Google doodles

[9A]

1 May 2011
160th Anniversary of the first World's Fair






An event that housed the latest and greatest inventions and cultural treasures of its time, the first World's Fair at the Crystal Palace in London was packed with thousands of wonders. This doodle is a sampling of what the visitors saw when they stepped into the glass building. Amongst the trove are the world's largest diamond, a steam engine, high fashion dresses, textiles, indoor trees, and a gigantic fountain.

[9A]

9 May 2011
76th Birthday of Roger Hargreaves







Charles Roger Hargreaves, under pen name Roger Hargreaves, was an English author and illustrator of children's books. He was best remembered for the Mr. Men and Little Miss series, intended for young readers. The simple and humorous stories, with brightly coloured, boldly drawn illustrations, have been part of popular culture since 1971, with sales of over 85 million copies worldwide in 20 languages.

[9A]

9 May 2013
Gustaf de Laval's 168th birthday






Karl Gustaf Patrik de Laval was a Swedish engineer and inventor who made important contributions to the design of steam turbines and dairy machinery.

[9A]

9 May 2020
Celebrating Frank Soo





Today’s Doodle celebrates British footballer and coach Frank Soo, a fearsome half-back and inside forward who broke racial barriers playing for the English national team during World War II. On this day in 1942, Soo made his international debut in a match against Wales, becoming the first person of non-European descent—and only ever of Asian heritage—to represent the country’s team at the highest level.

Frank Soo was born on March 8th, 1914 in Derbyshire, England and raised in Liverpool. He quickly earned a reputation as one of the best youth players in the city. At just 18 years old, he was scouted by Stoke City F.C., becoming the first professional player of Chinese ancestry in the English Football League.

Renowned for an artful playing style, dignified ball control, and precise passing, the charismatic Soo was named team captain at age 27 and rose to a level of national celebrity. In 1940, following the outbreak of World War II, Soo enlisted in the Royal Air Force and continued his legacy as the captain of its football team. Though England’s Football Association deemed its wartime matches unofficial, Soo went on to represent his country in nine such international fixtures by 1945.

Soo retired from playing in 1950 and moved on to a successful international coaching career that lasted over three decades. His legacy lives on in the increasingly diverse English team that plays today.

Thank you, Frank Soo, for showing the world the unifying power of sport. ​

[9A]

9 May 2012
Royal Ploughing Ceremony and Farmer's Day







The Royal Ploughing Ceremony, also known as The Ploughing Festival, is an ancient royal rite held in many Asian countries to mark the traditional beginning of the rice growing season. The royal ploughing ceremony, called Lehtun Mingala or Mingala Ledaw , was also practiced in pre-colonial Burma until 1885 when the monarchy was abolished.

In the ceremony, two sacred oxen are hitched to a wooden plough and they plough a furrow in some ceremonial ground, while rice seed is sown by court Brahmins. After the ploughing, the oxen are offered plates of food, including rice, corn, green beans, sesame, fresh-cut grass, water and rice whisky.

Depending on what the oxen eat, court astrologers and Brahmins make a prediction on whether the coming growing season will be bountiful or not. The ceremony is rooted in Brahman belief, and is held to ensure a good harvest. In the case of the Burmese royal ploughing ceremony, it may also have Buddhist associations. In traditional accounts of the Buddha's life, Prince Siddhartha, as an infant, performed his first miracle during a royal ploughing ceremony, by meditating underneath a rose apple tree, thus exemplifying his precocious nature.

[9A]

10 May 2012
Mahmoud Mokhtar's 121st Birthday






Mahmoud Mukhtar was an Egyptian sculptor. He attended the School of Fine Arts in Cairo upon its opening in 1908 by Prince Yusuf Kamal, and was part of the original "Pioneers" of the Egyptian Art movement. Despite his early death, he greatly impacted the realization and formation of contemporary Egyptian art. His work is credited with signaling the beginning of the Egyptian modernist movement, and he is often referred to as the father of modern Egyptian sculpture.

[9A]

10 May 2019
Minarni Soedarjanto’s 75th Birthday







Today’s Doodle salutes international badminton champion Minarni Soedarjanto, hailed in her Indonesian homeland as "Queen of all badminton queens."

Born in Pasuruan, East Java, on this day in 1944, Soedarjanto began competing at the age of 13 and went on to win her first title at the 1959 National Championship in Malang at the age of 15. That same year, she was chosen for the Indonesian national team, competing in the world’s top badminton tournament for women, the Uber Cup.

Although Indonesia was defeated in 1960, Soedarjanto won singles and doubles titles for many years, including a historic win in the sport’s oldest tournament, the All-England. Teaming up with Retno Koestijah, Soedarjanto won Indonesia’s first All England title in 1968. She also went on to victory at the 1969 U.S. Open and Canada Open that same year.

Soedarjanto was part of Indonesian teams that competed for the Uber Cup trophy in 1963, 1966, and 1969—but unfortunately came up short every time. "It's hard to just leave, considering it's been 23 years playing badminton," she said in a 1972 interview. By 1975 she was a player-coach and mother of three, but refused to retire without fulfilling her goal. Finally, she beat perennial powerhouse Japan, winning Indonesia’s first Uber cup which was the last title of her illustrious career.

Thanks for paving the way, and happy 75th birthday, Minarni Soedarjanto!

[9A]

10 May 2011
Israel Independence Day 2011





Independence Day is the national day of Israel, commemorating the Israeli Declaration of Independence in 1948. The day is marked by official and unofficial ceremonies and observances.

Because Israel declared independence on 14 May 1948, which corresponded with the Hebrew date 5 Iyar in that year, Yom Ha'atzmaut was originally celebrated on that date. However, to avoid Sabbath desecration, it may be commemorated one or two days before or after the 5th of Iyar if it falls too close to the Jewish Sabbath. Yom Hazikaron, the Israeli Fallen Soldiers and Victims of Terrorism Remembrance Day is always scheduled for the day preceding Independence Day.

In the Hebrew calendar, days begin in the evening. The most recent occurrence of Yom Haatzmaut took place from sunset to sunset, 14-15 April 2021.

[9A]

19 May 2011
Nellie Melba's 150th Birthday




Dame Nellie Melba was an Australian operatic soprano. She became one of the most famous singers of the late Victorian era and the early 20th century, and was the first Australian to achieve international recognition as a classical musician. She took the pseudonym "Melba" from Melbourne, her home town.

During the First World War, Melba raised large sums for war charities. She returned to Australia frequently during the 20th century, singing in opera and concerts, and had a house built for her near Melbourne. She was active in the teaching of singing at the Melbourne Conservatorium. Melba continued to sing until the last months of her life and made a large number of "farewell" appearances. Her death, in Australia, was news across the English-speaking world, and her funeral was a major national event. The Australian $100 note features her image.

[9A]

20 May 2011
Doodle 4 Google 2011 - US by Matteo Lopez





With more than 5 million votes cast, the anticipation has been building in this year’s Doodle 4 Google competition. Today, the wait is finally over—seven-year-old Matteo Lopez of South San Francisco, Calif. is the national winner with his imaginative doodle, entitled “Space Life.”

Matteo, who attends Monte Verde Elementary School, submitted his design around his dream to “... become an astronaut and explore space life.” Matteo’s doodle of the Google logo artfully depicts a trip to space, walking on the moon, and even making friends with aliens. Matteo has already soared to great heights, rising to the top of the more than 107,000 submissions sent in from all over the country.

Matteo’s use of markers and colored pencils has won him a $15,000 college scholarship, a netbook computer and a $25,000 technology grant for his school. Matteo’s doodle will also be featured on the U.S. Google.com homepage tomorrow, May 20, for millions of people to enjoy.

With more doodles than we’ve ever received before, the crop of designs for this year’s theme “What I’d like to do someday...” was incredibly creative across all grade groups. In addition to selecting Matteo, more than 5 million public votes also helped us determine the three national finalists, each of which will receive a $5,000 college scholarship:

Grades 4-6: Joseph Eugene Miller, Grade 4, Andersen Elementary School, Wilmington, N.C., for his doodle entitled “My galaxy.” Joseph says, “I chose to draw this picture because when I grow up I would like to go to space. At night when I look at the stars they persuade me to go to space and explore the stars, planets and our galaxy.”

Grades 7-9: Justas Varpucanskis, Grade 7, Mokena Junior High School, Mokena, Ill., for his doodle entitled “The Majestic Sea.” Justas says, “What I'd like to do someday is to take part in the conservation of our underwater universe. There is no doubt the last decades were an environmental catastrophe. The underwater world is a haven for many sea creatures, thus being crucial to our existence. We need to preserve our underwater ecosystem.”

Grades 10-12: Hannah Newsom, Grade 11, Glenwood Homeschool, Fayetteville, Ark., for her doodle entitled “Illustration.” Hannah says, “Someday I would like to illustrate storybooks. I want my work to make stories come alive in the imagination with color, and light, and emotion deepening the imagination of the reader, I would want to brighten the world of the viewer and fill it with wonder and delight.”

As part of today’s announcement at an event in our New York office, all 40 Regional Finalists enjoyed doodle classes with our doodle team and mingled with some of this year’s guest judges who helped us select the top doodles. In addition to the fun on their trip to the New York office, all of the top 40 Regional Finalists will have their work publicly displayed at the Whitney Museum of American Art in New York through June 16 and at SFMOMA in San Francisco from May 20 through July 19.

Thanks to all of you who voted and helped us select this year's winner. Even more important, thank you to all of the students who submitted entries—it was an especially difficult task to select the winning doodles from among the amazing entries this year. Keep on doodling and we’ll see you next year!

[9A]

24 May 2011
Day of Slavonic Alphabet, Bulgarian Enlightenment and Culture







The Day of Bulgarian Alphabet, Bulgarian Enlightenment and Culture . Today, this holiday is celebrated every year on May 24th [new style] and is an official holiday of Bulgaria since 1990. In 2020, the name was changed to Day of the holy brothers Cyril and Methodius, of the Bulgarian alphabet, education and culture and of Slavic literature.

Cyril and Methodius had been saints since the 9th century, and the commemoration of their saint's day had been celebrated in Bulgaria since the 12th century.

[9A]

3 July 2021
Professor Sir Ludwig Guttmann's 122nd Birthday






Today’s Doodle, illustrated by Baltimore-based guest artist Ashanti Fortson, celebrates the 122nd birthday of Jewish, German-born British neurologist Professor Sir Ludwig “Poppa” Guttmann, founder of the Paralympic movement.

Guttmann was born in Tost, Germany [now Toszek, Poland] on this day in 1899 and went on to receive his M.D. in 1924. He subsequently began research on spinal cord injuries and performed several neurosurgical procedures, rising to prominence as one of Germany’s top neurosurgeons by his early thirties. However, with the rise of the Nazi party and the passing of the Nuremberg Laws in 1933, Guttmann was prevented from practising medicine professionally. Following Kristallnacht in 1938 and the increasing persecution of Jews in Germany, Guttmann was forced to leave Germany with his family and was able to escape to England in 1939.

In England, Guttmann advanced his research in paraplegia. In 1944, he put his innovative approach into practice as the director of the National Spinal Injuries Center at Stoke Mandeville Hospital. In 1948, he organized a 16-person archery contest, one of the first official competitive sporting events for wheelchair users. Later called the “Stoke Mandeville Games” or the “Olympics for the Disabled,” the competition demonstrated the power of elite sport to break down barriers for disability and garnered the attention of global medical and sporting communities.

In 1960, Guttmann facilitated the International Stoke Mandeville Games, following the 1960 Summer Olympics, the first of many Paralympic Games. His passion for patient care never faltered—he also founded the International Medical Society of Paraplegia [the International Spinal Cord Society] and the British Sports Association for the Disabled [Activity Alliance] in 1961. He received numerous accolades for his contributions, the highest among which was being knighted by Her Majesty the Queen in 1966.

Today, Paralympic athletes are rightfully recognized for their skills and achievements. The Paralympic Games continue to be a driving force for promoting the rights and independence of people with disabilities, with a lasting impact on equal treatment and opportunity.

Happy birthday, Prof. Sir Ludwig Guttmann!

[9A]

July 2003
4th of July 2003

[9A]

3 July 2013
Li Shizhen's 495th Birthday



Li Shizhen [July 3, 1518 – 1593], courtesy name Dongbi, was a Chinese acupuncturist, herbalist, naturalist, pharmacologist, physician, and writer of the Ming dynasty. He is the author of a 27-year work, found in the Compendium of Materia Medica. He developed several methods for classifying herb components and medications for treating diseases.

The Compendium is a materia medica text with 1,892 entries, with details about more than 1,800 drugs [Chinese Medicine], including 1,100 illustrations and 11,000 prescriptions. It also described the type, form, flavor, nature and application in disease treatments of 1,094 herbs. The book has been translated into several languages. The treatise included various related subjects such as botany, zoology, mineralogy, and metallurgy. Five original editions still exist.

[9A]

12 Dec 2011
Robert Noyce's 84th Birthday





Having earned the nickname "The Mayor of Silicon Valley," it is no wonder why we had to honor Robert Noyce with a Google doodle. He was responsible for the invention of the early microchips and laid the ground work for all the innovative companies to spring from the Bay Area [including Google!]

I knew that I had to celebrate his birthday in a geeky but accurate way-- the problem was that, as I sat down to draw, I realized I had no idea how motherboards and microchips differ. The following are the results of my uninformed impressions of technology:

It wasn't until I visited our own hardware lab at Google and spoke with Noyce's wife, Ann, that I began to understand what I was trying to draw. With their help I was able to both identify a microchip and honor Noyce accurately!

[9A]

6 Dec 2011
Finland National Day

[9A]

3 Dec 2011
Nino Rota's 100th Birthday




Giovanni Rota Rinaldi , better known as Nino Rota, was an Italian composer, pianist, conductor and academic who is best known for his film scores, notably for the films of Federico Fellini and Luchino Visconti. He also composed the music for two of Franco Zeffirelli's Shakespeare films, and for the first two films of Francis Ford Coppola's Godfather trilogy, earning the Academy Award for Best Original Score for The Godfather Part II [1974].

[9A]

1 Dec 2011
Romanian National Day

[9A]

30 Nov 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.

[9A]

23 Nov 2011
60th Anniversary of Stanislaw Lem's First Publication





Stanisław Lem was one of the biggest and most influential science-fiction writers in history; his books were translated into more than 40 languages and sold more than 30 million copies. Even if you haven't read Lem, you might have watched Solaris, a film based on one of his books.

This year would be Lem's 90th birthday, and today is the 60th anniversary of the publication of his first book, The Astronauts. We decided to prepare a really special Google doodle for this occasion.

Today's doodle was inspired by The Cyberiad, a series of stories about two brilliant “constructors,” Trurl and Klapaucjusz. “Lem’s stories can be somber, but The Cyberiad is comparatively lighthearted and upbeat, though it still addresses the philosophical themes found in the rest of his writing,” says Sophia Foster-Dimino, the doodle’s illustrator. “The distinctive visual style is inspired by the work of famous Polish illustrator, Daniel Mróz, whose drawings accompanied many of the editions of the book.”

[9A]

18 Nov 2011
Louis Daguerre's 224th Birthday








Making a daguerreotype was a very long and tedious process that required very careful and precise chemistry. Since it's been almost 22 years since my last science project and I knew nothing about Chemistry, exposing the team [or myself] to harmful chemicals or any potential spills wasn't sounding like the best idea.

Louis Daguerre was a master chemist... which is why the photo gods named the Daguerreotype process after him. Mr. Daguerre was also a photographer and an artist so I figured from one creative mind to another, that's what I would focus on. The black and white portraits of public figures and families that were taken by Daguerre at the time were such rich moments... moments I tried to convey with an illustrated version of a daguerreotype. Playing dress up with the letters and displaying them in a boxed frame similar to the era sounded like a good [safer] plan.

[9A]

17 Nov 2011
Lola Mora's 145th Birthday







Dolores Candelaria Mora Vega de Hernandez accomplished many things in her lifetime and in widely varying roles. She was an urban planner, researcher, and pioneer in mining within Argentina. She contributed heavily to the rail layout project of the Northern Trans-Andean Railway, or Huaytiquina. But perhaps she is best known for her work as a painter and sculptor. Many of her pieces can be viewed publicly throughout the country, including the Mermaid's Fountain [Fuente de las Nereidas] in Costanera Sur in Buenos Aires, and her grand bas-relief monument, depicting the signing of Argentina's Declaration of Independence, which can be seen at the Historial House of Tucuman.

Based on her life's work, I wanted to depict Lola Mora sculpting herself out of bas-relief bronze –our way of recognizing her important contributions and devotion to her country.

[9A]

11 Nov 2011
Magusto 2011






"Magusto" is a Portuguese tradition celebrated by all generations: from grandparents, to moms and dads, and little children. On this day, people come together to eat chestnuts, drink new wine and mingle with friends and family. The event tends to happen around a bonfire, with the younger generation energetically jumping over it [editor's note: kids, don't try this at home, but if you must, ask your parents first]!

We all have great memories of coming to school on this day with a bag of chestnuts, learning how to prepare them and, of course, ending the afternoon eating them together

Happy Magusto to All!

[9A]

7 Nov 2011
Marie Curie's 144th Birthday




A pioneer in the sciences, Marie Curie's research led to such achievements as the discovery of polonium and radium and the development of the theory of radioactivity. Her life's work earned her two Nobel Prizes and solidified her place in history as an icon in physics and chemistry.

[9A]

3 Nov 2011
Andre Malraux's 110th Birthday






Georges André Malrauxwas a French novelist, art theorist, and minister of cultural affairs. Malraux's novel La Condition Humain won the Prix Goncourt. He was appointed by President Charles de Gaulle as information minister [1945–46] and subsequently as France's first cultural affairs minister during de Gaulle's presidency [1959–1969].

[9A]

3 November 2012
Samuil Marshak's 125th Birthday






Samuil Yakovlevich Marshak was a Russian and Soviet writer of Jewish origin, translator and poet who wrote for both children and adults. He translated the sonnets and some other of the works of William Shakespeare, English poetry [including poems for children], and poetry from other languages. Maxim Gorky proclaimed Marshak to be "the founder of Russia's [Soviet] children's literature."

[9A]

3 November 2014
114th anniversary of the premiere of The Tale of Tsar Saltan





Our doodle in Russia today depicts a scene from the 20th century opera, The Tale of Tsar Saltan, for the libretto’s 114th anniversary.

[9A]

2 Nov 2014
Day of the Dead 2014








The Day of the Dead is a Mexican holiday celebrated in Mexico and elsewhere associated with the Catholic celebrations of All Saints' Day and All Souls' Day, and is held on November 1 and 2. The multi-day holiday involves family and friends gathering to pray for and to remember friends and family members who have died. It is commonly portrayed as a day of celebration rather than mourning

[9A]

2 November 2013
Day of the Dead 2013

[9A]

8 Oct 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 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]

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.

When the news of a vaccine was announced, people around the world spontaneously celebrated. Shopkeepers closed up shop for the day, factories observed a moment of silence, teachers and parents wept. “It was a pretty scary thing at the time. To go from something affecting hundreds of thousands of people around the world per year to just under a thousand cases today – it was a pretty big deal. That was my visual cue to show a town scene with both kids and adults celebrating, running around, enjoying themselves.”

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?”

[9A]

28 October 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]

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]

20 August 2019
Fong Fei-Fei’s 66th Birthday







Today’s Doodle celebrates the life and legacy of the beloved Taiwanese singer Fong Fei-Fei. Born Lin Chiu-luan on this day in 1953, she grew up in Dasi Township and went on to become one of Taiwan’s biggest pop stars, known for her melodic love songs and appealing personal style.

After winning a televised singing competition at age 16, she began a prolific 40-year career, during which she released more than 80 albums, sang over 100 movie theme songs, and starred in several films and TV variety shows. She’s remembered for hit songs like “Wish You Happiness,” “I am a Cloud,” and “The Wild Goose on the Wing.” Many of her songs were popularized in films based on romantic novels by prolific Taiwan-based writer Chiung Yao.

Nicknamed the “Queen of Hats,” the singer once estimated that she had over 600 hats in her collection, joking that she needed a computer database to organize them all.

Although she spent her later years in Hong Kong, she recorded many traditional Taiwanese ballads, along with Mandarin songs. She won Taiwan’s Golden Bell Awards in 1983 and 1984, and the nation’s Culture Minister hailed her as “Taiwan’s national singer.”

[9A]

25 November 2017
Lope de Vega's 455th Birthday

¨Con algunas flores en mi jardín, media docena de fotos y algunos libros; vivo sin envidia.¨
[“With a few flowers in my garden, half a dozen pictures and some books, I live without envy.”]

Born in Madrid in 1562, prolific dramatist Lope de Vega’s talent was noticed while he was a student by the bishop of Ávila, who attempted but ultimately failed to convince him to join the priesthood. A romance prompted de Vega to abandon this religious path, and he continued to educate himself with anthological readings while establishing a career as a writer in Madrid.

De Vega’s love life, which often inspired his plays and poetry, was defined by intense passion and marked with fierce ups and downs — including one that landed him in exile. During this time, he spent several years in Valencia focusing on further honing his craft and establishing a reputation as a talented playwright and poet. Service to dukes, romances and marriages, and a handful of heartbreaking deaths characterized the bulk of the playwright’s life during his most productive period.

Today, some 3,000 sonnets, 3 novels, 4 novellas, 9 epic poems, and 500 plays are attributed to him.

Despite the chaos that surrounded him, de Vega remained a prolific and significant writer, majorly influencing the art and direction of Spanish theatre and poetry. Today, we celebrate the vast contributions of the Fénix de los Ingenios [Pheonix of Spanish Wits] on what would be his 455th birthday.

[9A]

25 November 2020
Celebrating Tino Sidin





Today’s Doodle, illustrated by Indonesian-American guest artist Shanti Rittgers, celebrates the 95th birthday of Indonesian artist and teacher Tino Sidin. Lovingly known as Pak Tino [Sir Tino], Sidin became a household name through his television series Gemar Menggambar [[Like to Draw), on which he taught a generation of young children how to draw and nurture their creative talents. Fittingly, November 25 is also recognized in Indonesia as National Teachers' Day in commemoration of the establishment of the Indonesian Teachers’ Association on this date in 1945.

Tino Sidin was born on this day in 1925 in Tebing Tinggi in North Sumatra, now a province of Indonesia. He first began teaching in his hometown during his 20s and in 1960 travelled to Yogyakarta–among the country’s cultural hubs–to attend the pioneering Indonesian Academy of Arts [[now the Indonesian Art Institute). In 1969, Gemar Menggambar first premiered on the local TV station TVRI Yogyakarta, and in 1979 it made the leap onto Indonesian national television.

Every Sunday afternoon for the next decade, Pak Tino introduced countless children to the fun and joy of drawing. Like countless teachers celebrated across the country today, Sidin nurtured his young students through positive encouragement. He inspired the students to not be afraid to make mistakes, and he uplifted the children who viewed the show nationwide, showing support for their submitted artwork with his signature catchphrase “Ya, bagus” [“Yes, it’s nice”]. An accomplished artist off camera as well, Sidin’s own work was often inspired by daily life; one of his paintings, Empat Anak Main, [Four Children Play] for example, depicts four of his daughters.

In 2017, a museum was founded at Sidin’s former residence in Yogyakarta, immortalizing the legacy of Indonesia’s beloved teaching artist.

Happy Birthday to an educator who helped spark creativity and draw a brighter future for generations of Indonesian children, and thank you to all of the teachers who have tirelessly fostered the next generation!

[9A]

24 November 2020
Celebrating Mariachi








Today’s video Doodle celebrates a quintessential element of Mexico’s rich cultural heritage: the musical genre of Mariachi. Mariachi is typically characterized by a small group of musicians dressed in traditional clothing who perform a wide repertoire of Mexican songs on mostly stringed instruments [the term Mariachi can refer to either the music or the musicians themselves]. During a session held the week of November 22, 2011 UNESCO inscribed Mariachi on its Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.

The Mariachi tradition was born in west-central Mexico around the turn of the 19th century, though its exact origins remain unknown. At first, the genre was strictly instrumental, composed of the sounds of stringed instruments, and eventually vocals and the trumpet were added to the mix. In modern times, Mariachi music has been combined with elements of diverse genres from jazz to reggae. Singers often add in their best grito to express the emotion of the vibrant music! No matter the variation, Mariachi remains a strong representation of Mexican history and culture.

Today’s video Doodle features a Mariachi serenade of the classic song, Cielito Lindo. More than just music, Cielito Lindo [which roughly translates from Spanish as “lovely sweet one”] is a symbol of Mexican pride and community.The Mariachi band is depicted playing the staple instruments of the musical genre—including the guitarrón [a six-string bass], vihuela [a five-string guitar], violin, trumpet, and harp—and wearing traditional trajes de charro [charro suits].

¡Que viva el Mariachi!

[9A]

24 November 2014
Henri de Toulouse Lautrec's 150th Birthday





French painter Henri de Toulouse Lautrec was a man who immersed himself in the color and theatrics of life. True to his spirit, Lautrec’s artwork portrayed the grandeur and excitement of the world he lived in.

When doodler Jennifer Hom was tasked with making a doodle for the renowned artist’s 150th birthday, she immediately looked to his work for inspiration.

Wanting to capture what essentially was the Golden Age of Paris, Jennifer focused her design around the iconic imagery of the Can-can Dancers and the lithograph style, symbols that best embodied the lively spirit of the “La Belle Époque” [“The Beautiful Era”]. The fluid-like forms of the dancers revealed the sense of joy and freedom that was characteristic of the time period.

As a final touch, Jennifer incorporated the portrait of Lautrec into the doodle to reference another of one of his posters. Surely a man who is remembered for his provocative and engaging imagery of Parisian nightlife has a place alongside his illustrations that have captivated the world for decades.

[9A]

18 Nov 2020
Ahmed Zaki’s 71st birthday







Today’s doodle, illustrated by Cairo-based guest artist Muhammad Mustafa, celebrates the 71st birthday of one of Egyptian cinema’s most iconic leading men, the actor Ahmed Zaki. Nicknamed the “Black Tiger” after his titular role in a 1984 boxing film, Zaki was one of the first dark-skinned actors to play leading roles in Egyptian films and helped to change the face of the Arab film industry forever.

Ahmed Zaki was born on this day in 1949 in the city of Zagazig, roughly 50 miles north of the Egyptian capital of Cairo. Zaki was admitted to study dramatic arts in Cairo based on his evident acting talent, despite lacking the high school diploma the institute required, and he graduated in the early ‘70s. In the beginning of his career he appeared in a number of plays, most notably the comedy Hello, Shalaby and Madrasat al-Mushaghibin [School of the Rowdies], a production that served as a launching pad for many prominent Egyptian actors.

Zaki went on to act in more than 60 films and two dozen plays across his career that spanned over three decades. Today’s Doodle depicts references to some of his contributions to Egyptian film, including boxing gloves for Al Nimr Al Aswad [The Black Tiger], a crab symbolizing Kaboria [The Crab], a camera for Edhak El-Sora Tetlaa’ Helwa [Smile, the Picture Will Come Out Fine], and the animals from Arba’a Fi Muhimma Rasmiya [Four on an Official Mission]. He was known for taking on films that touched upon socio-political issues and earned acclaim for his nuanced portrayals of complex historical figures. A student of the famous acting method of the Russian actor and teacher Konstantin Stanislavsky, Zaki deeply committed to his characters, studying every aspect of their lives and psychology to craft his performance.

In honor of his transformative cinematic achievements, Zaki was honored with Egypt’s prestigious Merit of Arts award.

Happy birthday, Ahmed Zaki, and thank you for making history on the big screen and off!

[9A]

4 July 2021
Fourth of July 2021






Congress is now in session—but a different one than you might think! Did you know? A “congress” refers to a group of bald eagles, the national bird of the United States. These parading pals have swooped into today’s Doodle to celebrate the Fourth of July, also known as Independence Day. On this day in 1776, the adoption of the Declaration of Independence proclaimed the sovereignty of the United States.

Although the population of bald eagles in the contiguous United States once teetered on the brink of extinction, they now thrive with an estimated population above 316,000 thanks to the passage of the National Emblem Act in 1940 and recent conservationist efforts. Talk about a soaring comeback!
Happy 4th of July, USA!

[9A]

4 July 2011
4th of July 2011









There are so many symbols that represent the United States that it's impossible to pick just one. So, instead for 2011's 4th of July Doodle, I roughly divided the logo into regions and illustrated a something iconic from that section of the country.

True story: I was once almost killed by an alligator in Mexico. US alligators and I are totally cool, but this gator didn't make the final version.

I was especially excited to feature favorite sights from a few of the places I've lived near to in the US, from San Francisco's Golden Gate Bridge to New York's Statue of Liberty, with Chicago's Sears/Willis Tower in the middle. [I-80 and I go way back.]

Posted by Ryan Germick, Doodle Team Creative Lead

[9A]

5 December 2017
Veronika Dudarova’s 101st Birthday






In today’s Doodle, Google-hued lights shine on a group of musicians led by Veronika Dudarova, the first Russian woman to conduct an orchestra.

Born in 1916, Dudarova spent her formative years studying piano and musicology in the company of some of Russia’s most renowned musical talents. In 1947, she graduated from the Moscow Conservatory, joining the Moscow State Symphony Orchestra as a junior conductor. She spent 13 years in that role before taking over as principal conductor in 1960. In 1991, Dudarova formed the Symphony Orchestra of Russia, which she led until 2003.

One of the very few female conductors in the world, Dudarova holds the Guinness World Record as the only woman to lead a major symphony orchestra for more than 50 years. During her career, she won the State Russian Music Award, was named the People’s Artist of the USSR, and even had a minor planet named after her.

On what would’ve been Dudarova’s 101st birthday, we honor the conductor’s dramatic style as she leads the Google letters in a passionate, homepage-worthy performance.

[9A]

4 July 2017
Fourth of July 2017






Whether you know it as the Fourth of July, Independence Day, or simply America’s birthday, today’s Doodle commemorates an important day in U.S. history. 241 years ago, on July 4, 1776, the Continental Congress voted to adopt the Declaration of Independence, a document proclaiming freedom from Great Britain. And thus the United States of America was born. Each year on this day, Americans from coast to coast unite to celebrate the birth of their country with traditions such as parades, firework displays, and barbecuing with family and friends.

Today’s Doodle is inspired by Stephen Mather [also born July 4], a noted conservationist and the first director of the National Parks Service. Often hailed as “America’s Best Idea,” the NPS was created by President Woodrow Wilson in 1916. Over a century old, America’s national parks span 84 million acres and host more than 275 million visitors every year.

However you spend this Fourth of July, we hope you'll join us in wishing America a very happy birthday!

[9A]

4 July 2000
4th of July 2000 - 4

[9A]

14 Jul 2000
Bastille Day 2000

[9A]

3 Jul 2000
4th of July 2000 - 3

[9A]

2 Jul 2000
4th of July 2000 - 2

[9A]

1 Jul 2000
4th of July 2000 - 1

[9A]

14 July 2013
Bastille Day