kitty called Nitama [or “Tama the second”] keeps the trains running and poses for selfies with passengers.

[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 27, 2017
Theodor Kittelsen’s 160th Birthday




A nature lover with an affinity for fairy tales, painter Theodor Severin Kittelsen is one of Norway’s most prized artists. Kittelsen was born on April 27, 1857, in the coastal town of Kragerø. At the age of 11, he was apprenticed to a watchmaker, but his budding talent caught the eye of a benefactor. By 17, he was on the path to becoming an accomplished artist, studying in Christiania [now Oslo], Munich, and Paris before returning to his homeland.


Norway agreed with Kittelsen. The artist set up his studio near Prestfoss and dubbed it "Lauvlia." He drew inspiration from the beauty in his midst, including Mount Andersnatten overlooking Lake Soneren. He created scenic paintings in a style described as Neo-Romantic or naive. He also drew illustrations of trolls and animals — sometimes stark and haunting, sometimes whimsical — for children’s books, earning him the nickname “The Father of All Trolls.” In 1908, Kittelsen was named Knight of the Royal Norwegian Order of St. Olav.

Lauvlia is now a private museum that houses Kittelsen’s iconic work. Today we honor his 160th birthday with a Doodle that reflects the lake he loved, as well as some of his more gothic creations.

[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 18, 2017
Esther Afua Ocloo’s 98th Birthday





As both an entrepreneur and an advocate for microlending, “Auntie Ocloo” worked tirelessly to help others like her succeed. Esther Afua Ocloo had only six shillings to her name — less than a dollar — when she made and then sold her first jar of marmalade as a teenager in the 1930s.

Esther was determined to expand her livelihood of making marmalade and orange juice, but she needed a loan to increase production, and credit was hard to come by for women with little economic resources. It took persistence and a supply contract to secure the money to start her company, Nkulenu Industries.

After traveling to England to learn the latest techniques in food processing, Esther returned home and shared those skills with other Ghanaian women. Perhaps more importantly, she taught them everything she knew about starting and running a business, which put more money in their pockets.

She made such an impact that in 1975 she was invited to the first U.N. World Conference on Women.

Esther and other advisors knew that lending money to women could have a ripple effect, improving the prosperity and health of the women as well as their communities. But because they lacked collateral, low-income women were often ignored by banks. So in 1979, Esther helped found and became Chairman of the Board of Directors of Women’s World Banking, which provides millions of low-income women with the small loans needed to reach their financial goals.

[9A]

Apr 14, 2017
56th Anniversary of Xingu Indigenous Park






Officially dedicated in 1961, Xingu Indigenous Park celebrates its 56th anniversary today. The park is located in the Brazilian state of Mato Grosso and spans 6,528,530 acres of savannah and forest.

Xingu’s primary goal was to protect the social diversity of Brazil’s indigenous people, and was created after a long campaign by activist brothers, Orlando and Leonardo Villas-Bôas. Some of the tribes that call Xingu home are the Kamayurá, Kaiabi, Yudjá, Aweti, Mehinako, Wauja, Yawalapiti, Ikpeng, Kalapalo, Kuikuro, Matipu, Nahukwá, Suyá, and Trumai. In all, several thousand indigenous people live within the park’s boundaries.

Today’s Doodle puts Xingu indigenous culture on full display. Hugged tightly by the all-important Xingu River, the design incorporates Xingu cultural elements like fishing baskets, cassava root, buildings, and headdress.

[9A]

Apr 14, 2017
First Day of Bengali Calendar Pohela Boishakh





Today's doodle marks Pohela Boishakh, the first day of the Bengali Calendar. While Pohela Boishakh is a lively festival today, its origins are less fanciful. The Bengali calendar year was developed over 400 years ago by the Emperor Akbar as a way to collect taxes on a specific date every year. When the new year begins, accountants can close their books on the previous year and start fresh.

On this day in Bangladesh, the country comes alive with colorful celebrations and parades. Cities and towns gather together to sing traditional songs like "Esho, he Boishakh". They eat Bengali food such as Panta bhaat [a dish of rice soaked in water], and Illish Maas [fried hilsa fish]. The main attraction in the capital city of Dhaka is the large Mangal Shobhajatra procession. The streets fill up with a parade of huge masks and creatures, each with its own symbolism, but many meant to drive away evil spirits or inspire courage and peace. The masks are often vibrant and imaginative representations of animals native to Bangladesh, like the owl and tiger you see in today's doodle.

[9A]

Apr 13, 2017
Songkran 2017





Celebrated in Thailand every April 13-15, Songkran is the New Year’s holiday famous around the world for its water festival. For many visitors to the Southeastern Asian country, it’s primarily just an excuse for an epic water battle in the streets of a tropical paradise. For Thai people, though, the holiday is also a time to do good deeds and spend time with family.

The name of the holiday is derived from a Sanskrit term that describes the movement of the sun through the sky as the seasons change. Traditionally, Thai people celebrate Songkran by visiting temples to pour water over statues of Buddha, or by visiting elder relatives to pour water over their hands. These acts are known to be symbols of purification — a spring cleaning of sorts. And in a place where daily temperatures reach highs of 88°F in the month of April, it’s easy to see how the tradition might’ve evolved into the all-out splash-fest it is today.

The water festival is now so well established, some cities shut down busy streets during celebration days, allowing participants to safely soak anything and anyone that crosses their paths. So if you’re strolling around Thailand in mid-April and a total stranger douses you with water, consider it a compliment!

[9A]

Apr 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]

Mar 23, 2017
Hassan Fathy’s 117th Birthday





Today's Doodle celebrates Hassan Fathy, an Egyptian architect known for pioneering new methods, respecting tradition, and valuing all walks of life. Fathy is known to be a poet, musician, and inventor, but he spent his life's work in architecture, after training in Cairo.

At the beginning of his career, Fathy focused on teaching architecture to others, but soon began to take on architectural projects of his own. He was convinced that Egypt could look to its past to create a valuable future. He researched ancient methods of building, and began working with traditional materials like mud and earth. He made use of traditional structures as well, relying on archways for strong support and malqaf, or windcatchers, which take in natural ventilation through open windows and direct air throughout a home.

Beyond preserving Egypt's architectural legacy, Fathy trusted in the power of community to look after itself. He trained community members to create their own materials from scratch and build their own structures, so that they would be able to sustain their homes long after Fathy was gone. In this way, he was invested in more than building homes - he was building communities. For his ambitious New Gourna project in Luxor, he built diverse homes with the understanding that different families would have different needs. He also built a theater, school, market, and mosque, since a community is based on more than houses. His work in Egypt and beyond inspired others all over the world to find innovative ways to respect their local traditions and resources.

[9A]

Mar 19, 2017
Minna Canth’s 173rd Birthday





Minna Canth pioneered Finland's spirit of equality. Beginning with journalism, she edited and wrote for the newspaper Keski-Suomi, later going on to publish her own paper, Wapaita Aatteita, with A.B. Mäkelä. After her husband’s death, Canth raised their 7 children alone, managed her family shop selling cloth, and developed her own writing. In 1878, she published her first book, a collection of short stories called Novelleja ja kertomuksia.

Through her literary work, Canth addressed social issues, pushing the envelope for workers' rights and women's freedoms. Her most famous play is Työmiehen vaimo, about urban labor and life.She helped pave the way for Finnish women to become the first in Europe to win the right to vote in 1906.

Shortly after, in 1907, Finland became the first country in the world to elect women to Parliament.
Minna was also one of the first writers to write in Finnish rather than Swedish. This meant that not only was Minna fighting for women, but for the visibility of Finland on the world stage.

Her memory is marked with a statue and museum in her hometown of Kuopio, as well as statues in the other towns she called home, Tampere and Jyväskylä. Finland also celebrates her legacy every year with the Day of Equality, an observance of the advancements she made for equal treatment for all in Finland. Today, we honor Minna Canth on what would be her 137th birthday.

[9A]

Mar 3, 2017
Girls' Day 2017





irls’ Day, also known as “Hinamatsuri” or “Doll’s Day,” is a day-long Japanese festival to wish for the health and wellbeing of young girls. On March 3rd, sprawling displays of ornate dolls sparkle atop 7-tiered red carpet platforms—with each step representing a different layer of society from the Heian period [an era considered to be the peak of the Japanese imperial court]. In the traditions of this time, straw hina dolls were floated out in little boats, taking with them the troubles and dark spirits of the believers who set them out to sea.

This Doodle features the stars of the first platform: the Emperor who holds a ritual baton in his hands and the Empress with her fan. Between them, two vases of peach branches were said to bring good luck, as the very beginnings of their seasonal bloom often corresponded with this day of feminine celebration.

[9A]

Feb 27, 2017
Dominican Republic National Day 2017






Today's Doodle marks the 173rd anniversary of the Dominican Republic's independence with a depiction of one of its most majestic natural features, Los Haitises National Park. The park is a unique piece of Dominican heritage; the convergence of San Lorenzo Bay, forests of mangroves, and birds like pelicans and parrots.

Every year, the Dominican Republic celebrates Carnival for the entire month of February — but none compare to the independence day celebrations at the end of the month. On this day, people don white, red, and blue to honor the colors of the national flag. They parade down the streets, celebrate the richness of Dominican culture, and eat traditional dishes like bacalao, or flaked codfish, and mangú, a mashed plantain dish.

[9A]

Feb 6, 2017
Pramoedya Ananta Toer's 92nd Birthday






It might be said that Pramoedya Ananta Toer’s pen was his sword. Known as ‘Pramoedya’ or “Pram,’ this Indonesian writer was a proponent of human rights and freedom of expression who fought against Japanese and Dutch colonialism in his country.

Born on February 6, 1925, in a village called Blora on Java, Pram was exposed to political activism through his father, and came to journalism while working as a stenographer for a Japanese news agency. Incarcerated from 1947–1949 for being “anti-colonial,” he wrote his first novel,The Fugitive behind bars.

His novels throughout the 1950s continued to hold a mirror up to the impact of colonialism. Following a coup and suspected of ties to the Indonesian communist party, Pram was sent to the Indonesian island of Buru in 1969 where he spent over a decade as a political prisoner. When refused pen and paper, Pram turned to oral storytelling, sharing a story with his fellow prisoners about a Javanese boy named Minke who spurns Indonesia’s hierarchical society in the last years of Dutch colonization. Granted a typewriter towards the end of his term, he brought Minke’s tale to life through the four-volume Buru Quartet, his most well-known work. In fact, the books were smuggled out of Indonesia by Pram's friend, a German priest, to avoid being taken or destroyed, and have now been translated into more than 20 languages worldwide.

[9A]

Dec 1, 2016
Teacher's Day 2016 [Panama]

[9A]

Nov 14, 2016
Doodle 4 Google - Children's Day 2016 [India]





The winner for the 2016 Doodle 4 Google competition in India is Anvita Prashant Telang of Vibgyor High School in Balewadi, Pune. This year the theme was, "If I could teach anyone anything, it would be..." Anvita responded with the following statement and illustration:
Enjoy Every Moment

"In the current stressful times, greatest joys of life are often hidden in simple things, thus I would like to teach everyone to take time to enjoy every moment of life and appreciate the simple things around us."

[9A]

Oct 28, 2016
Sumpah Pemuda 2016




Every year on this day, Indonesians remember the powerful declaration of the Youth Pledge [Sumpah Pemuda], dating to October 28, 1928 :

“Firstly, We the sons and daughters of Indonesia, acknowledge one motherland, Indonesia. Secondly, We the sons and daughters of Indonesia, acknowledge one nation, the nation of Indonesia. Thirdly, We the sons and daughters of Indonesia, respect the language of unity, Indonesian.”

The words were first spoken by a group of young Indonesian nationalists taking part in the nation’s Second Youth Congress. The proud tradition of the Youth Congress began in Batavia [now Jakarta] in 1926 to promote the idea of a united Indonesia. The second congress, held two years later in three different locations, closed with a reading of the Youth Pledge, words that endure as a symbol of nationalism today.