11.02.2021 00:03 Date: February 11, 2021 Today’s Doodle celebrates the 105th birthday of German-Jewish educator and athlete Fredy Hirsch. Known for his charismatic spirit and commitment in supporting children, Hirsch helped save Jewish youth during World War II and enriched their lives with the arts. Alfred “Fredy” Hirsch was born on this day in 1916 in Aachen, Germany, where he started his career as a teacher at several Jewish youth organizations and sports associations. He was openly gay at a time when queer people were being prosecuted by the growing Nazi party. In an effort to escape, Hirsch sought refuge in Czechoslovakia, until the Nazi regime invaded the country and deported him to the Terezin Ghetto and later Auschwitz in 1943. Against all odds, Hirsch continued teaching at Auschwitz and set up a children’s daycare. He did everything in his power to give hope to the youth in his block—organizing concerts, encouraging children to paint scenes from fairy tales, and even salvaging tin cans to help children create sculptures. Many of the children that Hirsch taught credit him for sparking their creative pursuits, like Zuzana Růžičková who survived Auschwitz and later became one of the world’s greatest harpsichordists. On February 11, 2016, in commemoration of Hirsch’s 100th birthday, the high school he attended in Aachen renamed its gymnasium and cafeteria in his honor. Today, these buildings stand as testaments to his unbreakable spirit and carry forward his legacy of improving the lives of young people. Happy birthday, Fredy Hirsch. Here’s to an indomitable hero who reminds the world to push forth with courage and optimism, even during the most trying of times. Location: , , , Tags: , , ,
10.02.2021 18:34 Date: February 11, 2021 Today’s Doodle celebrates Mexican singer and songwriter María Grever, considered to be one of the country’s greatest composers. Grever spent a lifetime producing hundreds of songs that went on to be covered by some of the world’s most famous artists, like Placido Domingo, Aretha Franklin, and Frank Sinatra. On this day in 1938, Grever recorded “Ti-Pi-Tin,” a waltz about serenading your loved ones that became one of her biggest hits. María Joaquina de la Portilla Torres was born in the late 19th century in the city of León in central Mexico. As a child, she moved to Seville, where she studied English, French, and music. Grever’s natural musical abilities were evident as she composed a holiday carol for her school. This led her father to provide her some of the finest tutors, including distinguished composers, Debussy and Lehár. Her first record, “A Una Ola” , sold millions of copies, and was eventually covered by several singers. In 1916, Grever moved to New York, where she soon composed background music in films for both Paramount Pictures and 20th Century Fox. All the while, Grever continued to produce songs that married folk rhythms with styles like tango to captivate audiences throughout the Americas and Spain. Some of her biggest hits included “Júrame” and “What a Difference a Day Makes” . The latter went on to win a Grammy in 1959 as sung by jazz legend, Dinah Washington. In recognition of her contributions to music, the Union of Women of the Americas named Grever “Woman of the Americas” in 1952. Thanks for all the music María Grever; it continues to strike a chord with listeners around the world today! Early concepts and sketches below Location: , , , , , , , , Tags: , , , ,
09.02.2021 22:42 Date: February 10, 2021 Today’s Doodle celebrates renowned Russian writer, poet, musician, and translator Boris Pasternak, who understood the potential of the written word and used the medium to make an impact still felt today. Born in Moscow on this day in 1890, Boris Leonidovich Pasternak was raised in a household bursting with artistic influence. The son of a painter and a concert pianist, he dabbled in drawing and dedicated years to music composition, but ultimately, Pasternak departed from his family’s legacy in the pursuit of literary greatness. Pasternak first earned acclaim with his 1922 book “Sestra moya zhizn” , a cycle of poems exploring love and life. As his oeuvre grew, so did his reputation, and he became so popular that oftentimes when he paused during poetry readings, audiences would shout out the words to complete his sentences. Towards the end of his poetic career, Pasternak plotted to smuggle an 800-page manuscript entitled Doctor Zhivago out of the USSR. A semi-autobiographical story about the aftermath of the Russian Revolution, Doctor Zhivago was first published in Italy in 1957 and was quickly banned by the Soviet Union for its message of personal liberty. Despite the censorship, the epic novel became an international best-seller and led to Pasternak winning the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1958. These days, it is essential reading in many Russian high schools. Happy birthday to a literary giant, Boris Pasternak! Location: Tags: , , , , , , , ,
08.02.2021 00:05 Date: February 8, 2021 If you flip through the channels of cable television in an Arabic-speaking country for long enough, you are bound to stumble upon an Egyptian movie released between the 1940s and ‘60s, an era revered as the nation’s golden age of cinema. Today’s Doodle, illustrated by guest artist , celebrates the 90th birthday of an icon of this era, the beloved Egyptian actress and singer best known by her stage name Shadia. Born Fatma Ahmed Kamal Shaker on this day in 1931, Shadia was first recognized as a gifted singer by her family. At 16, Shadia’s father entered her into a talent competition where she caught the attention of two eminent Egyptian directors, who later helped launch her film career. Shadia’s skills as an actress and dancer coupled with her evocative voice made her a darling of the Arab entertainment industry for close to forty years. She appeared in over 100 roles, from movies to radio plays, and garnered widespread critical acclaim for her comedic and dramatic performances alike. Many of her films featured iconic musical numbers now regarded as classics of Egyptian cinema, like her 1957 duet with : “Ya Salam Ala Hobi Wi Hobak” . Shadia also released dozens of hit songs, several of which remain popular today. Her patriotic ode “Ya Habibty Ya Masr” has been played with such frequency during national events and celebrations, some even consider it Egypt’s unofficial national anthem! Happy birthday, Shadia. Your performances continue to capture hearts across the Arab world and beyond. Early concepts and sketches by guest artist Ahmad Thabit Location: , , Tags: , , , , , , , ,
07.02.2021 06:30 Date: February 7, 2021 Location: Tags: , , , ,
05.02.2021 23:15 Date: February 6, 2021 What do magnetometers, snowmobiles, and penguins all have in common? Each can be found in full-swing at the Ukrainian Akademik Vernadsky Research Base, an Antarctic scientific center widely acclaimed for its climate change research studies. Today’s Doodle celebrates this historic station, which officially transferred from British to Ukrainian control on this day in 1996. Located on the tiny island of Galindez in the Antarctic Circle, the Vernadsky station is the direct successor to the British Faraday base, which was first established as a meteorological observatory in 1947. Today, the Vernadsky station is operated by a rotating staff of a dozen winterers. For about ten months at a time, each winterer endures extreme isolation and sub-zero temperatures, all in the name of scientific progress. When they aren’t busy preparing for expeditions into the Antarctic wilderness, the base’s personnel work year-round to maintain the station and conduct research on everything from penguin populations to the atmospheric effects of ultraviolet radiation. Cheers to everyone who keeps their cool at the Vernadsky base, thank you for helping to provide a better understanding of our changing planet! The Research Team at the Ukrainian Akademik Vernadsky Research Base Location: Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , ,
05.02.2021 14:15 Date: February 6, 2021 On this day in 1840, Māori chiefs joined together with representatives of the British Crown to sign the Te Tiriti o Waitangi , an agreement intended to bring unity to Aotearoa New Zealand. Today’s Doodle recognizes the anniversary of this historic treaty signing, now acknowledged annually as Waitangi Day. On the centennial anniversary of the treaty’s signing, the Māori tribes contributed their unique carving styles to build Te Whare Rūnanga , the meeting house depicted in today’s Doodle artwork. The distinct carvings and intricate tukutuku panels in the Whare design represent Māori throughout Aotearoa as it brings together the stories and styles of all Iwi , showcasing a unique gallery of Māori art, as well as an example of Māori social and cultural life. Now recognized as one of the nation’s most significant cultural heritage sites, Te Whare Rūnanga stands as a place to bring people together for important hui and represents the unification of Māori and all New Zealanders. At dawn today, a ceremony inside Te Whare Rūnanga kicks off New Zealand’s annual Waitangi Festival, a vibrant celebration that includes Māori cultural performances and more. Happy Waitangi Day, New Zealand! Learn more about Te Whare Rūnanga and journey inside the historic Waitangi Treaty grounds with Location: Tags: , , , , ,
03.02.2021 20:35 Date: February 4, 2021 Today’s Doodle celebrates Sri Lanka’s Independence Day, a national holiday observed on the anniversary of the country’s political independence. As with most major events in Sri Lanka, the occasion is traditionally marked with oil lamp lighting ceremonies, a custom many view as symbolic of the Sri Lankan journey through life. The light of these oil lamps brightens each Independence day alongside the Sri Lankan flag, which is depicted in the Doodle artwork. One of the most enduring symbols of the Sri Lankan flag is the golden lion that stands proudly across its maroon background. With roots in the 5th-century, the lion signifies national strength and the sword it holds upright represents the country’s freedom. Surrounding the lion in each corner are four leaves of the bo tree which are each emblematic of a virtue that holds great historical significance to the nation's people. Happy Independence Day, Sri Lanka! Location: Tags: , , , ,
01.02.2021 22:41 Date: February 2, 2021 Today’s Doodle, illustrated by guest artist , celebrates Turkish doctor, educator, author, and social reformer Safiye Ali who is widely credited as the nation’s first female doctor. Born on this day in 1884 in Istanbul in the Ottoman Empire , Ali dedicated herself to the improvement of women’s education on medical issues and fought tirelessly to protect the health of the country’s children. During an era when education was largely a male domain, Ali attended the American College for Girls in Istanbul, and there she set her sights on becoming a doctor. She then traveled to Germany on a scholarship to pursue a degree from the Faculty of Medicine at the University of Würzburg. A gifted student, Ali earned first place in the senior examination in medicine and graduated in 1921. With a specialization in gynecology and pediatrics, she returned to Istanbul and revolutionized her field when she opened her first clinic in 1923. In addition to treating patients, Ali led numerous impactful organizations like Süt Damlası , which worked to provide education and medical services to mothers and young children. Committed to the power of education, Ali wrote multiple books and eventually taught at the American College for Girls. It is here she once again made history, this time as the first female lecturer to provide a medical education to women. A testament to Ali’s renowned stature in the medical field, she also represented Turkey in numerous congresses across Europe. Happy birthday, Safiye Ali, and thank you for inspiring future generations of women to practice medicine. Location: , , Tags: , , ,
