Google doodles

[9A]

20 October 2014

Christopher Wren's 382nd Birthday




It took 33 years to build St. Paul’s Cathedral in London but today, on our homepage in the U.K, it happens in a matter of seconds. Completed in 1720, the cathedral is considered to be English architect Christopher Wren’s magnum opus. But, with a portfolio featuring British landmarks like the Royal Observatory of Greenwich and Kensington Palace, Wren’s legacy stands tall throughout England. Happy 382nd birthday to Christopher Wren!

[9A]

20 October 2011

Park Wan-suh's 80th Birthday





Park Wan-suh [October 20, 1931 – January 22, 2011] was a South Korean writer.

[9A]

14 December 2021

Celebrating som tum




Today’s Doodle celebrates signature Thai dish Som Tum, a sweet and spicy green papaya salad also popular in Cambodia, Laos, and Vietnam. On this day in 2012, Thailand’s Department of Cultural Promotion registered Som Tum as a national intangible cultural heritage food.

Like many of the world’s most loved dishes, the origins of som tum are shrouded in mystery. Most food historians believe the savory salad originated in Laos due to its rich history in the historic Isaan region, which encompasses areas of northeastern Thailand and borders Laos. The classic Thai recipe calls for spicy Thai chilies balanced by palm sugar, garlic, shrimp, fish sauce, peanuts, limes, cherry tomatoes, green beans, and green papaya.

The term “som tum” is a combination of two Isaan words translating to “tart flavor” and “to pound,” reflecting the first step in the salad’s preparation in which a mortar and pestle is used to ground several of the ingredients into a tart salad dressing. The dressing is mixed with the remaining ingredients and topped with roasted peanuts for an added salty crunch. The final product is a salad that is simultaneously salty, sweet, spicy, sour, and bitter—a flavor combination that defines Thai cuisine.

How the meal is prepared varies depending on the region, but most pair this popular Thai staple with sticky rice. For those new to som tum, it's recommended that you pay attention to the number of chilis included in your salad as they are notoriously spicy!

[9A]

2 December 2013

Carlos Merida's 122nd Birthday



Carlos Mérida was a Guatemalan artist who was one of the first to fuse European modern painting to Latin American themes, especially those related to Guatemala and Mexico. He was part of the Mexican muralism movement in subject matter but less so in style, favoring a non-figurative and later geometric style rather than a figurative, narrative style. Mérida is best known for canvas and mural work, the latter including elements such as glass and ceramic mosaic on major constructions in the 1950s and 1960s. One of his major works 4000m2 on the Benito Juarez housing complex, was completely destroyed with the 1985 Mexico City earthquake, but a monument to it exists at another complex in the south of the city.

[9A]

2 December 2013

Maria Callas' 90th Birthday





Maria Callas Commendatore OMRI [born Sophie Cecilia Kalos; December 2, 1923 – September 16, 1977] was an American-born Greek soprano who was one of the most renowned and influential opera singers of the 20th century. Many critics praised her bel canto technique, wide-ranging voice and dramatic interpretations. Her repertoire ranged from classical opera seria to the bel canto operas of Donizetti, Bellini and Rossini and, further, to the works of Verdi and Puccini; and, in her early career, to the music dramas of Wagner. Her musical and dramatic talents led to her being hailed as La Divina ["the Divine one"].

Illustrated by guest artist Kali Ciesemier.

[9A]

2 December 2021

Georges Seurat’s 162nd birthday






Today’s Doodle celebrates French painter Georges Seurat, who captured the natural qualities of light in scenes of contemporary Parisian life with his signature painting techniques known as Pointillism and Divisionism. Seurat’s innovative methods gave rise to the school of Neo-Impressionism, an avant-garde 19th century movement that forever changed the course of modern art.

Georges Seurat was born into a prosperous family in Paris, France, on this day in 1859. He began formal artistic training as a teenager and furthered his education at the prestigious fine arts institution École des Beaux-Arts in 1878. Seurat developed a fascination with the science behind art during his studies, but soon became disenchanted with the confines of academic tradition. He delved into the scientific study of color theory and optical physics to develop an original style he coined “chromo-luminarism,” later known as Pointillism or Divisionism.

After many drafts on small boards, a meeting with a 100-year-old chemist, and years of experimentation, Seurat finished the painting widely considered his masterpiece at only 26, “A Sunday Afternoon on the Island of La Grande Jatte — 1884,” now in the Helen Birch Bartlett Memorial Collection, The Art Institute of Chicago. An encapsulation of the Pointillist technique is recreated in the Doodle artwork. When viewed from the proper distance, the mural-sized painting tricks the observer into perceiving over 200,000 tiny brushstrokes and dabs of contrasting color on its canvas as a shimmering, cohesive scene of an island in the Seine outside of Paris.

Seurat’s obsession with color theory has prompted some art historians to hypothesize that his techniques were influenced by the atmospheric effects of the volcanic eruptions that created some of the most colorful sunsets recorded during the 1800s. Although the exact inspirations for his artistic innovations remain up for debate, Seurat has had an impact on the visual culture. His monumental work has inspired countless artists across disciplines, a Broadway musical, and has even been featured in a blockbuster film.

Here’s to an artist who never lost sight of the big picture!

[9A]

28 Nov 2021

35th anniversary of Taroko National Park



In the language of Taiwan’s indigenous Truku people, taroko means magnificent or beautiful. Taroko Park—the Truku people’s ancestral home—reflects the grandiosity of its title as one of Taiwan’s nine national parks. Today’s Doodle celebrates this protected park on the 35th anniversary of the day it was established to formally conserve the nation’s natural beauty and biodiversity. The Doodle artwork depicts the Taroko Gorge Waterfalls and the Eternal Spring Shrine.

From the precipitous white marble walls of Taroko Gorge to the active steam vents of Taiwan’s tallest volcano Mount Qixing, Taroko Park serves as an epicenter of scientific research and environmental education. The reserve spans over 350 square miles, ranging across an expansive Pacific shoreline to 140 rugged mountain peaks—27 of which stand among the nation’s 100 tallest mountains! These peaks were formed by the collision of two massive tectonic plates over millions of years, and the Central Mountain Range continues to be elevated by several millimeters annually.

As a gathering place for outdoor adventurists and wildlife enthusiasts alike, Taroko’s widely varied geography creates several climate zones that provide habitats for hundreds of species of flora and fauna. The alpine forests of the park’s higher elevations support tree-dwelling mammals like the Formosan rock macaque, Taiwan’s only indigenous primate. Its lower regions harbor an exceptional collection of plant and animal life, including over 300 butterfly species.

Happy 35th Anniversary, Taroko National Park!

[9A]

28 November 2013

Claude Lévi-Strauss's 105th Birthday




Claude Lévi-Strauss was a French anthropologist and ethnologist whose work was key in the development of the theories of structuralism and structural anthropology. He held the chair of Social Anthropology at the Collège de France between 1959 and 1982, was elected a member of the Académie française in 1973 and was a member of the School for Advanced Studies in the Social Sciences in Paris. He received numerous honors from universities and institutions throughout the world.

[9A]

22 November 2018

Thanksgiving 2018




For almost 400 years, Americans across the country have gathered with family and friends on the last Thursday in November for a harvest season feast. It’s a time of many traditions, including the preparation of Thanksgiving staples like turkey, stuffing, and pumpkin pie, as well as a time of reflection and appreciation for all of life’s blessings.

Today’s Doodle aims to capture the spirit of the day and hopes to be a grate reminder that blessings can come in all shapes and sizes—even mouse-sized ones!

Happy Thanksgiving 2018!

[9A]

17 November 2016

Elisabeth "Ellis" Kaut's 96th Birthday




Who's that little goblin lighting the birthday cake? The impish Pumuckl, created by Elisabeth "Ellis" Kaut, has been playfully causing mischief since 1962. Pumuckl is a kobold, a kind of sprite based in German folklore. He constantly gets into trouble but never intends any real harm. Kaut, who would be 96 today, wrote more than 100 Pumuckl stories. She received several awards and honors for her work, including the prestigious Bavarian Poetentaler literary award.

Today's Doodle was created by Barbara von Johnson, who became the primary Pumuckl illustrator in Kaut's books after winning a competition at the Munich Academy of Fine Arts in 1963.

[9A]

14 Nov 2016

Sir Frederick Banting’s 125th Birthday





For more than 3,000 years, diabetes was considered a mystery in the medical field. While the symptoms were well recognized, there was no clear path to treatment outside of changing diet which produced inconsistent results.

Frederick Banting, a scientist at the University of Toronto changed all that in the early 1920's when he and partner Charles Best discovered how to isolate and extract insulin —a naturally produced hormone, for use on humans to treat diabetes.

In 1923, Banting was awarded a share of the Nobel Prize in medicine for his work in insulin treatment, which had quickly become the standard. This was thanks in part to him releasing the rights for pharmaceutical companies to manufacture insulin royalty-free. In fact, Banting was offered $1 million and royalties for his formula—but turned it down and chose to never profit from his research.

In observance of what would be his 125th birthday, we celebrate Frederick Banting and his contribution to saving countless lives across the world.

[9A]

14 November 2012

Amadeu de Souza-Cardoso's 125th Birthday





Amadeo de Souza-Cardoso was a Portuguese painter.

Belonging to the first generation of Portuguese modernist painters, Amadeo de Souza-Cardoso stands out among all of them for the exceptional quality of his work and for the dialogue he established with the historical avant-gardes of the early 20th century. "The artist developed, between Paris and Manhufe, the most serious possibility of modern art in Portugal in an international dialogue, intense but little known, with the artists of his time". His painting is articulated with open movements such as Cubism, Futurism or Expressionism, reaching in many moments - and in a sustained way in the production of recent years - a level comparable in everything to the cutting-edge production of his contemporary international art.

[9A]

7 June 2021

Roberto Cantoral's 85th birthday




Today’s Doodle, illustrated by guest artist Totoi Semerena, celebrates Mexican pianist, guitarist, singer, poet, activist, and composer Roberto Cantoral. He soundtracked a booming era of romantic Latin pop with beloved ballads such as “El Reloj” [“The Watch”] and “La Barca” [“The Boat”], both of which have been recorded over 1,000 times by dozens of musicians such as Plácido Domingo and Linda Ronstadt.

Born in Tampico on this day in 1935, Roberto Antonio Cantoral García launched his career at 15 when he and his brother Antonio formed the duet “Hermanos Cantoral” [“Cantoral Brothers”]. But his music found mainstream success once he banded together with Chamin Correa and Leonel Galver to form the trio aptly named “Los Tres Caballeros” [“The Three Gentlemen”].

The trio traveled far and wide throughout the 50s, taking their romantic ballads on worldwide tours in countries ranging from Japan to Argentina. In 1960, Cantoral broke out on his own. His original solo compositions were performed by some of Mexico’s most distinguished singers, and he continued to share his music with the world into the 2000s, performing at music festivals, radio shows, and TV programs in over 120 countries.

Along with his musical legacy, Cantoral advocated for protecting composers’ intellectual property as an honorary president of the Mexican Society of Composers and Authors for over 25 years. In 2009, Cantoral was honored at the 10th Latin Grammy Awards with the Latin Recording Academy Trustees Award to recognize his dedication to music and community.

Happy birthday, Roberto Cantoral, and may your music live on forever in the hearts of listeners worldwide!

[9A]

14 November 2001

Claude Monet's 161st Birthday



Oscar-Claude Monet was a French painter and founder of impressionist painting who is seen as a key precursor to modernism, especially in his attempts to paint nature as he perceived it. During his long career, he was the most consistent and prolific practitioner of impressionism's philosophy of expressing one's perceptions before nature, especially as applied to plein air [outdoor] landscape painting. The term "Impressionism" is derived from the title of his painting Impression, soleil levant, exhibited in the 1874 ["exhibition of rejects"] initiated by Monet and his associates as an alternative to the Salon.

[9A]

26 Oct 2015

Karin Boye’s 115th Birthday




Karin Boye was a sensitive Swedish poet. An idealist at heart, she imagined the best of what humanity could offer, but was observant of the grey realities that hold us back. She lived in disastrous times, pre-World War II. But in the face of darkness, she wrote: Clouds, Hidden Lands, and Yes, of course it hurts.

Today’s animated doodle by Olivia When is adapted from one of Boye’s best known works "Yes, of course it hurts," describing the inevitable pain of change. While melancholy in tone, her optimism shines through. The branches and buds outside persist, in spite of the seasons, while Boye writes. Several earlier drafts [below] explored the metaphor of a tree changing throughout the year, but the lighting in this final version seemed to best match the mood of Boye’s words.

[9A]

26 October 2011

Austrian National Day 2011



On 26 October 1955, after all occupation troops had left, Austria declared its "permanent neutrality" by an act of parliament. This day is now Austria's National Day, a public holiday.

[9A]

26 October 2020

Dolores Cacuango's 139th Birthday



Today’s Doodle celebrates the 139th birthday of Ecuadorian civil rights pioneer Dolores Cacuango, who spent decades fighting fiercely for the rights of the country’s Indigenous people. Cacuango was a dedicated advocate for accessible education and instrumental in establishing Ecuador’s first bilingual schools, which practiced in Spanish and the Indigenous language of Quichua.

Dolores Cacuango was born on this day in 1881 in the Pesillo hacienda in the northern canton of Cayambe, Ecuador. Like many Indigenous people before her, she began to work at a young age, and at 15 years old was forced to relocate to the Ecuadorian capital of Quito to become a servant. With new insight into the troubling racism and class inequality facing her people, Cacuango returned home committed to the struggle for change.

Back in Pesillo, she became a leader in the movement against the exploitative hacienda system, and through her dynamic speeches, she advocated for causes like land rights, economic justice, and education for the Indigenous community. In 1926, she helped lead the people of Cayambe in challenging the sale of their community land, setting a strong example for future movements. Some two decades later in 1944, she also contributed to the establishment of the groundbreaking Ecuadorian Federation of Indians, which united Indigenous people around economic and cultural issues. She spent the rest of her life advocating for indigenous rights for current and future generations.

Today, Cacuango’s legacy is remembered with a street named in her honor in northern Quito.

[9A]

26 October 2018

Austria National Day 2018



Each year on October 26, Austrians celebrate the day in 1955 when the Austrian Parliament declared permanent neutrality, establishing the country as independent democratic and multicultural state, respecting its neighbors and the human rights of all its citizens. This year’s Nationalfeiertag [national holiday] is special because it also marks 100 years since the formation of the Republic of German Austria.

Today’s Doodle depicts the Pallas-Athene-Brunnen Fountain, situated on Vienna’s famous Ringstrasse in front of the Parliament building. The Austrian sculptor Karl Kundmann created the marble figure of the Greek goddess of wisdom, seen here wearing a sash to commemorate Austria’s centennial.

National Day celebrations include a ceremony at Heldenplatz [Hero’s Square] featuring the Federal President and Minister of Defense, a televised state of the union address, and the swearing-in of new recruits to the Austrian armed forces. At the Heldenplatz the Austrian military performs, twirling and tossing their rifles in the air as the music plays.

Happy National Day, Austria!



Fountain of Palace Athens
in Vienna in front of Austrian
parliament building

[9A]

26 Oct 2018

Teachers' Day [Australia]

[9A]

25 Oct 2018

Tyrus Wong’s 108th Birthday





Along the beach in Santa Monica, California, on the fourth Saturday of every month, an elderly gentleman could be found flying kites with his wife and three daughters. The panda bears, butterflies, and centipedes floating in the breeze were of his own design.

Today’s Doodle honors the life and legacy of Tyrus Wong [[born Wong Gen Yeo) the Chinese-American artist responsible for some of the best-known images in American popular culture. Drawing inspiration from Chinese artists of the Song Dynasty, Wong applied his unique vision to paintings, prints, and even the Walt Disney film Bambi.

Born on this day in 1910 in a village in southern China’s Guangdong Province, ten-year-old Wong and his father traveled to America seeking a better life. After living a short time in Sacramento, they eventually settled in Los Angeles.

Although Wong’s father recognized his love of art from an early age, he could only afford for Wong to practice calligraphy using water and newspapers as well as study Chinese art at the Los Angeles Central Library. There, he was introduced to his favorite paintings, the spare landscape paintings of the Song Dynasty [[960–1279 AD). In junior high school, Wong earned a scholarship to the Otis Art institute, supporting himself as a waiter in Chinatown. He and fellow artists like Benji Okubo and Hideo Date formed the Oriental Artists’ Group of Los Angeles, organizing shows of their work. In 1932, Wong’s work was exhibited at the Art Institute of Chicago along with works by Picasso, Matisse, and Paul Klee.

In 1938, Wong was hired by Walt Disney Studios as an "inbetweener" intern [illustrators who create the sketches between key animator sketches, forming the movement of a character or object], drawing thousands of illustrations that were photographed to make animated films. His most notable work was on the Disney film Bambi, where he served as a lead illustrator, profoundly influencing the art of the beloved classic. Unfortunately, when Bambi hit theaters in 1942, Wong was only credited as one of many “background artists,” leading his major contributions to go unrecognized for years.

Wong went on to work for Warner Brothers, drawing and painting storyboards that shaped the look of other landmark Hollywood films like The Wild Bunch, Sands of Iwo Jima, and Rebel Without A Cause—all of which earned Academy Award nominations.

The artist’s contributions to Hollywood went largely unrecognized until 2001, when he was named a “Disney Legend.” Twelve years later, the Walt Disney Family Museum also staged a career retrospective “Water to Paper, Paint to Sky.”

A message from the creator of today’s Doodle, Sophie Diao:

Tyrus Wong’s work has inspired me since I first learned about him as a first-year animation student at CalArts. I specifically love how he infused Western illustration with Eastern painting sensibilities; it motivates me to think about ways to channel my own Chinese heritage in the stories and artwork I make.

Today’s Doodle was heavily inspired by Tyrus’ paintings of forests, which are atmospheric, blurry, and magical. They feel like distant memories that have been committed to paper. I tried to imbue the Doodle with this dreamy feeling too.

The more research I did on his life, the more impressed I was by the playful and curious way he lived. I feel like I really got to know him from all the videos and interviews in which he lit up when talking about his creative process. Now that the project is over, I’ll miss being immersed in his world, but I hope to carry forward the inspiration I found.

Happy Birthday, Tyrus Wong!

[9A]

26 October 2014


Brazil Elections 2014 [Second Round]

[9A]

26 October 2015

Austria National Day 2015





Today marks the first day of Austria's complete independence as a sovereign state. Much of Austria's celebrations will take place in Vienna, including a celebration at Heldenplatz, the most prominent square in the city center, and free admission at federal museums. If you're not in the country, you can explore The Austrian Museum of Fine Arts [Kunsthistorisches Museum Wien] on Google Cultural Institute.

Another one of the long-held traditions of Austria includes equestrian exercises performed by world-famous white Lipizzaner stallions. These horses are trained in Vienna to perform highly technical drills that demonstrate the precise movements required in ancient battlefield maneuvers. This tradition is what we’re celebrating in the Doodle today, created by Doodler Robinson Wood. The horse and rider in this doodle are performing a courbette [[a standing jump) which is one of the most difficult movements, and demands intense focus and partnership between horse and rider.

[9A]

26 October 2017

40th Anniversary of Film 'Office Romance'




Romance is in the air! Today marks the 40th anniversary of Office Romance, the hit 1977 film that brilliantly blends romantic drama with screwball comedy.

Fifty-eight million people [nearly half the population in 1977] saw Office Romance upon its Soviet Era release. Praised for its depiction of everyday life in Soviet society, the film is still celebrated for its unconventional love story, talented acting, and wistful humor.

Office Romance made a lasting impact on Russian culture with its memorable one-liners and catchy soundtrack, inspiring homage through remakes and stage performances. Today’s Doodle pays homage as well, depicting Kalugina catching Novoseltsev in the middle of an embarrassing conversation, one of the film’s iconic scenes.

[9A]

25 Oct 2017

Âşık Veysel Şatıroğlu 123rd Birthday





Âşık Veysel [born Veysel Şatıroğlu; 25 October 1894 – 21 March 1973] was a Turkish Alevi ashik and highly regarded poet of the Turkish folk literature.[1] He was born in the Sivrialan village of the Şarkışla district, in the province of Sivas. He was an ashik, poet, songwriter, and a bağlama virtuoso, the prominent representative of the Anatolian ashik tradition in the 20th century. He was blind for most of his lifetime. His songs are usually sad tunes, often dealing with the inevitability of death. However, Veysel used a wide range of themes for his lyrics; based on morals, values, and constant questioning of issues such as love, care, beliefs, and how he perceived the world as a blind man.

[9A]

25 October 2021

Galina Vishnevskaya's 95th birthday




Today’s Doodle, illustrated guest artist Darya Shnykina, celebrates the 95th birthday of one of the greatest Russian opera singers of the 20th century—Galina Vishnevskaya.

Galina Pavlovna Ivanova was born on this day in 1926 in Leningrad, Russia [modern-day St. Petersburg] and became enthralled with opera at 10 years old after hearing Tchaikovsky’s epic “Eugene Onegin.” While walking the streets of Leningrad in the early 1950s, Vishnevskaya stumbled upon an invitation to audition for the Bolshoi Theater—Russia’s most prestigious opera hall. She blew the judges away with her audition, earning a spot as the year’s only auditioner accepted into the Bolshoi troupe.

In 1953, her childhood dreams were realized at the Bolshoi as she portrayed the lead character Tatyana in “Eugene Onegin” with a fresh interpretation of a classic character that became her signature role. This marked the genesis of a virtuosic opera career that took Vishnevskaya to venues around the world—often with her beloved dachshund Pooks in tow—from New York’s Metropolitan Opera to Helsinki’s Finnish National Opera. It was at the latter venue that she gave her final performance of Tatyana before retiring in 1982.

As a devoted humanitarian, Vishnevskaya founded the non-profit children’s welfare organization Rostropovich-Vishnevskaya Foundation in 1991 alongside her husband, the world-class cellist Maestro Rostropovich. She also founded the Galina Vishnevskaya Opera Centre in 2002 to provide a home for aspiring opera singers. Both organizations carry on her legacy of helping and inspiring others to this day.

Happy birthday, Galina Vishnevskaya!

[9A]

25 Oct 2021

Claude Cahun's 127th birthday



Today’s Doodle celebrates the 127th birthday of French author and surrealist photographer Claude Cahun—best-known for their purposefully unsettling yet playful self-portrait photography that challenged the gender and sexuality norms of the early 20th century.

Claude Cahun was born on this day in 1894 in Nantes, France, into a Jewish family. As the grandchild of the influential French artist David Leon Cahun and a child of a newspaper owner, Cahun came of age surrounded by creativity. At 14, they met Marcel Moore, their lifelong partner and artistic collaborator. After moving to Paris to study literature in 1919, Cahun shaved their head and adopted their famed gender-neutral name in revolt against societal convention.


Despite gender non-conformity being widely considered taboo in 1920s Paris, Cahun’s decision to publicly identify as non-binary met with controversy, but they explicitly rejected the public fuss. Cahun explored gender-fluidity through literature and melancholic self-portraiture such as the 1927 series “I am in training, don’t kiss me.” This work depicted the artist costumed as a feminized weightlifter, blurring the line between masculine and feminine stereotypes. In addition to their lifelong artistic work, Cahun worked with others to resist fascist occupation. The French government awarded their efforts with the Medal of French Gratitude in 1951.

In 2018, the Paris City Council named a street in honor of Cahun and Moore in the French capital’s sixth district, where the duo once lived. In addition to increasing focus on their pioneering work in the Surrealist movement and breaking down gender barriers in the photographic arts, Cahun’s work has influenced gender bending celebrities, the modern LGBTQ+ community, and conversations on identity and expression to this day.

Happy birthday, Claude Cahun!

[9A]

25 October 2019

Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti’s 119th Birthday



“As for the charges against me, I am unconcerned,” said Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti, the Nigerian educator and activist who fearlessly campaigned for women’s rights and the liberation of Africa from colonial rule. Today’s Doodle, illustrated by Nigerian-Italian guest artist Diana Ejaita, celebrates a formidable leader who founded what many refer to as one of the most important social movements of the twentieth century.​

Born on this day in 1900 in Abeokuta, the current capital of Nigeria’s Ogun state, the former Frances Abigail Olufunmilayo Thomas grew up witnessing Great Britain consolidating control over Nigeria. As the grandchild of a slave, she became one of the first girls to enroll in Abeokuta Grammar School, before traveling to Cheshire in England to continue her education. By the time she returned home, she’d dropped her birth names and preferred to speak Yoruba.

In 1932, Ransome-Kuti established the Abeokuta Ladies Club [ALC], fostering unity between educated women and poor market workers and setting up the first adult education programs for Nigerian women. Renamed the Abeokuta Women’s Union in 1946, the organization boasted a membership of some 20,000 and pushed for healthcare, social services, and economic opportunity. Imprisoned in 1947 for protesting against unfair treatment towards women, Ransome-Kuti and her followers also led the charge to abdicate a corrupt local leader.

A trailblazer in many ways, Ransome-Kuti was also the first Nigerian woman to drive a car. She was also the only woman in Nigeria’s 1947 delegation to London, which lodged a protest and set the nation on the path toward self-government. As one of the few women elected to Nigeria’s house of chiefs, she was recognized for her advocacy work on behalf of women's rights and education, and revered as the “Lioness of Lisabi” and the “Mother of Africa.”

Her daughter—Dolupo—and three sons—Beko, Olikoye, and Fela—likewise became leaders in education, healthcare, and music, continuing their mother’s legacy of activism and advocacy.

[9A]

8 August 2018

Dilip Sardesai’s 78th Birthday




There are no Test cricket grounds approved for national matches in Goa, the former Portuguese colony on India’s western coast where Dilip Sardesai was born on August 8, 1940. Nevertheless Sardesai would go on to become a legendary batsman for India.

Considered one of the best batsmen ever to play the game, Sardesai was especially effective against spin bowling. He would play 30 Test matches for India, earning the title “Renaissance Man of Indian cricket.” Between 1961 and 1972, he scored 2,001 runs.

Sardesai's greatest feat came in 1971 when he helped defeat the mighty West Indies side in their own backyard. The Indian team had lost to Barbados and struggled against Guyana, but Sardesai became a national hero in India for his 642 runs in the series, including a score of 212 in the Test match at Kingston, Jamaica. To boost his team’s spirits, he declared the match a “Popatwadi attack”—a term he coined himself to poke fun at opponents.

“I was told he was terrific against spin,” wrote his son, journalist Rajdeep Sardesai. “He wasn’t the greatest fielder but he was always someone who was ready for a fight.” Today’s animated Doodle depicts Sardesai, whom West Indian fans nicknamed "Sardee-man," showing his skill at the crease as he sends a ball flying.

Happy 78th birthday, Dilip Sardesai!

[9A]

8 August 2013

Mugunghwa Day




The mugunghwa, or the rose of Sharon, is an object of deep affection. Meaning “eternal blossom that never fades,” it has been an important symbol of Korean culture for centuries.

Koreans cherish the national flower because it honors the country’s noble spirit and symbolizes the many successes as well as tribulations that the nation has experienced. Mugunghwa varieties are grouped based on the colors of their blossoms. The groups are dansim, baedal, and asadal.

[9A]

24 August 2020

Ukraine Independence Day 2020



Today’s Doodle commemorates Ukraine’s Independence Day, considered one of the most important Ukranian holidays of the year. On this day in 1991, Ukraine officially proclaimed full autonomy from Soviet rule.

Illustrated in today’s Doodle is a wreath that showcases blue knapweeds and yellow sunflowers, colors that reflect the stripes of the Ukrainian flag. The country’s national flower is the sunflower, which saw a boom of cultivation across the rich soil of present-day Ukraine in the early 19th century, due in part to its useful and versatile oil.

Today, sunflowers cover more than 20% of Ukraine’s farmable land, which helps to make the country the largest exporter of sunflower oil in the world.

Happy Independence Day, Ukraine!

[9A]

11 November 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.

Happy National Day Poland!

[9A]

11 Nov 2018

Christy Essien Igbokwe’s 58th Birthday





Born in Akwa Ibom state on this day in 1960, Christy Essien-Igbokwe was an actress and singer known as “Nigeria’s Lady of Songs.” Fluent in her native language of Ibibo, Essien-Igbokwe also spoke and sang in English, Yoruba, and Igbo giving her music a broad appeal across cultural and tribal lines. Among her many popular releases, the inspirational record “Seun Rere” became a rallying cry within Nigeria.

“My childhood was very challenging,” she once recalled. “I used to have a brother who was a soldier then. He was always on transfer owing to the nature of his job.” Orphaned at an early age, Essien-Igbokwe’s love of music inspired her to persevere. “I didn’t know I could sing until I found myself doing so,” the great artist recalled of her experience being caught up in the spirit of music. “I was like an abandoned child, my condition made me discover myself.”

From humble beginnings to singing in clubs, she landed an appearance on a televised talent show, which led to a role on the popular TV show The New Masquerade. Essien-Igbokwe released her first record, Freedom, at age 17 and never looked back. Her 1981 album Ever Liked My Person became a smash hit. In 1987 the Akwa-Ibom artist recorded a song, “Akwa Ibom Mmi,” which became an anthem of pride for those sharing her heritage.

Using her fame to highlight social issues, she appeared in the Hollywood films Flesh and Blood and Scars of Womanhood, which addressed the abuse of women and children. In 1981 Essien-Igbokwe helped establish the Performing Musicians Association of Nigeria with renowned artists King Sunny Adé and Sonny Okosun, becoming the organization’s first female president in 1996. She was also a staunch supporter and advocate for the Performing and Mechanical Rights Society, often donating her own royalties to health and education programs benefiting women and children as well as the handicapped.

Using the same music that uplifted her to uplift her people, Essien-Igbokwe would go on to perform at 2009’s Inspire Africa Benefit Concert and received many awards in her lifetime in recognition of her contributions as an artist and humanitarian.

Happy Birthday, Christy Essien-Igbokwe!

[9A]

10 Nov 2009


40th Anniversary of Sesame Street





Sesame Street is an American educational children's television series that combines live-action, sketch comedy, animation and puppetry.

In 2002, Sesame Street was ranked number 27 on TV Guide's 50 Greatest TV Shows of All Time. Sesame Workshop won a Peabody Award in 2009 for its website, sesamestreet.org, and the show was given Peabody's Institutional Award in 2019 for 50 years of educating and entertaining children globally. In 2013, TV Guide ranked the show number 30 on its list of the 60 best TV series. As of 2021, Sesame Street has received 205 Emmy Awards, more than any other television series

[9A]

3 Nov 2009

Melbourne Cup 2009




The Melbourne Cup is Australia's most famous annual Thoroughbred horse race. It is a 3200-metre race for three-year-olds and over, conducted by the Victoria Racing Club on the Flemington Racecourse in Melbourne, Victoria as part of the Melbourne Spring Racing Carnival. It is the richest "two-mile" handicap in the world and one of the richest turf races. The event starts at 3:00 pm on the first Tuesday of November and is known locally as "the race that stops the nation".

Melbourne Cup day is a public holiday for all working within metropolitan Melbourne and some parts of regional Victoria, but not for some country Victorian cities and towns which hold their own spring carnivals.

[9A]

2 Nov 2009

Day of the Dead 2009 [Mexico]

[9A]

2 November 2020

Day of the Dead 2020





Today’s Doodle commemorates Mexico’s annual Day of the Dead, known in Spanish as Día de los Muertos, a joyful multi-day celebration of the cyclical nature of life and the loved ones who have passed away.

Day of the Dead traces its origins back several thousand years to the rituals of the Aztec and other Indigenous Nahua civilizations of what is now central Mexico. Today, many people observe the holiday through the traditions of the past, like setting out offerings of flowers, such as la flor de cempasúchil [the Mexican marigold] depicted in today’s Doodle, candles, and traditional foods including the sweet and aptly-named pan de muerto [bread of the dead].

Since 2008, the holiday has been recognized by UNESCO on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in honor of this celebration that keeps Mexico's rich history and traditions alive.

iFeliz Día de los Muertos, México!

[9A]

27 Oct 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.

In honor of Grigorov’s legacy, his home village of Studen Izvor today houses one of the world’s only museums of yogurt.

Честит Рожден ден, Dr. Grigorov!

[9A]

28 Oct 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.

[9A]

28 October 2013

Edith Head's 116th Birthday



"You can have anything you want in life if you dress for it." -- Edith Head

Edith Head was an American costume designer during the Golden Age of Hollywood. Throughout the course of her incredibly prolific career, she won eight Academy Awards -- more than any other woman -- and designed some of the most iconic dresses of the 20th century.

When the opportunity arose for us to celebrate Miss Edith's birthday, I snatched it up. It seemed like a dream doodle for me -- it perfectly combined my interests in clothing design and classic Hollywood cinema and also provided the ultimate test for my amateurish forays into fashion illustration [i.e. drawing my own outfits from time to time]!

For this doodle, I wanted to depict Edith standing tall and strong amongst a gallery of six of her drawings, which were chosen based on how iconic they were and how well they fit in with the colors of the Google logo. Recreating her drawings was great fun and incredibly inspiring.

Edith's costume designs were worn by countless celebrities and seen by millions of movie-watchers, but she herself stayed relatively behind-the-scenes. This strange balance of high-profile artwork with personal anonymity shares some interesting parallels to our work as Google Doodlers, so I am happy to have been able to pay tribute to a kindred spirit.

Posted by Sophie Diao, Doodler

[9A]

28 October 2014

Jonas Salk's 100th Birthday




Polio is nearly a thing of the past, thanks to the efforts of Dr. Jonas Salk. In 1952, Dr. Salk discovered and developed the first successful vaccine for polio. Combined with Albert Sabin’s oral vaccination, the virus is no longer the threat to the world that it used to be.

For the art, doodler Mike Dutton wanted to focus on those that benefited from this scientific milestone. Adults and children alike are susceptible to the disease, but children were especially at risk due to how the disease was transmitted.

Dr. Jonas Salk himself was a humble man and never patented the vaccine, forgoing an immeasurable fortune. When asked who owned the patent, Salk said it was the people that owned it, adding,”Could you patent the sun?”

Happy 100th, Dr. Jonas Salk!

[9A]

28 October 2018

39th Anniversary of the MassKara Festival



Today’s Doodle marks the 39th anniversary of the MassKara festival in the Philippines, a popular celebration known for its vibrant masks, feathers, costumes [like the one’s seen in Today’s Doodle] and dancing on the streets.

While the festival is at its peak on this particular day, it is a month-long celebration that includes, in addition to street dancing and singing, contests for pig-chasing, pole-climbing, and fireworks shows.

MassKara [Spanish-derived portmanteau of “a mass of people” and “face”] was started as a city government’s effort to uplift the city of Bacolod, located on the island of Negros. At the time, the prominent sugar industry was suffering and an economic depression had set in. The celebratory festival was intended to bring back joy and laughter in the lives of the people. It was not just embraced but has since become an integral part of the culture and a tourists delight,

Happy MassKara Festival to Bacolod and the Philippines!

[9A]

27 Oct 2012

Sugarloaf Cable Car's 100th Anniversary




The Sugarloaf Cable Car [Portuguese: Bondinho do Pão de Açúcar] is a cableway system in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The first part runs between Praia Vermelha and Morro da Urca [at 722 feet [220 m]], from where the second rises to the summit of the 1,299-foot [396 m] Sugarloaf Mountain.

The cableway was envisioned by the engineer Augusto Ferreira Ramos in 1908 who sought support from well-known figures of Rio's high society to promote its construction. Opened in 1912, it was only the third cableway to be built in the world. In 1972 the cars were updated, growing from a capacity of 22 to 75, and in 1979 it featured in an action scene for the James Bond film Moonraker. Today it is used by approximately 2,500 visitors every day. The cable cars run every 30 minutes, between 8 am and 10 pm.

[9A]

29 October 2014

Lotfia El Nadi's 107th Birthday




Lotfia El Nadi was Egypt's first female pilot. Over her father's objections [and with her mother's help], El Nadi enrolled in Egypt's first aviation school in 1932. Just a couple of months later, at the age of 26, she got her pilot's license.

In 1933, El Nadi became the first Egyptian woman to fly a plane from Cairo to Alexandria — an incredible distance at the time, and an even greater distance in the journey toward equality. "I learned to fly because I love to be free," she said. Her yearning for freedom also took the form of working for women's equality. El Nadi was living proof that women could do and be anything, if they only dared to dream.

[9A]

29 October 2009
Asterix Comic's 50th Anniversary © 2009 Goscinny - Uderzo




Asterix or The Adventures of Asterix is a bande dessinée comic book series about a village of indomitable Gaulish warriors who adventure around the world and fight the Roman Republic, with the aid of a magic potion, during the era of Julius Caesar, in an ahistorical telling of the time after the Gallic Wars. The series first appeared in the Franco-Belgian comic magazine Pilote on 29 October 1959.

[9A]

29 October 2014

Shin Saimdang's 510th Birthday




With a delicate touch, Korean artist and poet Shin Saimdang captivated audiences with her paintings of flowers, butterflies, and landscapes. In recognition of her contributions to Korean culture, Saimdang was selected to appear on the South Korean 50,000 won note, becoming the first woman to have the honor. Today we celebrate what would have been her 510th birthday.

[9A]

29 Oct 2014

Niki de Saint Phalle's 84th Birthday





Niki de Saint Phalle's “Nanas” are taking over our homepage for the French sculptress’s 84th birthday. Inspired by her pregnant friend, the “Nana” sculptures were de Saint Phalle’s artistic rendition of the everyday woman and became a symbol of femininity. After making her first “Nana” house—literally a gigantic figure that people could walk inside–de Saint Phalle described it as a “doll’s house for adults—just big enough to sit and dream in.” Happy 84th birthday to de Saint Phalle!

[9A]

28 October 2021

Kanō Jigorō's 161st birthday





Today’s Doodle, illustrated by Los Angeles, CA-based artist Cynthia Yuan Cheng, celebrates Japan’s “Father of Judo,” Professor Kanō Jigorō, on his 161st birthday. The name Judo means “the gentle way” and the sport is built on principles such as justice, courtesy, safety, and modesty. Kanō saw the martial art as a way to bring people together, even while throwing opponents to the mat.

Born in 1860 in Mikage [now part of Kobe], Kanō moved to Tokyo with his father at age 11. Though he was known as a child prodigy in school, he often faced adversity. To build strength, he became determined to study the martial art of Jujutsu. During his time as a student at Tokyo University, he finally found someone who would teach him—Jujutsu master and former samurai Fukuda Hachinosuke.


Judo was first born during a Jujutsu sparring match when Kanō incorporated a western wrestling move to bring his much larger opponent to the mat. By removing the most dangerous techniques used in Jujutsu, he created “Judo,” a safe and cooperative sport based on Kanō’s personal philosophy of Seiryoku-Zenyo [maximum efficient use of energy] and Jita-Kyoei [mutual prosperity of self and others]. In 1882, Kanō opened his own dojo [a martial arts gym], the Kodokan Judo Institute in Tokyo, where he would go on to develop Judo for years. He also welcomed women into the sport in 1893.

Kanō became the first Asian member of the International Olympic Committee [IOC] in 1909, and in 1960, the IOC approved Judo as an official Olympic sport.

お誕生日おめでとうございます

Happy birthday, Kanō Jigorō!

[9A]

28 October 2018

Simón Rodríguez’s 249th Birthday



Today’s Doodle honors the life and legacy of Simón Rodríguez, a scholar, humanist, philosopher, and educator who traveled the world seeking knowledge, building schools, and working tirelessly to further the principles he held dear.

Born in Caracas, Venezuela on this day in 1771, Rodríguez was a gifted and precocious student, deeply inspired by the works of Jean-Jacques Rousseau, particularly his landmark treatise Emile, or On Education. In 1791 Rodríguez received his first teaching position in Caracas, and three years later presented a critique of the school system as well as a plan for its reform.

The young teacher proposed creating new schools, with well-trained and fairly compensated instructors and incorporating more students of all ethnicities and social backgrounds. Among his students was Simón Bolívar, to whom he became a friend and mentor as well, shaping the sensibilities of the future statesman known throughout South America as El Libertador.

Reunited with his student as an adult, Rodríguez worked alongside Bolívar during his quest to create independent states in Venezuela, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Panama, and the Republic of Bolivia, always focused on the importance of education as a fundamental human right.Within a few years, Rodríguez fled from Venezuela under an assumed name, having provoked the powerful elites with his unwavering dedication and unwillingness to compromise his ideals.

After setting up a what he called a “workshop-school” in Columbia, Rodríguez was summoned to Peru by Bolívar. Rodríguez soon became its “Director for Public Education, Physical and Mathematical Sciences and Arts" as well as "Director of Mines, Agriculture and Public Roads.”

Rodríguez traveled restlessly in search of a place to apply his ideas, living in Peru, Chile, and Ecuador. In 1828 he began publishing Sociedades Americanas, subtitled “how they are and how they should be in the centuries to come.” The work comprised a summary of his ideas about on education, human rights, and citizenship in practice.

Applying in South America the bold educational ideas that transformed Europe, Rodríguez devised innovative methods of childhood education that shaped the future of his homeland for centuries to come.

Happy Birthday, Simón Rodríguez!

[9A]

29 October 2012

Bob Ross' 70th Birthday



For more than a decade, Bob Ross’ The Joy of Painting welcomed viewers into his minimalist tv studio for inspiration and painting tips.

In less time than it takes to get pizza delivered, Bob Ross would paint a sweeping landscape of mountains, lakes, and, of course, happy little trees, clouds, and bushes.

A child when I first discovered the PBS program, it was the antithesis of the vacuous shows and commercials I voraciously consumed on other channels.

The man’s seemingly magical abilities with a brush were mesmerizing – he made painting look so easy! His calm demeanor and relentless optimism put me at ease. And his kind assurances that anyone could do what he did if they believe it and practiced were truly encouraging. [In fact, it was when I got a Bob Ross paint kit for Christmas at age 14 that I realized that I was already on my way to becoming an artist!]

I’ve since learned that painting isn’t easy. But I’m practicing, and it is a joy.
Thank you, Bob Ross!

Posted by Ryan Germick, Doodle Team Lead

[9A]

29 October 1998

Google Beta




Beta, named after the second letter of the Greek alphabet, is the software development phase following alpha. Software in the beta stage is also known as beta ware. A beta phase generally begins when the software is feature complete but likely to contain several known or unknown bugs. Software in the beta phase will generally have many more bugs in it than completed software and speed or performance issues, and may still cause crashes or data loss. The focus of beta testing is reducing impacts on users, often incorporating usability testing.