09.11.2021 01:30 Date: November 9, 2021 On this day in 1953, Cambodia became a sovereign nation, restoring the identity of the Indigenous Khmer people and upholding the nation’s ancient history. Celebrated annually as Independence Day, this historic anniversary is now a holiday. The Cambodian government honored this declaration of autonomy in 1958 with the construction of a lotus-shaped stupa in the capital of Phnom Penh. Coined the Independence Monument, this 20-meter high tower resembles the iconic 12th-century Khmer temple complex of Angkor Wat, which is emblazoned on the Cambodian flag depicted in the Doodle artwork. Traditionally, today’s formal ceremonies begin at the base of the Independence Monument followed by parades, marching bands, and fireworks over the banks of the Mekong River. Typical cuisine of rice, fish sauce, chili peppers, coconut, and lemongrass is served across the Southeast Asian nation as citizens reflect on the historical path to freedom. Happy Independence Day, Cambodia! Location: Tags: , , , ,
08.11.2021 07:30 Date: November 8, 2021 Today’s Doodle, illustrated by Kenya-based guest artist , celebrates the 71st birthday of acclaimed Kenyan professor and author Okoth Okombo, an eminent researcher of Nilotic linguistics who is widely considered the founder of African sign language studies. Duncan Okoth Okombo was born on November 8, 1950 in Kaswanga, a village on the remote Kenyan island of Rusinga. As a member of the Omusuba tribe raised during a time of British colonial rule, Okombo witnessed firsthand how the elevation of the English language eroded his ethnic identity by pushing his mother tongue of Olusuba to near extinction. These experiences inspired Okombo’s lifelong mission to preserve indigenous African heritage through academia with a major focus on educating children in their native languages. While pursuing his linguistics doctorate in 1983, Okombo published Masira ki Ndaki in Dholuo, which is considered one of the first novels published in a Kenyan language. He continued to pass down his expertise as a professor of linguistics and literature at his alma mater of the University of Nairobi, where Okombo founded the Kenyan Sign Language Research Project in 1991. This project led to the widespread adoption of KSL across Kenya, allowing the nation’s deaf community to secure new opportunities in society. For his achievements, the World Federation of the Deaf elected Okombo as its international president from 1992 to 1995. Today, Okombo’s students remember him as a great listener, storyteller, and even a great dancer as his legacy lives on in the ongoing advocacy work of the Kenyan Sign Language Research Project. Happy birthday, Professor Okombo! Learn more about Professor Okombo's life and legacy on . Guest Artist Q&A with Joe Impressions Today’s Doodle was illustrated by Kenya-based guest artist Joe Impressions. Below, he shares his thoughts behind the making of this Doodle: Q. What were your first thoughts when you were approached about working on this Doodle? A. First I was very excited. I often check out Google Doodles from time to time, and I was very excited that I was going to be involved in creating one. I immediately started brainstorming ideas in my mind on what I should draw for the Doodle. After doing some research online, I thought I should depict the Professor doing what connected him to his students most, and that is giving lectures. I wanted to capture the action involved in a lecture and represent some common elements that are usually found in a lecture hall. This is why I represented GOOGLE letters in a chalkboard, a clipboard, an open book, and an open flip chart. Q. Did you draw inspiration from anything in particular for this Doodle? A. My inspiration came from my memories from when I was in Uni. The lectures used to be warm and vibrant, and so I wanted to depict Professor Okombo in that environment and to show the connection he had with his students. Q. What message do you hope people take away from your Doodle? A. I hope anyone who sees this is able to feel the connection that Professor Okoth Okombo had with his students and how he was able to inspire a young generation through education. Early drafts of the Doodle Location: Tags: , , , , ,
07.11.2021 22:30 Date: November 8, 2021 Today’s Doodle celebrates Indonesian educator and journalist Roehana Koeddoes, a lifelong champion of women’s equality and freedom of expression. For her pioneering achievements, the Indonesian government named her a national hero on this day in 2019. Roehana Koeddoes was born Siti Roehana on December 20, 1884 in the small city of Koto Gadang, West Sumatra, Dutch East Indies . Raised during an era when Indonesian women were generally excluded from formal education, she developed a love for reading by consuming the pages of a local newspaper and sharing local news with her friends by the age of seven. In 1911, she formalized her career in education with the establishment of the first school in Indonesia specifically geared toward women. Founded in her hometown, Koeddoes’ school empowered women through a range of programs, from teachings in Arabic literacy to morality. She broadened her impact following a move to Bukittinggi, a larger West Sumatran city, by becoming one of Indonesia’s first women journalists. Here, she played a key role in the pioneering women’s newspaper “Soenting Melajoe.” As the first of its kind in Indonesia, this publication directly inspired the development of several other influential Indonesian women’s newspapers. Throughout her career, Koeddoes continued to pen articles that encouraged women to stand up for equality and fight against colonialism, with some achieving national recognition. Thanks in part to trailblazers like Koeddoes, many consider women in Indonesian journalism to be more critical and courageous than ever. Here’s to a pioneer whose impacts continue to shape Indonesian media today—Roehana Koeddoes! Early drafts of the Doodle Location: Tags: , , , , ,
07.11.2021 22:30 Date: November 8, 2021 Today’s Doodle, illustrated by India-based guest artist , celebrates Indian cell biologist Dr. Kamal Ranadive on her 104th birthday. Ranadive is best known for her groundbreaking cancer research and devotion to creating a more equitable society through science and education. Kamal Samarath, better known as Kamal Ranadive, was born on this day in 1917 in Pune, India. Her father’s encouragement to pursue a medical education inspired Ranadive to excel academically, but she found her calling in biology instead. In 1949, she received a doctorate in cytology, the study of cells, while working as a researcher in the Indian Cancer Research Center . After a fellowship at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, Maryland, USA, she returned to Mumbai and the ICRC, where she established the country’s first tissue culture laboratory. As the director of the ICRC and a pioneer in animal modeling of cancer development, Ranadive was among the first researchers in India to propose a link between breast cancer and heredity and to identify the links among cancers and certain viruses. Continuing this trailblazing work, Ranadive studied Mycobacterium leprae, the bacterium that causes leprosy, and aided in developing a vaccine. In 1973, Dr. Ranadive and 11 colleagues founded the Indian Women Scientists’ Association to support women in scientific fields. Ranadive fervently encouraged students and Indian scholars abroad to return to India and put their knowledge to work for their communities. After retiring in 1989, Dr. Ranadive worked in rural communities in Maharashtra, training women as healthcare workers and providing health and nutrition education. The IWSA now has 11 chapters in India and provides scholarships and childcare options for women in science. Dr. Ranadive’s dedication to health justice and education remains influential to her students who work as scientists today. Happy birthday, Dr. Kamal Ranadive! Guest Artist Q&A with Ibrahim Rayintakath Today’s Doodle was illustrated by India-based guest artist Ibrahim Rayintakath. Below, he shares his thoughts behind the making of this Doodle: Q. Why was this topic meaningful to you personally? A. I got a chance to delve deep into her life and work, to understand her brilliance in the field. Not just work but also how she was as a person, which wouldn't have crossed me otherwise. Q. What were your first thoughts when you were approached about working on this Doodle? A. I wanted to make a piece that feels lively to look at, that would match Kamal's personality. My initial thoughts were around bringing this out, at the same time highlighting her field of achievements. Q. Did you draw inspiration from anything in particular for this Doodle? A. My main source of inspiration was lab aesthetics from the late 20th century and the microscopic world of cells related to leprosy and cancer. Q. What message do you hope people take away from your Doodle? A. I hope people get curious to learn more about Kamal Ranadive and her contributions to the field of biology. Early drafts of the Doodle Location: , , , , , , , , , , , , Tags: , , , , , , , ,
06.11.2021 02:16 Date: November 6, 2021 Location: Tags:
04.11.2021 23:30 Date: November 5, 2021 Get vaccinated. Wear a mask. Save lives. As COVID-19 continues to impact communities around the world, help stop the spread by finding and following . about resources to help you and your communities stay informed and connected, and the latest ways we're responding. Location: Tags: , , , , ,
03.11.2021 21:01 Date: November 4, 2021 Today’s Doodle celebrates the visionary Chinese-born, British-American physicist and educator Charles K. Kao, considered the father of fiber optics whose innovations revolutionized global communication and laid the groundwork for today’s high-speed internet. Charles Kuen Kao was born on this day in 1933 in Shanghai, China. Drawn to intellectual work early in life with notable academic success, he went on to study electrical engineering in England. He supported his graduate studies as an engineer at Standard Telephones and Cables Ltd., where his colleagues invented the laser in 1960. Shortly after earning his doctorate, Kao and his collaborator George Hockham published a groundbreaking paper in 1966 that proposed fibers fabricated with purified glass could carry a gigahertz of information over long distances using lasers. Kao led the development of this revolutionary technology, and in 1977, the first telephone network carried live signals through optical fibers. By the 1980s, Kao was overseeing the implementation of fiber-optic networks worldwide. Kao was a dedicated educator in addition to being a trailblazing researcher. Beginning in 1987, he spent nearly a decade as Vice-Chancellor of The Chinese University of Hong Kong and founded Hong Kong’s Independent Schools Foundation. Kao’s landmark research in the 1960s earned him a joint Nobel Prize in Physics in 2009 and cleared the path for the over 900 million miles of fiber-optic cables that carry massive quantities of data across the globe today. Happy birthday, Charles K. Kao—thank you for using every fiber of your being to make the world a more connected place! Early drafts of the Doodle Location: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , Tags: , , , , , , , ,
03.11.2021 11:45 Date: November 3, 2021 Today’s Doodle celebrates Panama’s Independence Day, also called Separation Day. One of the many things that makes Panama unique is that it has two independence days: November 3 celebrates the day the Panamanian people declared sovereignty in 1903 and November 28 marks the Central American nation’s first achievement of independence in 1821. Separation Day is the first of five national holidays in November, which is known as El Mes de la Patria, or the Month of the Homeland—a month-long celebration of Panama’s history and culture. On November 3 and November 4 , school groups typically march alongside first responders in parades across many communities. Towns and cities around Panama have historically celebrated this day with parades, fireworks, and performances of El Tamborito, Panama’s national dance characterized by big, colorfully decorated skirts called polleras. Happy Separation Day, Panama! Location: Tags:
02.11.2021 09:45 Date: November 2, 2021 Mexico’s Indigenous communities have long practiced the tradition of honoring death as part of the cyclical nature of life and reconnecting families with deceased loved ones. Today’s Doodle celebrates a holiday handed down from the nation’s Indigenous ancestors—Día de los Muertos , an annual celebration of life in honor of those that have passed. The Aztec people, who are from what is today central Mexico, are believed to be the first to celebrate the Day of the Dead by using skulls to honor their dead over 3,000 years ago. Skull symbology has remained an essential element of the day’s celebrations, often seen in the form of colorful calaveras de azúcar or paper maché calaveras laid on altars in family homes to welcome the spirits of the departed. In today's Doodle artwork, a family member drops marigold petals for loved ones to follow home. Although many common themes connect Mexican communities celebrating the Day of the Dead, each region across the nation observes the holiday with a unique spin, as cultural traditions continue to evolve every year. iFeliz Día de los Muertos, México! Early concepts of the Doodle below Location: , Tags: , , , , ,
02.11.2021 00:46 Date: November 2, 2021 Location: Tags: , , , , ,
01.11.2021 07:15 Date: November 1, 2021 Go behind-the-scenes of today’s Doodle below! In honor of Native American Heritage Month in the U.S., today’s interactive Doodle—illustrated by Zuni Pueblo guest artist —celebrates Zuni Native American fiber artist, weaver, and potter the late We:wa . As a Łamana , the late We:wa was a revered cultural leader and mediator within the Zuni tribe, devoting their life to the preservation of Zuni traditions and history. As advised by the Zuni tribe, it is discouraged to speak of community members who have passed on within the present tense. Therefore, we refer to We:wa as “the late We:wa” out of respect for their memory and spirit. The term “Two Spirit” became widely adopted in the 1990s to encompass the various non-binary gender identities and expressions amongst Indigenous peoples. In the Zuni tribe, Łamana is the recognized third gender outside of the male-female binary system. Historical records have used both “he” and “she” pronouns in reference to Łamana and the late We:wa. Because Łamana and many modern Indigenous Two-Spirit people are considered distinct from male and female genders, we have aligned with our Zuni community collaborators and elected to use the ungendered singular pronoun “they.” The late We:wa was born of the Donashi:kwi and a child of the Bit'chi:kwe around 1849 in Zuni Pueblo, a community indigenous to the land that is now known as New Mexico. In the Zuni tribe, Łamana is a recognized third gender outside of the male-female binary system and revered as a traditional cultural concept reflecting harmony and balance. Like most Łamana, at a young age the late We:wa began learning a variety of skills done by both men and women in the tribe. They became an expert weaver, a role traditionally taken on by men in the community, and created textiles using different looms. After years of training, the late We:wa became one of the first Zuni craftspeople to sell ceramics and woven goods to non-Indigenous people, which catalyzed the process of Indigenous crafts being appreciated as a fine art in the U.S. The late We:wa also mastered essential Zuni myths, songs, and ceremonies to become a highly respected spiritual leader in the community. Their cultural expertise led to the late We:wa traveling with American anthropologists James and Matilda Stevenson to Washington, D.C. in 1885 in hopes of fostering cultural exchange. During the late We:wa’s landmark visit to the U.S. capital, they called upon high-ranking U.S. officials to protect Zuni lands and culture from encroaching settlers. Even in the face of colonial policy, which threatens Indigenous peoples nationwide, the late We:wa’s dedication to their community never faltered. They returned to Zuni Pueblo, where they spent the remainder of their life as an artist and community leader. Today, the late We:Wa’s legacy lives on in the approximately 10,000 Zuni people who safeguard the rich tapestry of Zuni heritage and retain one the most uninterrupted cultural lineages of modern Indigenous tribal communities in the U.S. Give the art of weaving a try in today’s interactive Doodle in honor of the late We:wa and their craft! Guest Artist Q&A with Mallery Quetawki Today’s Doodle was illustrated by Zuni Pueblo guest artist . Below, she shares her thoughts behind the making of this Doodle: Q. What does creating a Doodle for the late We:wa mean to you personally? A. Personally, creating the We:wa Doodle was an honor as We:wa was such a warm and generous individual who exemplified our core values as A:shiwi. To be representing my people on this Doodle is another honor that I will always be thankful for. We are a village filled with talented artists and I am absolutely grateful for this honor to represent our history and to tell it using our art. Q. How did you approach illustrating the late We:wa’s story? Did you seek guidance from anyone else in the tribe? A. I was very fortunate to accompany our keepers of traditional knowledge to Washington D.C. a couple years ago to visit the Smithsonian Museum of the American Indian. On this trip I was able to view the collection created or collected during We:wa’s stay in DC in the late 1800’s. That up-close connection to our people’s past and We:wa’s role in our government relations with the U.S. gave me another sense of pride in where I come from. I was able to learn directly from our religious leaders and cultural keepers of knowledge of the items in that museum collection. I have kept that knowledge with me, as well as the research I had done on We:wa in a college course describing the dual gender roles that can be seen in our tribe. The very few photos of We:wa were not the only images I used to create the portrait. I made sure I included the character that We:wa was both in social and cultural contexts. Q. What stands out most for you from the late We:wa’s story and legacy? A. The idea that We:wa was our first ambassador between the U.S. Government and the tribe is very impressive. We:wa learned English to aid our tribal leaders in DC. However, the biggest story to me that has pulled at my heartstrings is how he and his husband adopted so many children who had no one else. They had a wealthy household—not based on money and material, but on the warmth of his character in helping those in need and being in that dual role of spiritual and social guidance. He was a very devout person in our culture and religion and was thus blessed in life with his ability to speak to others and his craft at weaving and pottery. We:wa was a caregiver in both our physical and spiritual realms. Q. What do you hope people will take away from this Doodle? A. I hope that people become aware of our traditional customs and the fact that they are very much in practice currently. Our ancient ways of life are still here and we can all learn from one another. We:wa was a male individual who lived as a woman. He is an ancestor of ours whom we think so dearly. If we could all be caring and empathetic to one another we can all live We:wa’s legacy. Early sketches and paintings of the interactive Doodle below . Guest Artist | Music | Juanita Edaakie and Loretta Beyuka from Art Director | Sophie Diao UX Design | Anthony Irwin Engineering | Jonathan Shneier, Katherine Lee, Gemma Nash, Stephanie Gu Yarn Wranglers | Jordan Thompson, Mark Ivey, Daniel Dovali Producer | Greg Capuano Sound Design | Marketing & Partnerships | Sierra Menzies, Perla Campos Business Affairs & Partnerships | Madeline Belliveau Doodle Team Leads | Jessica Yu, Brian Kaas, Nate Swinehart Consultants | Google Aboriginal and Indigenous Network A special thank you to Curtis Quam, Cordelia Hooee, and the A:shiwi A:wan Museum and Heritage Center for their key support on this project. Location: Tags: , , , , , , , , , , ,
01.11.2021 07:15 Date: November 1, 2021 Today’s Google Doodle honors Singaporean artist Georgette Chen, a founder of the post-Impressionist Nanyang painting style, on the 91st anniversary of her first exhibition at the Salon d’Automne in Paris. Georgette Chen Li Ying was born in Zhejiang, China in October 1906. She grew up mostly in Paris but traveled frequently throughout China and to New York. This cosmopolitan upbringing exposed her to the mixture of cultures that would eventually shape her pioneering art. Chen’s debut followed an invitation to showcase her artwork at an exhibition hosted in one of Paris’ most prestigious modern art salons, the Salon d’Automne, which began on this day in 1930. In 1953, Chen settled in Singapore, where she helped found the Nanyang style of painting–an experimental style that combined Asian subjects and themes with Western styles and techniques. Chen was among the generation of Chinese-born artists who emigrated to Singapore to join the Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts, where she taught for 26 years. She became renowned for her refined brushwork, which infused her paintings with a dreamlike quality. Chen produced numerous works that received global acclaim including “Mosque in Kuala Lumpur” and “Singapore Waterfront” . Her work was exhibited around the world, from New York to Kuala Lumpur. The Doodle artwork evokes Chen’s Nanyang style. Starting from the left: A basket of rambutan, an easel, the artist herself, a dried chili plant, a bitter melon, and then a teapot—all elements inspired by her work. In 1982, she received the Cultural Medallion—a national award that honors the achievements of major contributors to Singapore’s artistic and cultural landscape. As a contributing member to her local community, Chen was the administrator for the Lee Foundation Fund for the Encouragement of Local Talent in the Fine Arts and on the council of the Singapore Arts Society. Singaporean children still learn about the country’s culture from the 2009 book “Georgette’s Mooncakes,” which explores Chen’s “Still Life: Moon Festival Table'' . Thank you for your contributions to the global art scene in the face of an ever-changing world, Georgette Chen! Early drafts of the Doodle below Location: , Tags: , , , ,
