Google doodles

[9A]

12 September 2022

Gabriela Brimmer's 75th birthday




Today’s Doodle celebrates Mexican-Jewish writer and disability rights activist Gabriela Brimmer on what would have been her 75th birthday. Brimmer made impactful contributions to books and films that authentically portrayed her experience as a person with cerebral palsy, ultimately creating more opportunities for those in the disabled community.

Brimmer was born in Mexico City in 1947 to parents who escaped Nazi Austria. Soon after, her parents learned she had severe cerebral palsy, a muscular disorder that can affect a person's movement, muscle tone and posture. Brimmer’scaregivers taught her to communicate through written words and poetry, as she was nonverbal.

Her left leg and foot, the only part of her body she could move, became her means of communication with the world. As depicted in today’s artwork, she wrote beautiful passages by using a typewriter that she operated with the big toe on her left foot.

Brimmer later teamed up with Mexican novelists and journalists to write three bestselling books that accurately depicted her life. She also worked with producers to repurpose her autobiography into the movie Gaby, a True Story [1987], which won Golden Globes and Oscar nominations.

Brimmer went on to found the Association for the Rights of People with Motor Disabilities and participated in many other organizations that advocated for disability rights and accessibility.

In 2016, the Gaby Brimmer National Center for Rehabilitation and Educational Integration was created in her honor.

Happy birthday, Gabriela Brimmer!

[9A]

30 November 2011

Mark Twain's 176th Birthday







A great writer and humorist, Mark Twain once said, "Against the assault of laughter nothing can stand." His characters are as sincere as they are funny and playful; his work is iconic and a part of literary history. As an author that readers around the world have adored for a century, Mark Twain is a perfect fit for a doodle!

Since Google never likes to take itself too seriously, I wanted to pick a scene from Twain's work that is both recognizable and funny. The fence-painting sequence from The Adventures of Tom Sawyer seemed a perfect fit. Not only does it incorporate a little bit of mischievous humor [painting fences is certainly thrilling!] it also plays cleverly with the white space of the homepage. Alluding to a comic-book format, I drew Tom and Ben working on the fence and, therefore, spreading our famous white space across the doodle.

posted by Jennifer Hom

[9A]

November 30, 2015

Lucy Maud Montgomery’s 141st Birthday




Lucy Maud Montgomery wrote her first novel in 1905. It was rejected by every single publishing house that received it. A few years later, Montgomery tried shopping it again and succeeded. Her story about the adventures of a red-headed girl in Prince Edward Island became a smash hit. That novel ultimately became one of Canada’s most all-time popular books, being translated into around 20 languages and selling more than 50 million copies to date. Anne of Green Gables and its many sequels made Montgomery a wildly successful author and turned PEI into a destination for the book’s thousands of fans.

One of Canada’s most celebrated writers, Montgomery also wrote hundreds of poems and short stories as well as a number of novels apart from the Anne series. She was the first Canadian woman to be made a member of the British Royal Society of Arts and was also appointed an Officer of the Order of the British Empire. Today, on what would have been her 141st birthday, we salute Lucy Maud Montgomery with a Doodle that pays tribute to her most iconic book.

Doodler Olivia When, herself an Anne of Green Gables fan, wanted to honor Montgomery by illustrating several scenes from the beloved novel, including a particularly memorable one in which Anne mistakenly bakes a cake with liniment [a medicated oil] instead of vanilla. Here’s to Anne with an “e” Shirley and her revered creator, Lucy Maud Montgomery.

[9A]

August 30, 2010

Mary Shelley's 213th Birthday




Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley was an English novelist who wrote the Gothic novel Frankenstein; or, The Modern Prometheus [1818], which is considered an early example of science fiction and one of her best-known works.[2] She also edited and promoted the works of her husband, the Romantic poet and philosopher Percy Bysshe Shelley. Her father was the political philosopher William Godwin and her mother was the philosopher and women's rights advocate Mary Wollstonecraft.

[9A]

July 21, 2022

Jovelina Pérola Negra's 78th Birthday


Jovelina Pérola Negra’s deep, swinging voice and graceful improvisations revolutionized Brazil’s samba dance movement in the 1980s. Today’s Doodle, illustrated by Rio De Janeiro-based guest artist La Minna, celebrates the singer-songwriter’s 78th birthday.

Pérola Negra was born as Jovelina Faria Belfort in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil and grew up singing and dancing samba in the Belford Roxo neighborhood. Her friend suggested the stage name Jovelina Pérola Negra [meaning “black pearl” in Portuguese] because it suited her radiant complexion and elegant voice.

Until age 40, Pérola Negra worked as a housemaid and spent her free time attending Império Serrano, a celebrated samba school in Rio de Janeiro. She regularly sang at community samba parties called pagodes in the working-class suburbs of Rio de Janeiro.

After a local producer discovered her at a pagode, Pérola Negra received the opportunity to record her first album, Raca Brasileira, with other newly discovered artists. The singers all performed the Partido Alto subgenre of samba, a style that offers vocal improvisation and singalong opportunities for the audience. Pérola Negra lent her singing and songwriting skills to three compositions on Raca Brasileira. It was wildly successful and the record label, RGE, hired Negra to record her first solo album.

Pérola Negra released her self-titled debut album to further acclaim. The song arrangements supported her emotional vocals with a cavaquinho, a Portuguese stringed instrument that resembles a ukulele—like the ones pictured in today’s Doodle. She released four more individual albums in the prime of her career, experimenting with different genres, like the slower-paced samba-canção, and earning a platinum record. Pérola Negra performed around the world in Angola, France and Japan before passing away from a heart attack at age 54.

The Brazilian Ministry of Culture awarded Pérola Negra the Order of Cultural Merit in 2016. A community center located in the Pavuna neighborhood in Rio de Janeiro was also named in her honor. Today, her music can be found on streaming platforms and in record stores all over the world.

Happy 78th birthday, Jovelina Pérola Negra!

[9A]

3 Dec 2014

Anna Freud's 119th Birthday







Take a peek inside the mind of psychoanalyst Anna Freud for her 119th birthday. As the daughter of famed neurologist Sigmund Freud, Anna followed her father’s footsteps into the field and is recognized as the founder of psychoanalytic child psychology.

[9A]

July 21, 2012

Belgium National Day 2012




Belgian National Day [Dutch: Nationale feestdag van België; French: Fête nationale belge; German: Belgischer Nationalfeiertag] is the national holiday of Belgium commemorated annually on 21 July. It is one of the country's ten public holidays and marks the anniversary of the investiture of Leopold I as the first King of the Belgians in 1831.

[9A]

July 21, 2017

Belgium National Day 2017




On this day, Belgium commemorates the inauguration of King Leopold I, the first King of the Belgians. Leopold of 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.

Our Doodle, illustrated by KHUAN+KTRON, takes us on a joyful tour of Belgium’s iconic Flemish and Wallonian landmarks and sights, from the Royal Palace in Brussels, where Leopold I was sworn in, to the Sint-Truiden, known for its blossoming fruit trees, to Antwerp Cathedral and the Pairi Daiza zoo, home of the giant panda, with stops along the way for such Belgian treats as frieten [fries], cheese and chocolate.

Happy birthday, Belgium!

[9A]

July 21, 2022

Belgium National Day 2022




Today’s Doodle celebrates Belgium’s National Day! On this day in 1831, Leopold I swore allegiance to the constitution and took the oath as king. Although Belgium became an independent nation the previous year in 1830, this holiday commemorates the country’s first king.

After the Napoleonic Wars, the Netherlands annexed Belgium. Between August and October of 1830, Belgians across multiple revolutionary factions united to oust the Dutch. In November, after Dutch forces withdrew from the country, the National Congress declared Belgium a constitutional monarchy and elected Prince Leopold of Saxe-Coburg-Gotha, a German aristocrat, as its first rightful ruler.

Every year, several events are held to honor Belgium’s Independence. After the king makes a televised speech, festivities usually start with the Te Deum hymn at the Cathedral of St. Michael and St. Gudula in Brussels. The royal family then attends the National Day ceremony at the Place de Palais, where a grand parade takes place.

Firework shows, free concerts and flyovers by the Belgian Air Force are also enjoyed by the people. And it wouldn’t be a proper celebration without some crispy and delicious frites, fried to perfection and served with a variety of sauces and condiments. Many frites stands—friterie [French] or frietkot [Flemish]—like the one in today’s Doodle, can be found throughout the country on National Day. In fact, there’s even a museum in Bruges, Belgium called the Frietmuseum dedicated entirely to celebrating frites!

Happy National Day, Belgium!

[9A]

May 27, 2022

Celebrating Jimmy Little






Today’s Doodle illustrated by guest artist Dixon Patten—a traditional descendant from the Gunnai, Yorta Yorta, Gunditjmara, and Dhuduroa people—celebrates Indigenous Australian singer-songwriter, guitarist, actor, and advocate Dr. James “Jimmy” Oswald Little. Over an illustrious 60-year career, Little championed the music, health, and education of Indigenous Australian communities as a cultural ambassador and musical sensation. On this day in 2003, Little was awarded the Red Ochre Award for his lifelong contribution to the recognition of Indigenous arts in Australia and around the world.

James Oswald Little was born to a Yorta Yorta mother and Yuin Monaro Father in 1937, on the Cummeragunja Mission Station, an Indigenous Australian reserve located in New South Wales. in 1955, Little left home to pursue his dreams of becoming a musician in Sydney. His recording career began the following year, and his breakout hit song “Royal Telephone” became the first song by an Indigenous Australian to hit number one on the pop music charts in 1963.

“Royal Telephone” sold over 75,000 copies—a platinum achievement by today’s standards that earned him the title of Australian Pop Star of the Year in 1964. Little also began acting during this era and became a household name through national tours, radio playtime, and TV appearances into the 1970s. By the 1980s, Little began to use his influence to mentor Indigenous youth and advocate for literacy and health programs throughout the rest of his career.

Little’s reinterpretations of contemporary hits released on over 29 albums earned him the title of one of the founding fathers of Australian country music, an achievement honored by his induction into Tamworth’s Country Music Roll of Renown. For his lifetime of advocacy for Indigenous peoples in Australia, he earned three honorary doctorates and was named a National Living Treasure. Today, his legacy lives on through the work of the Jimmy Little Foundation, an organisation he founded in 2006 with the aim of promoting health, education, and access to opportunity in Indigenous Australian communities.

Special thanks to the family of Jimmy Little for their partnership on this project. Below, his family reflects on Little’s life, legacy, and today’s Doodle:

Jimmy was a celebrated and beloved Australian Aboriginal musician, actor and advocate whose career spanned six decades. A Yorta Yorta man, he was born on Cummeragunja Mission but grew up on the south coast of NSW, from Nowra to Wallaga Lake. Jimmy recorded his first single in 1956 and rose to prominence as an Aboriginal entertainer throughout the 1960s, topped the charts and became a household name with “Royal Telephone” in 1963. In 1999, Jimmy received an ARIA award for Adult Contemporary album with Messenger, which reached the top 10 of the alternative music charts, introducing Jimmy to a new, younger audience. That same year, Jimmy was inducted into the ARIA Australian Music Hall of Fame.

Throughout his illustrious career Jimmy received every major Australian music industry award, plus three honorary doctorates. Jimmy was the recipient of the National Aboriginal Day of Observance Committee’s 'Aboriginal of the Year' award in 1989, was named NSW Senior Australian of the Year in 2002, and received the Australia Council’s Red Ochre Award in 2004. He was awarded an AO [Order of Australia] for his continued work with Indigenous Health and Education programs, and in 2004, a public vote named him “a living Australian treasure.” Jimmy was the patron of The Indigenous Doctors Association of Australia, an ambassador for The Fred Hollows Foundation and Kidney Health Australia. Dr. Little was also an ambassador for literacy and numeracy with the Federal Department of Education Science and Training In 2006 Jimmy founded the Jimmy Little Foundation to improve renal health across Indigenous communities in regional and remote Australia.

—Frances Peters-Little [daughter]


"I just want people to remember me as a nice person who was fair-minded and had a bit of talent that put it to good use."

—Jimmy Little



Jimmy Little at his first recording at EMI Records in 1956
Courtesy of the Jimmy Little Foundation




Jimmy Little drinking water while completing work for the Jimmy Little Foundation
Courtesy of the Jimmy Little’s Family

[9A]

October 24, 2022

Celebrating Slim Dusty


Slim Dusty was an Australian singer and songwriter who recorded over 100 albums and sold over seven million copies during a career spanning nearly seven decades. Today’s Doodle celebrates the Australian icon being awarded the Outstanding Achievement award at the ARIA music awards in 2000.


Born David Kirkpatrick in Kempsey, New South Wales, and raised on his family farm in nearby Nulla Nulla Creek, as a little boy he dreamed of being a country singer. At the age of 10, he wrote his very first song, “The Way the Cowboy Dies”, and at 11, decided his future name was to be “Slim Dusty”, much better suited to a singing cowboy.

At age 15, Slim made his first recording, paying for it himself. By sending his records to radio, and singing where he could get a hearing, he eventually signed a recording contract with Columbia Graphophone Records where he remained for the rest of his career.

He left the farm to follow music as a full-time career in 1949, performing at venues, rodeos, local concerts and eventually, in 1954, taking the big step of setting out with his small family and at times other fellow singers to tour the Australian countryside over roads good and bad. This took him to every State and Territory in Australia on what eventually became his famous Round Australia tours covering by car and caravans at least 30,000 road miles across 10 months of the year. He continued writing, collecting and recording the songs that became known as Bush Ballads, musical histories of the people and places in the Australian bush, little towns and the outback of Australia.

In 1957, he released his recording of “A Pub with No Beer”, written by his mate, Gordon Parsons. It became the best-selling song recorded by an Australian, and Slim was awarded the first Gold Record presented in Australia.

In 1983, astronauts in the spaceship Columbia beamed Slim’s voice singing “Waltzing Matilda” to earth as they passed over Australia. Slim was the first singer to have his voice sent to earth from space. He performed the same song as the closing act of the Sydney Olympic Games in 2000.

Slim Dusty won multiple Gold and Platinum record awards and 38 Golden Guitars. Amongst numerous awards, including being voted A National Treasure by the Australian public, Slim was one of the first inductions into the Australian Recording Industry Association [ARIA] Hall of Fame. In tribute to Slim, The Royal Australian Mint issued a coin celebrating his life, and the Slim Dusty Centre and Museum in his hometown of Kempsey opened in 2015.




Photographed: Slim Dusty at the Carlton Hill Station Cattle Yard [Kimberley, WA].

[9A]

November 1, 2022

Celebrating Indigenous North American Stickball


In celebration of US Native American Heritage Month, today’s Doodle celebrates Indigenous North American stickball, a ceremonial sport invented by Native American tribes. The artwork was illustrated by Saint Paul-based artist, Marlena Myles who is a member of the Spirit Lake Dakota/Mohegan/Muscogee tribe.

Stickball is known as one of North America’s oldest team sports. Several Native American tribes such as the Cherokee, Chickasaw, Choctaw, Seminole and Yuchi were known to play. Elder tribal leaders often organized games of stickball to settle disputes without violence.

A Cherokee tale describes the first-ever Stickball game played between land animals and birds. The land animals, including a bear, deer and turtle, were overly confident and predicted they’d win through sheer strength. Meanwhile, the team of birds relied on flight, speed and cunning to outsmart and outmaneuver their opponents. In the end, the birds were victorious.

Stickball is played using sticks [varying in length], with a net on one end. Two teams try to pass and move the ball towards their opponent’s goalpost, and points are scored by touching or hitting said post. The most important rule: don’t touch the ball with your hands. To this day, various tribes continue to play their own versions of Stickball. The sport still follows its ceremonial traditions, and is a staple in Native American culture. A little known fact is that modern day field lacrosse actually originated from the game of Stickball, which is played widely today.

Today’s Doodle artwork focuses on telling the story of Stickball, blending traditions around the game and the modern way it is played. The style is inspired by traditional ledger art [narrative drawing or painting on paper or cloth] and intentionally includes women and men of various ages to portray the inclusivity of the sport. The art also depicts gameplay of three different versions of stickball, including the ceremonial pregame practice of sage smudging [an ancient Native American practice of burning dried plants] as seen in the “G” letter formation.

Guest Artist Marlena Myles

[9A]

8 January 2022

Stephen Hawking's 80th birthday





Today’s video Doodle celebrates one of history’s most influential scientific minds, English cosmologist, author, and theoretical physicist Stephen Hawking. From colliding black holes to the Big Bang, his theories on the origins and mechanics of the universe revolutionized modern physics while his best-selling books made the field widely accessible to millions of readers worldwide.

Stephen William Hawking was born on this day in 1942 in Oxford, England. Fascinated by how the universe functioned from a young age, his curiosity and intellect earned him the nickname “Einstein.” Following a diagnosis with a neurodegenerative disease at 21, the music of composer Richard Wagner and the loving support of his future wife Jane Wilde motivated Hawking to dedicate himself to physics, math, and cosmology.

In 1965, Hawking defended his doctoral thesis at the University of Cambridge, “Properties of Expanding Universes,” which presented the revolutionary theory that space and time originated from a singularity, a point both infinitely small and dense, best known today as the key characteristic of black holes. That year, Hawking was accepted as a research fellow at Cambridge’s Gonville and Caius College—his academic home for a lifetime of research. Hawking’s obsession with black holes led to his 1974 discovery that particles could escape black holes. This theory, coined Hawking radiation, is widely considered his most important contribution to physics.

In 1979, Hawking’s groundbreaking work on black holes prompted Cambridge to appoint him as the Lucasian Professor of Mathematics, a position held by Isaac Newton in 1669. Hawking’s doctoral thesis was released to the public in 2017 on a University of Cambridge website, which crashed due to enormous amounts of traffic.

Here’s to an innovator whose astronomical impact changed how the world understands the universe!

[9A]

November 1, 2004

Melbourne Cup 2004

The Melbourne Cup is a Thoroughbred horse race held in Melbourne, Australia. It is a 3200-metre race for three-year-olds and older, 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".

[9A]

January 25, 2022

Giorgio Gaber's 83rd Birthday


Today’s Doodle celebrates the 83rd birthday of Italian singer-songwriter, playwright, and performer Giorgio Gaber. He is best known and remembered as a pioneer of teatro canzone [theater song], a reflection of Milanese society captured through the fusion of music, poetry, and theater.

Born into a musical family in Milan, Italy on this day in 1939, Giorgio Gaberscik first developed a love for music while playing the guitar as therapy for a hand injury. He later learned to sing, and in his early twenties, Gaber co-produced Italy’s first rock ’n’ roll song—Ciao ti dirò [“Ciao, I will tell you”]. During the 1960s, Gaber primarily performed on television, where his purposeful and entertaining songwriting enraptured audiences by intelligently engaging with Milan’s changing cultural landscape.

In 1969, he released Com'è bella la città [How Beautiful the City Is], which remains among his best known works for its focus on contemporary social concerns. To establish a more personal connection with audiences, Gaber transitioned almost exclusively to the theater stage in 1970. His emotional and complex theatrical performances examined Italian society and encouraged an introspective national dialogue.

Over the next 30 years, Gaber refined the teatro canzone medium with hundreds of shows per year. This monumental oeuvre demonstrated that music, monologues, and comedy were tools to expand one’s emotional limits while reflecting on shared national realities. In honor of Gaber’s contributions, a historical Milanese opera house was reopened under his name as the Teatro Lirico Giorgio Gaber in 2003.

[9A]

June 6, 2022

Angelo Moriondo's 171st Birthday




Once upon a time, in 19th century Italy, coffee was the hottest item around. Unfortunately, brewing methods required customers to wait over five minutes to get their drink. Enter Angelo Moriondo, the man who patented the first known espresso machine. Today’s Doodle celebrates his 171st birthday.

Moriondo was born on June 6, 1851 in Turin, Italy to a family of entrepreneurs who never stopped brewing new ideas or projects. His grandfather founded a liquor production company that was passed down to his son [Angelo’s father], who himself would later build the popular chocolate company, “Moriondo and Gariglio” alongside his brother and cousin.

Following in his family’s footsteps, Moriondo purchased two establishments: the Grand-Hotel Ligure in the city-center Piazza Carlo Felice and the American Bar in the Galleria Nazionale of Via Roma. Despite coffee’s popularity in Italy, the time spent waiting for coffee to brew inconvenienced customers. Moriondo figured that making multiple cups of coffee at once would allow him to serve more customers at a faster pace, giving him an edge over his competitors.

After directly supervising a mechanic he enlisted to build his invention, Moriondo presented his espresso machine at the General Expo of Turin in 1884, where it was awarded the bronze medal. The machine consisted of a large boiler that pushed heated water through a bed of coffee grounds, with a second boiler producing steam that would flash the bed of coffee and complete the brew. He received a patent titled,"New steam machinery for the economic and instantaneous confection of coffee beverage, method ‘A. Moriondo’." Moriondo continued to improve and patent his invention in the following years.

Happy 171st birthday, Angelo Moriondo. Today, coffee lovers sip in tribute to the godfather of espresso machines.

Check out the behind-the-scenes process for
today’s Doodle artwork by Doodler, Olivia When




Timelapse of the Doodle’s creation

This Doodle was painted entirely with coffee!

[9A]

June 6, 2022

Fasia Jansen's 93rd Birthday


Today’s Doodle, illustrated by Hamburg-based guest artist Ayşe Klinge, celebrates the 93rd birthday of Fasia Jansen—an influential Afro-German singer, songwriter and political activist who helped advance the post-war peace movement in West Germany.

Jansen was born on this day in Hamburg in 1929, at a time when racism, inflation and economic depression plagued the country. Aspiring to become a dance star, Jansen joined a dance academy at age 11. But her dreams were thwarted two years later when the academy expelled her out of fear that the Nazis would punish the school for accepting Black students.

Soon after, she was forced to cook for the Neuengamme concentration camp. Under the Nazis’ Dienstverpflichtung decree, which required people to perform a year of unpaid labor, most young girls could work easier jobs in domestic households. But as a Black girl, her only option was to toil in a concentration camp.

It was in the Neuengamme concentration camp that Jansen began singing with political prisoners who worked tirelessly beside her. Singing together helped them survive this traumatic period. After the horrors of World War II, Jansen dedicated her life to creating powerful music to protest injustices everywhere — from the Vietnam War to labor violations in the Ruhr Valley. Jansen also became a strong advocate for the Women’s Rights Movements in Germany and beyond.

She became famous in the 1960s, after performing Unser Marsch ist eine gute Sache [Our March is a Good Thing] alongside the renowned singer Dieter Süverkrüp during the Easter March in resistance to the nuclear arms race. Her song Verbrannte Erde in Deutschland [“Burnt Earth in Germany”], became an important anthem for the anti-nuclear movement in Europe.

In 1991, the government awarded her the medal Verdienstkreuz der Bundesrepublik Deutschland, recognizing her work to rebuild a more equitable Germany. Today, there is a street, a municipal school and an African education center named in her honor.

Happy 93rd birthday, Fasia Jansen! No one could stop you from spreading hope. Your story and legacy give people a reason to sing.

[9A]

June 6, 2012

79th Anniversary of the First Drive-in Movie





A partial drive-in theater—Theatre de Guadalupe—was opened in Las Cruces, New Mexico, on April 23, 1915. The first movie shown by the Theatre de Guadalupe was Bags of Gold, produced by Siegmund Lubin. Theatre de Guadalupe soon was renamed De Lux Theater before closing in July 1916.

In 1921, a drive-in was opened by Claude V. Caver in Comanche, Texas. Caver obtained a permit from the city to project films downtown. With cars parked bumper-to-bumper, patrons witnessed the screening of silent films from their vehicles. In the 1920s, "outdoor movies" became a popular summer entertainment, but relatively few "drive-in" experiments were made due to logistical difficulties.

After 1945 rising car ownership and suburban and rural population led to a boom in drive-in theaters, with hundreds being opened each year. More couples were reunited and having children, resulting in the Baby Boom, and more cars were being purchased following the end of wartime fuel rationing. By 1951, the number of drive-in movie theaters in the United States had increased from its 1947 total of 155 to 4,151.

Beginning in the late 1960s, drive-in attendance began to decline as the result of improvements and changes to home entertainment, from color television and cable TV, to VCRs and video rental in the early 1980s. Additionally, the 1970s energy crisis led to the widespread adoption of daylight saving time [which caused drive-in movies to start an hour later] and lower use of automobiles, making it increasingly difficult for drive-ins to remain profitable.

[9A]

June 6, 2014

Honinbo Shusaku's 185th Birthday





Today in Japan and other countries, we’re marking the 185th birthday of Honinbo Shusaku, widely considered to be one of the greatest players of the ancient Chinese board game Go. Shusaku rose to prominence during Go’s golden age in the 19th century and is known for his perfection of the Shusaku opening, which is depicted in our doodle.

[9A]

January 18, 2023

Sachio Kinugasa’s 76th Birthday



Today’s Doodle celebrates the 76th birthday of Japanese baseball player Sachio Kinugasa. He broke the record for most consecutive baseball games played in 1987 and held it for nine more years.

On this day in 1947, Kinugasa was born in Kyoto, Japan, to a Japanese mother and an African American father, and as a young boy, he was taunted for being mixed race.

He began playing baseball at Heian Buddhist high school and gained popularity as an infielder in the national high school tournament. In 1965, he was signed to the Hiroshima Carp baseball team. He was part of the starting lineup a few years later as third basemen and was a consistent hitter with around 15 home runs a year for 20+ years.

Kinugasa was dedicated to the sport and played a record-breaking 2,215 games in a row even sometimes with fractured bones. To him, it was more painful to miss a game than to play a game while injured, earning him the nickname Tetsujin [Iron Man]. While he is best known for his consecutive game streak, Kinugasa was a well-rounded player who ranks seventh in career home runs with a grand total of 504, fifth in career hits and tenth in career runs batted in. In 1975, he helped the Carp win their first ever league championship.

He received many awards for his athletic performance. Kinugasa was named Central League MVP in 1984 for winning the Japanese championship series. He was inducted into the Japanese Baseball Hall of Fame in 1996 and became the second baseball player to receive the People’s Honor Award, given for accomplishments in sports and entertainment, from the Prime Minister of Japan. A lifetime lover of the game, Kinugasa became a baseball announcer for TBS after retiring from the Carp.

Happy birthday to a baseball player who stole countless bases and hearts, Sachio Kinugasa!

[9A]

June 8, 2023

Yukie Chiri's 120th Birthday




Today’s Doodle celebrates the 120th birthday of Ainu translator, Yukie Chiri and was illustrated by guest artist Yumi Koizumi. The Ainu are an Indigenous group of people that live in the northern regions of Japan. When they were forced to relocate and assimilate into Japanese culture during the early 1900s, Chiri created an anthology of Ainu epic tales, called yukar, to ensure their stories and culture were properly preserved.

Chiri was born on this day in 1903 in Noboribetsu City, Hokkaido during a time when the Ainu people were being forced to adopt traditional Japanese values. As a girl, she was sent to live with her aunt in Asahikawa and learned both Japanese and Ainu. She was a gifted student and excelled in language arts.

When she was a teenager, Chiri met a Japanese linguist named Kyōsuke Kindaiachi who was working to record Ainu folklore and traditions. She decided to dedicate the rest of her life to transcribing and translating yukar and eventually created an anthology, Ainu Shinyōshū [or A Collection of the Ainu Epics of the Gods]. This was an especially difficult task since yukar are oral works meant to be chanted.

Because of Chiri’s work, many readers started to respect the Ainu culture. Today, many still reference Chiri’s anthology as the primary reputable source for Ainu traditions and culture.

Happy birthday Yukie Chiri!

[9A]

10 June 2023

Portugal National Day 2023




Today’s Doodle celebrates Portugal Day, known officially as Dia de Camões, de Portugal e das Comunidades Portuguesas [Day of Camões, Portugal, and the Portuguese Communities]. Portugal observes National Day not on the day it declared independence from Spain, but instead on a day that honors an influential Portuguese poet, Luís de Camões. In honor of the country, traditional Portuguese tiles are featured in today's Doodle artwork.

His epic poem, Os Lusíadas [The Lusiads], is considered a paramount work of literature and describes Portuguese voyages and explorations during the 15th and 16th centuries. Legend has it that on one of Camões’s own adventures, a ship sank and he swam one-handed to shore, holding the poem above the water with his other hand.

The first Portugal Day celebration took place in 1880 and it became a national holiday in 1919. Official festivities are held in a different Portuguese city each year with parades of marching bands, baton twirlers, and military troops. Orchestras play patriotic music, and fireworks illuminate the sky as night falls. And recently, another formal celebration is held in a foreign city to include Portuguese communities across the world in the commemoration of the nation's history, culture, and achievements

Happy National Day, Portugal!

[9A]

10 June 2015

Portugal National Day 2015


For this year’s official Dia de Portugal celebration, we are honoring the calçada portuguesa: the iconic Portuguese pavement style where small, flat black & white tiles are hand-laid into intricate designs. The calçada can be found in most cities in Portugal.

Illustrated by guest artist, Ana Ramírez.

[9A]

6 November 2022

Sophia de Mello Breyner Andresen's 103rd birthday



“When I die I will return to seek

The moments I did not live by the sea.”

-Poem by Sophia de Mello Breyner which inspired the Doodle artwork

Today's Doodle celebrates the 103rd birthday of Sophia de Mello Breyner Andresen, an acclaimed Portuguese poet. She was the first woman to earn the Camões Prize, the highest Portuguese honor for poetry. Throughout her career, she published 14 acclaimed volumes of poetry and several short stories, children’s books and essays.

Sophia was born on this day in 1919 in Porto, Portugal. She was raised by wealthy parents and a nanny who, at Sophia’s request, often read poetry and fiction aloud. Long before she could read, Sophia delighted her family by reciting the works of 16th-century poets. By age 12, she was avidly reading Homer.

In 1936, Sophia enrolled at the University of Lisbon and studied classical philology. She was particularly drawn to Greek civilization, and often explored Greek mythical figures, motifs and places in her writing. After taking some college courses, Sophia returned to Porto to write poetry and stories.

Sophia published her first book, “Poesia” [[Poetry) in 1944. Her poetry often explored themes like existentialism and individualism. After marrying and starting a family, Sophia began to focus on societal issues that would affect her children. Her second and third volumes of work, particularly poems like "Livro Sexto,” shone a spotlight on corruption and injustice.

In the 1950s, Sophia became interested in children’s books and released O rapaz de bronze [The Bronze Boy]. She wrote nine more books while experimenting with short stories during this time. Later in her career, she published her most acclaimed poetry, Dual and O nome das coisas [The Name of Things] — and went on to win the Max Jacob Poetry Prize and the Rainha Sofia Prize for Ibero-American Poetry. Today, poetry lovers can find her work online and in bookstores around the world.

[9A]

26 July 2016

Maria Severa Onofriana's 196th Birthday



A legend in her native Lisbon, Maria Severa Onofriana, known simply as Severa, is remembered as the voice that brought fado into popular culture. By performing at taverns across the Alfama district, she helped spread this expressive style of music in the 1830s and 40s.

Often somber in tone, fado [which translates roughly to “fate”] is a lyrical ode to the trials of everyday life. Although Severa told many of these tales through her songs, very little is actually known about her life. For that reason, the singer’s story has been reimagined many times in music, theater, and film.

Today’s Doodle is yet another take on the famous fadista. Donning her signature dark shawl, Severa plays the “Portuguese blues” as we celebrate her contributions to music on what would have been her 196th birthday.

[9A]

July 26, 2022

Celebrating Steelpan






Today’s Doodle, illustrated by Trinidad & Tobago-based artist Nicholas Huggins, celebrates the steelpan, a percussion instrument made of metal, created and influenced by Trinbagonians. It’s the only acoustic instrument invented in the twentieth century, but has origins dating back to the 1700’s. It was a staple during Carnival and Canboulay, the annual harvest festivals celebrated in Trinidad, and is still used in contemporary music. On this day in 1951, the Trinidad All-Steel Pan Percussion Orchestra [TASPO] performed at the Festival of Britain, introducing the steelpan and a new music genre to the world.

When enslaved Africans were brought to Trinidad by colonialists in the 1700’s, they brought over their African heritage and traditions of rhythmic drumming with them. When slavery was abolished between 1834 and 1838, Trinidadians joined in on Carnival festivities with their drums. However in 1877, government officials banned their drumming because they feared that the drumming would be used to send messages that would inspire rebellion. In protest of this ban, musicians started to pound tuned bamboo tubes on the ground as alternatives to mimic the sound of their drums. These ensembles were called Tamboo Bamboo bands.

Another ban came in 1930, when rival Tamboo Bamboo bands would cause disturbances during Carnival and other street festivals. These bands then looked to a new alternative to carry their rhythm: metal objects such as car parts, paint pots, dustbins, biscuit tins and thus the idea of the pan was born.

During World War II, Carnival was forbidden due to security reasons, and musicians began experimenting with the unique instrument to improve the sound quality. Overtime, dents were hammered into the surface of these objects, which played different notes depending on the size, position and shape. In 1948, after the war ended, the musicians switched to using the 55 gallon oil drums discarded by the oil refineries. In addition to changing the shape of the drum surface, they found that changing the length of the drum allowed complete scales from bass to soprano. This formed the basis for the modern version of the pan. The steelpan grew and developed into a legitimate instrument through the likes of pioneers and innovators such as Winston “Spree” Simon, Ellie Mannette, Anthony Williams and Bertie Marshall. Many of their innovations and techniques are still used today.

The steelpan is now the national instrument of Trinidad and Tobago, and is a source of great pride and true resilience for its citizens. Steelpans are now enjoyed in concert calls like Royal Albert Hall, Carnegie Hall, the Kennedy Center and more. Whether in the UK or Japan, Senegal or the States, the steelpan is an internationally recognized instrument that reminds listeners of its island origins.

Today’s Doodle was illustrated by Trinidad & Tobago-based guest artist Nicholas Huggins and composed by Miami-based musician Etienne Charles.

[9A]

28 May 2021

Celebrating Carolina Beatriz Ângelo


Today’s Doodle, illustrated by Belgium-based guest artist Fatinha Ramos, celebrates Portuguese physician and activist Carolina Beatriz Ângelo, who dedicated her life to the fight for the equal treatment of women and children. On this day in 1911, Ângelo found a loophole in Portuguese law that enabled her to cast her vote in the year’s elections of the Constituent Assembly, becoming the first female voter in the history of Portugal.

Born in Guarda, Portugal, on April 6, 1878, Carolina Beatriz Ângelo went on to receive her doctorate with a specialization in gynecology at the Lisbon Medical-Surgical School. Earnest and determined, she became the first woman to perform surgery at Lisbon’s São José Hospital, breaking down gender barriers with each cut and stitch. The impact of her historic accomplishments was not limited to just the operating room.

In 1906, she worked alongside the Portuguese Committee of the French Association, the first of many groups Ângelo collaborated with to help build a better Portugal. The following year, Ângelo joined forces with the Portuguese Group of Feminist Studies, where she worked closely with renowned figures of the nation’s burgeoning movement for gender equality. Her efforts to improve society peaked in 1911 when she founded the Portuguese Association of Feminist Propaganda, a key force in the fight for rights of Portuguese women and children.

That same year, Ângelo became the first woman to vote in the Portuguese parliamentary election. Although women’s suffrage wasn’t granted in Portugal until decades later, Ângelo’s formidable legacy of advocating for equality is felt at Portuguese ballot boxes to this day.

Thank you, Carolina Beatriz Ângelo, for the great strides you’ve made for a more equitable future.

[9A]

28 May 2023

Celebrating Evelyn Ruth Scott AO



Today’s Doodle celebrates Indigenous Australian social activist, educator, and campaigner, Evelyn Ruth Scott AO. During National Reconciliation Week, we honor Evelyn who fought tirelessly for Indigenous rights. On this day in the year 2000, Evelyn led the Corroboree 2000 — the largest gathering of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander and non-Indigenous leaders in Australian history — and Walk for Reconciliation. Today’s Doodle was illustrated by Indigenous guest artist, Samantha Campbell, who descended from the Dagoman people from Katherine.

Evelyn was born in Ingham, Queensland in 1935. Her life of activism started in the 1960s, when she was denied a wedding dress because of her racial identity. Evelyn joined the Townsville Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Advancement League and became actively involved in the 1967 Constitutional ‘Yes’ Referendum, a decade-long campaign to include all Indigenous Australians in population counts — 90% of Australians voted in favor.

Fueled by the campaign’s success, she joined the Federal Council for the Advancement of Aborigines and Torres Strait Islanders as Vice President and was eventually named its first general secretary. Evelyn also became Chair of the Council for Aboriginal Reconciliation in 1997. Three years later, she led more than 250,000 people in the Corroboree 2000 and Walk for Reconciliation across the Sydney Harbour Bridge in demand of an official apology for years of neglect towards the Indigenous population. Eight years later, the Prime Minister gave that apology.

Evelyn played a significant role in helping unite all of Australia and paved the way for future generations of Indigenous people. Her inspiring contributions were recognized with countless awards and accolades: the Queen’s Jubilee Medal in 1977, the Centenary Medal in 2001, the Queensland Greats Award in 2003, and many more. A monument in Parkes, ACT was raised in her memory, and a school in her name still operates in the same area today.

Thank you, Evelyn Ruth Scott AO for being an unwavering leader in reconciliation efforts. This year’s National Reconciliation Theme, ‘Be a Voice for Generations’, encourages all Australians to use their collective voices and uplift the rich history, culture, and future of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

[9A]

28 May 2022

Chiquito de la Calzada's 90th Birthday



Today’s Doodle by guest artist José Antonio Roda Martínez celebrates Chiquito de la Calzada, a Spanish singer, actor, and stand-up comedian who left a lasting cultural impact in Spain. Born as Gregorio Esteban Sánchez Fernández on this day in 1932, Chiquito’s brilliant comedic style has widely influenced Spanish comedians and entertainers to this day.

As children, Fernández and his two brothers grew up in poverty in post-Civil War Spain in La Calzada de la Trinidad. He began singing and dancing flamenco at eight years old to help feed his family. During this time he received his stage name, Chiquito de la Calzada.

Fernández spent most of his adult life performing flamenco throughout Spain and abroad. After spending 54 years in the flamenco industry, his life took an unexpected turn when he crossed paths with a television producer named Tomás Summers at a restaurant.

After overhearing Fernández tell jokes at a nearby table, Summers offered him a part in an upcoming comedy show airing on Antena 3, a major Spanish television station. The new show was called Genio y figura, and the production team thought Summers was making a mistake by casting an unknown 62-year-old man. Summers took a chance on Fernández anyway and he was sure glad he did.

Soon after the show aired, Fernández transformed into an instant star. Spaniards from all walks of life found his comedic timing, clever puns, and exaggerated movements irresistibly funny. Over the next two decades, Fernández developed an original comedic style that continues to influence Spanish comedians and TV characters today.

In 2019, the Ministry of Culture of Spain recognized his cultural impact by awarding him a Medalla de Oro al mérito en las Bellas Artes [Gold Medal of Merit in Fine Arts].

Happy birthday, Chiquito de la Calzada!

[9A]

21 June 2021

Father's Day 2021 [21 June]



The single most common date among world countries is the third Sunday of June, which was founded in the state of Washington, United States, by Sonora Smart Dodd in 1910. The day is held on various dates across the world, and different regions maintain their own traditions of honoring fatherhood.

[9A]

31 May 2009

150th Anniversary of Big Ben


Big Ben is the nickname for the Great Bell of the striking clock at the north end of the Palace of Westminster in London, England, although the name is frequently extended to refer also to the clock and the clock tower. The official name of the tower in which Big Ben is located was originally the Clock Tower, but it was renamed Elizabeth Tower in 2012, to mark the Diamond Jubilee of Elizabeth II.

The tower was designed by Augustus Pugin in a neo-Gothic style. When completed in 1859, its clock was the largest and most accurate four-faced striking and chiming clock in the world. The tower stands 316 feet [96 m] tall, and the climb from ground level to the belfry is 334 steps. Its base is square, measuring 40 feet [12 m] on each side. Dials of the clock are 22.5 feet [6.9 m] in diameter. All four nations of the UK are represented on the tower on shields featuring a rose for England, thistle for Scotland, shamrock for Northern Ireland, and leek for Wales. On 31 May 2009, celebrations were held to mark the tower's 150th anniversary.

Big Ben is the largest of the tower's five bells and weighs 13.5 long tons. It was the largest bell in the United Kingdom for 23 years. The origin of the bell's nickname is open to question; it may be named after Sir Benjamin Hall, who oversaw its installation, or heavyweight boxing champion Benjamin Caunt. Four quarter bells chime at 15, 30 and 45 minutes past the hour and just before Big Ben tolls on the hour. The clock uses its original Victorian mechanism, but an electric motor can be used as a backup.

The tower is a British cultural icon recognised all over the world. It is one of the most prominent symbols of the United Kingdom and parliamentary democracy, and it is often used in the establishing shot of films set in London. The clock tower has been part of a Grade I listed building since 1970 and a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1987.

[9A]

11 June 2023

Father's Day 2023 [11 June] [Multiple countries]





Father's Day google doodle was shown on the google home page in multiple countries.

[9A]

11 June 2022

Francesca Sanna Sulis's 306th birthday




Today’s Doodle celebrates the 306th birthday of Donna Francesca Sanna Sulis. She was an Italian fashion designer who defied gender stereotypes in the 18th century by building a highly successful business. Known as the Mulberry Woman, she used mulberry silk to design exquisite dresses for notable women across Europe.

Sulis was born on this day in 1716 in southern Sardinia, an island in the Mediterranean Sea. Growing up on her family’s farms, she learned how to manage a business. At age 19, she married her husband and they moved to his family’s estate on a mulberry tree farm that cultivated silkworms. Pretty soon, Sulis was overseeing the entire silk production chain — from ensuring the worms had enough mulberry leaves to eat, to extracting silk threads from cocoons. As Sulis took over the business, she invested in modern looms and transformed the estate into an advanced silk manufacturing site.

Little did she know, her business would revolutionize the entire fashion industry. Before Sulis started designing dresses, society expected noble women to wear traditional gowns that were rigid and heavy. If women refused to wear such uncomfortable dresses, they risked being outcasts.

Refusing to let women suffer in painful dresses, Sulis challenged oppressive fashion trends by designing mulberry silk gowns that were both elegant and comfortable. Her designs became so popular that the princesses from the House of Savoy, Italy’s last royal family, and Catherine the Great became her customers.

When she wasn’t designing gowns for royalty, she dedicated her free time to empowering women in her community. She ran a vocational school that taught hundreds of women the lucrative arts of spinning, weaving, tailoring and even botany. Upon completing the courses, women received a free loom and financial independence. Today, you can find Sulis’s historic dresses on display at the Donna Francesca Sanna Sulis Museum in Muravera and at the State Hermitage Museum in St. Petersburg, where there is a portrait of Catherine the Great donned in one of Sulis’s gowns.

Happy birthday, Donna Francesca Sanna Sulis!

[9A]

11 September 2021

Christine de Pizan's 657th birthday



Today’s Doodle celebrates the 657th birthday of Italian writer and poet Christine de Pizan. She is considered the first woman in Europe to support herself solely by writing professionally.

Christine de Pizan was born in the Republic of Venice on this day in 1364. She spent her childhood exploring libraries in the court of France’s King Charles V, where her father served as court astrologer. Armed with a pen and her love of literature, she began writing romantic ballads in 1393. This early foray into wordsmithing enraptured several powerful patrons, including King Charles VI.

De Pizan is best known today for her role in a medieval literary feud that rivals any modern celebrity drama. It began in the early 1400s with heated debates regarding the popular poem “The Romance of the Rose.” De Pizan denounced the work’s treatment of women and struck back in 1405 with one of her most famous works, “The Book of the City of Ladies.” In it, she incorporated stories that highlighted the leadership and wisdom of important women from history and mythology. She released the sequel, “The Treasure of the City of Ladies,” later that year, completing the series now considered to be among the earliest feminist literature.

Throughout her career, de Pizan published 10 volumes of poetry, many of which were “complaints,” the term for medieval protest poems and songs against vice or injustice. Today, de Pizan is among the 1,038 influential women represented in Judy Chicago’s iconic 1970s art installation “The Dinner Party” on display at the Brooklyn Museum.

Happy Birthday, Christine de Pizan!

[9A]

Jun 11, 2010

Jacques Cousteau's 100th Birthday







Jacques-Yves Cousteau, was a French naval officer, explorer, conservationist, filmmaker, innovator, scientist, photographer, author and researcher who studied the sea and all forms of life in water. He co-developed the Aqua-Lung, pioneered marine conservation and was a member of the Académie Française.

Cousteau described his underwater world research in a series of books, perhaps the most successful being his first book, The Silent World: A Story of Undersea Discovery and Adventure, published in 1953. Cousteau also directed films, most notably the documentary adaptation of the book, The Silent World, which won a Palme d'or at the 1956 Cannes Film Festival. He remained the only person to win a Palme d'Or for a documentary film, until Michael Moore won the award in 2004 for Fahrenheit 9/11.

[9A]

Jun 8, 2010

Robert Schumann's 200th Birthday






Robert Schumann was a German composer, pianist, and influential music critic. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest composers of the Romantic era. Schumann left the study of law, intending to pursue a career as a virtuoso pianist. His teacher, Friedrich Wieck, a German pianist, had assured him that he could become the finest pianist in Europe, but a hand injury ended this dream. Schumann then focused his musical energies on composing.

[9A]

Jun 10, 2013

Maurice Sendak's 85th Birthday






Admired for his award-winning illustrations and beloved for his imaginative storytelling, Maurice Sendak is an American children's book legend. Whether they are monsters stomping through a forest, a boy cruising in a bread plane, or a parade of pigs celebrating a birthday, the unique characters of Sendak's books have sparked the imaginations of children for decades. His talents and ambitions, however, are not limited to children's books. He also created television shows and designed sets for operas and ballets.

To honor such a cherished cultural icon is no small task. How can anyone sing the praises of Maurice Sendak with enough affection? The doodlers and I decided to let Sendak's characters do the talking, or the walking rather. The doodle is a kind of parade-- sixteen of his characters march through their stories and gather around a birthday cake decked with candles that read "85." Even his dog, Herman, makes an appearance to wish Maurice a warm happy birthday.

[9A]

10 Jun 2013

Portugal National Day 2013

[9A]

1 Sept 2016

34th Anniversary of Similan Islands National Park




Today’s Doodle takes you under the stunning waters of Thailand’s Similan Islands. Located northwest of Phuket in the Andaman Sea, the archipelago of 11 islands is famous for its breathtaking dives. Sea turtles, zebra sharks, and blue-spotted stingrays are just a few of the species an underwater adventurer might encounter.

Equally as inviting as the coral reefs are the park’s white sandy beaches. From there, long-tail boats can be spotted navigating the waters against a backdrop of ironwood and gum trees. Also fluttering above sea level, a number of feathered species call the islands home — everything from white-bellied eagles to yellow-browed warblers.

Rich in both wildlife and natural beauty, the Similan Islands were named a national park 34 years ago today. Now it’s time to dive in and celebrate!

[9A]

2 June 2014

Dragon Boat Festival 2014






Take a ride in our dragon boat for the Duanwu Festival in Hong Kong, Singapore and Taiwan today. During this festival people eat “zongzi” [sticky rice dumplings], drink realgar wine and race dragon boats.

[9A]

30 May 2014

35th Anniversary of Nezha Conquers the Dragon King





Our homepage in Hong Kong and Taiwan marks the 35th anniversary of Nezha Conquers the Dragon King. A source of pride in China, Nezha was the first Chinese-language animated film to be screened at the prestigious Cannes Film Festival.

[9A]

9 June 2023

Celebrating Willi Ninja






Today’s video Doodle celebrates Willi Ninja, an iconic dancer and choreographer known as the “Godfather of Voguing.” An acclaimed performer, Willi paved a path for Black LGBTQ+ representation and acceptance in the 1980s and ’90s. The community he created, “The Iconic House of Ninja,” lives on to this day. The Doodle video was illustrated by Rob Gilliam, and edited by Xander Opiyo,with original music by Vivacious. The performers featured are current members of the House of Ninja [Archie Burnett Ninja, Javier Madrid Ninja, Kiki Ninja, and Akiko Tokuoka aka KiT Ninja] dancing in celebration of Willi’s legacy. On this day in 1990, the documentary Paris is Burning — which features Willi and the Iconic House of Ninja — was released in the US at the NewFest New York LGBT Film Festival.

Willi Ninja was born in 1961 and grew up in Flushing, Queens. He had a loving mother who supported his identity. She encouraged his interest in dance by taking him to ballet performances at the Apollo Theater. Although she couldn’t afford expensive dance lessons, it didn’t stop Willi from teaching himself the moves that would make him a star.

Willi went on to master the art of voguing, a dance style that blends fashion poses with intricate, mime and martial arts-like movements. The dance form emerged from the Harlem ballroom scene, which was a safe space founded by LGBTQ+ Black and Latino folks to celebrate self expression and togetherness.

Most Black and Latino ballroom participants belong to groups known as houses, which offer an extended social family and safety net for those who face rejection from biological relatives. Willi co-founded his very own community called the House of Ninja in 1982, and continued to provide support and guidance for his house members even after he became famous.

Inspired by Egyptian hieroglyphs and martial arts, Willi introduced new dance techniques that redefined voguing standards. Catapulted to stardom in the ’90s, Willi went on to perform in films, music videos, and luxury runway shows around the world. His moves inspired celebrities ranging from Madonna to Jean-Paul Gaultier.

Willi was prominently featured in the 1990 documentary, Paris Is Burning, where his unique dance style was showcased on the big screen. The film was a big success and exposed Willi’s work to a wider audience.

When Willi wasn’t dancing, he was a powerful advocate for his community. One of the first to raise awareness of HIV/AIDS prevention at drag balls, Willi played a pivotal role in helping to reduce stigma surrounding the disease.

Thank you Willi Ninja for your contributions to the world of dance and for how you brought visibility to Black and Latino LGBTQ+ identities all over the world. The House of Ninja carries on dancing in your name.

[9A]

10 Jun 2023

Celebrating Scones


Hot off the press — or out of the oven! Today’s Doodle celebrates scones, an afternoon tea treat in the United Kingdom. They’re usually enjoyed with jam and clotted cream, and can be found in almost any bakery from the northern tip of Scotland to the southern end of England. On this day in 1657, the ‘afternoon tea’ idea was first introduced and offered in London.

Many believe scones originated in Scotland in the 1500s and eventually found their way into ‘royal tearooms’. It’s said that Anna Russell, the 7th Duchess of Bedford, requested the snack with her tea every afternoon and popularised the combo. During the Victorian era, people in London would ride the newly established railways to the southern coast of England for a weekend away from the city. Local bakeries, restaurants, and pubs in the area introduced the tea-scone duet to the masses, and the ‘cream tea’ term was born.

The age-long debate around how to eat a scone still remains: cream or jam first? Some, like those in Cornwall, prefer adding jam first to let the fruity flavor sink into the treat before topping it off with clotted cream. Others, such as people in Devon, use the clotted cream to separate the jam from the pastry.

Not all people say ‘scone’ the same way, either. In the south of England, people commonly pronounce it to rhyme with ‘tone’. While people in the midlands and northern regions of England are more likely to rhyme it with ‘gone.’

When it comes to recipes, bakers far and wide truly left no scone unturned: plain, fruit, and even savory versions like cheese are enjoyed in tearooms across the world. Regardless of how you eat it [or say it], this delicious treat is a tried-and-true staple in the United Kingdom. Whether it’s at a local bakery or at home surrounded by loved ones, enjoy your afternoon tea with a scone!

[9A]

12 Jun 2023

Celebrating Espeto



A salty, smoky aroma in southern Spain can only mean one thing: It’s espeto season. Today’s Doodle [hand-crafted with clay!] celebrates the flavor of the summer, a popular Spanish dish of skewered sardines that are traditionally roasted over firewood on the beach. On this day in 2006, the city of Malaga inaugurated a statue of the Espetero — a person who makes the sardine skewers — to celebrate the traditional job.

Espeto gets its name from the Spanish word espetar, which means “to skewer." The snack's origins date back to the late 19th century in Málaga, Spain. Hungry fishermen skewered fish and dug pieces of wood in the sand next to a fire for a quick meal. Over time, people experimented by making espeto with sea bream, sea bass, or even squid, but sardines became the most common choice. Insider tip — Espetos are only eaten in months without an “R” in their name and never on a Monday since there are no fish markets on Mondays.

Today, espeto remains a celebrated beachside snack, but the prep work has moved to boats filled with sand and wood fires. Chefs place six sardines on a skewer, season them with salt, and grill them over an open wood fire. Once fully cooked, the golden sardines are drizzled in lemon juice. Sardines are more plump during the summer months, which gives them even more flavor.


Happy eating!

[9A]

27 May 2022

Juana Alarco de Dammert's 180th birthday




Today’s Doodle honors Juana Alarco de Dammert, a children’s rights advocate and philanthropist who spearheaded the first social welfare program for mothers and children in Peru. Known as the grandmother of all children—la abuelita de los niños—she also helped establish the country’s first kindergartens and daycare centers.

Born on this day in Lima in 1842, Dammert had a humanitarian spirit as a child, often volunteering with her father at the local hospital. After marrying a German businessman in 1861, Dammert and her husband moved to Europe as France was undergoing a major welfare reform. It inspired her to learn more about how governments can play an impactful role in protecting the lives of children.

During this time, she became interested in the works of Firmin Marbeau, a French philanthropist who founded the modern concept of daycares, and Friedrich Froebel, a German philosopher who advocated for early childhood education. Armed with new ideas, Dammert returned to Peru in 1886—after the Chilean occupation ended—to help rebuild her war-torn country.

Seeing the war had left many children without parents, Dammert helped create an orphanage for kids between the ages of seven and twelve. She also later established caring maternity crib institutions for the children of working mothers, opened the first daycare center in Peru, and established two schools that helped young children learn at their own pace. Dedicated to uplifting impoverished women, Dammert also trained and empowered young women in Lima to become teachers.

Today, there are two schools and a park in Lima named in her honor. A bronze bust of Dammert has also been erected in her memory at Parque Neptuno. Every year, students in Lima gather at her sculpture to thank her and celebrate her life’s work.

Happy birthday Juana Alarco! Children in Peru today are living better lives because of you.

[9A]

23 August 2022

Coccinelle's 91st birthday


Coccinelle was a pioneer for the LGBTQ+ community and the first French person to undergo gender-affirming surgery. Today’s Doodle celebrates the singer, entertainer and activist’s 91st birthday.

Jacqueline-Charlotte Dufresnoy was born on August 23, 1931 in Paris. Designated male at birth, she grew up with a deep, inner sense of being a female, along with interests in fashion and performance. After wearing a red dress with black polka dots to a party, a teenage Jacqueline earned the nickname Coccinelle, or ladybug in English.

In 1953, Coccinelle made her stage debut at Madame Arthur, a cabaret venue in Paris, performing a song from the film Premier rendez-vous. She earned a role at Le Carrousel de Paris, a popular music hall with many transgender performers, where her talent and stage presence captivated audiences.

Coccinelle became the first French celebrity to undergo gender-affirming surgery at a clinic in Casablanca in 1958. It was illegal to wear clothing not associated with one’s assigned gender in France at the time, and the publicity surrounding her surgery put a spotlight on LGBTQ+ rights.

After returning to France, Coccinelle quickly became an international icon. Her cabaret show toured across the world, including Europe and South America. She also began acting in films like Europa Di Notte in 1959 and Los Viciosos in 1962.

In 1960, Coccinelle got married in a Catholic wedding ceremony, under the condition that she get rebaptized beforehand. Unprecedented legally and religiously, her marriage established transgender people’s right to marry in France.

While continuing to perform, she founded the organization Devenir Femme, which provided support for transgender individuals seeking gender-affirming surgery. She also helped organize the Center for Aid, Research, and Information for Transsexuality and Gender Identity. In 1987, she published a self-titled autobiography that detailed her transition and career on stage.

Coccinelle’s legacy lives on in her work as people all over the world continue to enjoy her music and films. Happy 91st birthday, Coccinelle!

[9A]

22 Aug 2022

Celebrating Cláudia Celeste



Today’s Doodle celebrates the life of Cláudia Celeste, the first transgender actress to appear in Brazilian telenovelas. She won and organized many beauty pageants, and was also a singer, dancer, director, producer and author. Despite the obstacles and challenges she faced, Celeste became an inspiring figure who opened the door for future generations of trangender and LGBTQ+ talent in Brazil. On this day in 1988, was the first time Cláudia appeared in a role as an openly trans woman in the opening episode of "Olho por Olho".

Celeste was born in Brazil in 1952. She started exploring her identity and talents while in the army. After serving, she earned her beauty diploma and became a hairdresser in Copacabana, Rio de Janeiro when she was 20. According to her, daily life working at the salon inspired her decision to transition. That same year, she accompanied a friend to a theater audition and was chosen to perform as well. She made her debut as a dancer on the stage of Beco de Garrafas.

In 1973, a theater in Rio de Janeiro called Teatro Rival became the first to obtain a government license to perform “O mundo é das Bonecas”. Celeste was invited as a lead alongside other well-known transgender actors. After the show’s success, other productions recognized her talents and provided opportunities to dance throughout many nightclubs in Brazil.

In 1976, Celeste decided to compete in the Miss Brazil Pop pageant and won the contest. One year later, she was invited to act in a soap opera called "Magic Mirror" after its director saw one of her performances at the Teatro Rival. No one in the cast or crew knew she was transgender, and headlines drew negative attention to the news after her first scene. The show was canceled soon after, and she moved to Europe to pursue other opportunities.

Upon returning to Brazil, Celeste auditioned to star in a soap opera called "Olho por Olho" and won the role over 200 others. Her commitment to the character was unmatched, constantly giving her valuable opinion on the script and narrative. Although she faced discrimination being ousted from the cast when her trans identity was "found out" my management, she pushed forward into new opportunities for the rest of her career, cementing her legacy as a pioneer who fought for the rights of transgender and LGBTQ+ performers everywhere.

[sansradio]

9 June 2023

Celebrating Willi Ninja






Today’s video Doodle celebrates Willi Ninja, an iconic dancer and choreographer known as the “Godfather of Voguing.” An acclaimed performer, Willi paved a path for Black LGBTQ+ representation and acceptance in the 1980s and ’90s. The community he created, “The Iconic House of Ninja,” lives on to this day. The Doodle video was illustrated by Rob Gilliam, and edited by Xander Opiyo,with original music by Vivacious. The performers featured are current members of the House of Ninja [Archie Burnett Ninja, Javier Madrid Ninja, Kiki Ninja, and Akiko Tokuoka aka KiT Ninja] dancing in celebration of Willi’s legacy. On this day in 1990, the documentary Paris is Burning — which features Willi and the Iconic House of Ninja — was released in the US at the NewFest New York LGBT Film Festival.

Willi Ninja was born in 1961 and grew up in Flushing, Queens. He had a loving mother who supported his identity. She encouraged his interest in dance by taking him to ballet performances at the Apollo Theater. Although she couldn’t afford expensive dance lessons, it didn’t stop Willi from teaching himself the moves that would make him a star.

Willi went on to master the art of voguing, a dance style that blends fashion poses with intricate, mime and martial arts-like movements. The dance form emerged from the Harlem ballroom scene, which was a safe space founded by LGBTQ+ Black and Latino folks to celebrate self expression and togetherness.

Most Black and Latino ballroom participants belong to groups known as houses, which offer an extended social family and safety net for those who face rejection from biological relatives. Willi co-founded his very own community called the House of Ninja in 1982, and continued to provide support and guidance for his house members even after he became famous.

Inspired by Egyptian hieroglyphs and martial arts, Willi introduced new dance techniques that redefined voguing standards. Catapulted to stardom in the ’90s, Willi went on to perform in films, music videos, and luxury runway shows around the world. His moves inspired celebrities ranging from Madonna to Jean-Paul Gaultier.

Willi was prominently featured in the 1990 documentary, Paris Is Burning, where his unique dance style was showcased on the big screen. The film was a big success and exposed Willi’s work to a wider audience.

When Willi wasn’t dancing, he was a powerful advocate for his community. One of the first to raise awareness of HIV/AIDS prevention at drag balls, Willi played a pivotal role in helping to reduce stigma surrounding the disease.

Thank you Willi Ninja for your contributions to the world of dance and for how you brought visibility to Black and Latino LGBTQ+ identities all over the world. The House of Ninja carries on dancing in your name.

At last!!! I've been waiting for you to post this since Friday! Willi was someone I had a friendly acquaintance with; such a wonderful guy. Thank you so much for acknowledging this honor!!!!

[9A]

27 May 2012

75th Anniversary of the Golden Gate Bridge





The Golden Gate Bridge is a suspension bridge spanning the Golden Gate, the one-mile-wide [1.6 km] strait connecting San Francisco Bay and the Pacific Ocean. The structure links the U.S. city of San Francisco, California—the northern tip of the San Francisco Peninsula—to Marin County, carrying both U.S. Route 101 and California State Route 1 across the strait. It also carries pedestrian and bicycle traffic, and is designated as part of U.S. Bicycle Route 95. Recognized by the American Society of Civil Engineers as one of the Wonders of the Modern World, the bridge is one of the most internationally recognized symbols of San Francisco and California.

[9A]

28 May 2012

Ruby Payne-Scott's 100th Birthday




Ruby Violet Payne-Scott, BSc was an Australian pioneer in radiophysics and radio astronomy, and was one of two Antipodean women pioneers in radio astronomy and radio physics at the end of the second world war, Ruby Payne-Scott the Australian and Elizabeth Alexander the New Zealander.