17.03.2021 00:30 Date: March 17, 2021 Location: Tags: , , , ,
16.03.2021 19:31 Date: March 17, 2021 Today’s Doodle celebrates Charoen Krung Road, the very first paved road in Bangkok, which officially opened to travel on this day in 1864. Built alongside the banks of the Chao Phraya River, a tributary that flows through the heart of the city’s urban center, this historic thoroughfare paved the way for the modernization of the Thai capital, all while retaining the charm of its long and winding cultural history. In the 1860s, the Bangkok economy relied mostly on its network of canals for trade. But as the Thai capital became home to foreign traders and their horse-drawn buggies, the city sought to revamp its water-based infrastructure to land transportation in order to meet the demands of international commerce. The local government answered with the 1862 construction of Charoen Krung, which loosely translates to “Prosperous City” but is also often referred to as the “New Road.” Today, Charoen Krung serves as an asphalt artery that connects a melting pot of old and new in areas like Bangkok’s first “Creative District.” This riverside neighborhood features some of the capital’s most iconic landmarks such as the Old Customs House, where 19th century foreign traders paid taxes before entering and exiting the country, alongside an eclectic mix of everything from French bistros to international street murals. This intersection of modernity and history emphasizes how Charoen Krung has always been a progressive cultural center of Thailand; one that continues to clear the path for the ingenuity of the days to come. Here’s to Bangkok’s oldest New Road! Location: Tags: , , ,
16.03.2021 13:02 Date: March 17, 2021 Today’s Doodle, illustrated by Dublin-based guest artist , honors a beloved Irish holiday celebrated worldwide: St. Patrick’s Day. Today’s Doodle artwork features symbols that represent Ireland's diverse geography, architecture, and history. The first icon signifies the country’s verdant mountains, forests, and coastal lighthouses, many of which stand near popular walking and swimming sites. The imagery in the first "o" is a nod to the hands and heart of the legendary Claddagh ring, a symbol of love, loyalty, and friendship. The second "o" incorporates a vase holding Irish wildflowers—spring squill and crocuses—as well as a three-leafed clover, an iconic state emblem of Ireland that represents faith, hope, and love. A depiction of the numerous rivers that run through many Irish towns and cities replaces the “g” as the “l” stands for Ireland’s natural woodlands, much of which are being restored thanks to new state reforestation initiatives. Finally, the "e" is replaced by a Celtic knot, a symbol of Irish hope in the infinite interconnectedness of humanity. Happy St. Patrick’s Day! Guest Artist Q&A with Arron Croasdell Today’s Doodle was illustrated by Dublin-based guest artist . Below, he shares his thoughts behind the making of this Doodle: Q. Why was this topic meaningful to you personally? A. Being an Irish designer, it's so nice to represent our national holiday on a global scale. Q. Did you draw inspiration from anything in particular for this Doodle? A. I drew inspiration from contemporary design styles. I wanted to incorporate items that represent Ireland without being over-the-top traditional . Q. What message do you hope people take away from your Doodle? A. I want people to know that Ireland is more than just the stereotypes. It has a vibrant culture and landscape, as well as a thriving design and illustration scene. Location: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , Tags: , ,
16.03.2021 01:17 Date: March 16, 2021 Happy 161st birthday to German-Jewish educator, feminist, and activist Sidonie Werner. Today’s Doodle, illustrated by Berlin-based guest artist honors her life and legacy as a champion for women's rights and youth social programs. Sidonie Werner was born in Poznań, Poland, on this day in 1860. After completing a women’s teacher seminar and attending lessons at a Jewish elementary school, she entered the Hamburg school system, where she remained a teacher until she retired. In 1893, Werner’s public work as a gender rights activist began in earnest when she co-founded the Israelite-Humanitarian Women’s Association . She also co-founded the Jewish Women’s Association in 1904, an organization she later led as chairwoman. In 1908, she became the leader of the IHWA, where she successfully instituted programs for women and children, such as providing professional training for women to make a living outside of domestic work. Throughout the early 1910s, Werner strengthened her efforts by serving leadership roles in a number of other organizations including the City Federation of Hamburg Women's Association, the Central Welfare Office of German Jews, and the Hamburg Jewish School Association, where she served as the only woman on the board. In 1929, Werner assembled the World Conference of Jewish Women in Hamburg, which united 200 representatives from 14 countries and increased international solidarity among Jewish women. Happy birthday, Sidonie Werner! Guest Artist Q&A with Lihie Jacob Today’s Doodle was illustrated by Berlin-based guest artist . Below, she shares her thoughts behind the making of this Doodle: Q. Why was this topic meaningful to you personally? A. This was a fantastic journey for me. I read anything I could find about Sidonie, and the more I delved into her life’s work, the more I understood just how much impact she had on my own communities. My family moved to Frankfurt a.M. from Israel when I was young. I soon learned a major part of the “Jüdischer Frauenbund”—which Sidonie helped found—operated right in the neighborhood I grew up in. As a Jewish woman and a feminist, I am really thankful to Sidonie and the pioneering women who set in motion so many important political changes and philantropic foundations. Q. What were your first thoughts when you were approached about working on this Doodle? A. I knew I needed to do extensive visual research and understand the nuances of class, fashion, Jewish attire etc. in the years in which Sidonie lived. I wanted to convey both her character as well as the breadth of activism in which she was involved. I hope I did her justice in this humble way. Q. Did you draw inspiration from anything in particular for this Doodle? A. I decided to adopt the linked arm stance, often seen in marches and demonstrations, as a way to show the solidarity and determination that Sidonie radiated. Q. What message do you hope people take away from your Doodle? A. I hope they are inspired to read about Sidonie’s life and remember that what she started needs to be continued. It’s a great way to honor her and the principles she stood for. Location: Tags: , , , ,
15.03.2021 00:03 Date: March 15, 2021 Today’s Doodle celebrates Hungarian National Day, a holiday observed each year to commemorate the country’s fight for independence. On this day in 1848, revolutionary poet Sándor Petőfi stood on the stairs of the Hungarian National Museum, reciting Nemzeti dal and declaring a list of rights now known as the 12 Points of the Pest Revolution. The day is honored as a key milestone in Hungarian history, one that set the stage for the nation to become the unified state it is today. National Day commemorations begin with the raising of Hungary’s red, white, and green flag on Kossuth Square, and it is tradition for Hungarian celebrants to wear a cockade featuring ribbons of red, white, and green as well. These colors are of great significance to Hungarian culture, as they have been historically used by the nation’s leaders since the 13th century. Although each color’s meaning can be interpreted differently, the Constitution of Hungary states that the red symbolizes the strength of the Hungarian people, the white signifies national allegiance, and the green represents hope. Boldog március 15-ét, Magyarország! Location: Tags: , , , ,
14.03.2021 01:06 Date: March 14, 2021 Location: , , Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , ,
10.03.2021 23:35 Date: March 11, 2021 Today’s Doodle, illustrated by Buenos Aires-based guest artist , celebrates Argentine composer and virtuosic bandoneón player Astor Piazzolla, who revolutionized traditional tango to create a hybrid genre known as “nuevo tango.” Astor Piazzolla was born in Mar del Plata, Argentina, in 1921 and moved with his family to New York City at a young age. When his father bought him a bandoneón, an Argentine accordion-like instrument that is essential to the tango sound, he quickly became known as a child prodigy and wrote his first tango at 11. In 1937, he returned to Argentina where traditional tango still reigned supreme. Once home, Piazzolla actually gave up tango to study classical music and become a modernist classical composer. He traveled to Paris on a scholarship to apprentice under eminent French composer Nadia Boulanger, who prepared him for his next return home in 1955. Back in Argentina, he applied years of classical study to the tango sound and formed his band “Octeto Buenos Aires.” Coined as the “nuevo tango,” Piazolla's fresh take incorporated elements of jazz and classical music with new instruments, changing the tempo, the sound, and the tradition of dance. Throughout his life, it’s estimated that Piazzolla wrote approximately 3,000 original compositions and recorded another 500. In honor of his 100th birthday, the Astor Piazzolla Foundation recently announced the Piazzolla Music competition for soloists and ensembles alike. Happy birthday, Astor Piazzolla! Guest Artist Q&A with José Saccone Today’s Doodle was illustrated by Buenos Aires-based guest artist . Below, he shares his thoughts behind the making of this Doodle: Q. Why was this topic meaningful to you personally? A. First of all, because I’ve loved Piazzolla's music since I was a kid. He had the talent and the courage to reinvent the sound of tango in a very conservative era. I think the only way to do something so bold is to believe in your work passionately. And he did it spectacularly. ~ En primer lugar, porque me encanta la música de Piazzolla desde que era niño. Tuvo el talento y el coraje para reinventar el sonido del tango en una época muy conservadora. Creo que la única forma de hacer algo tan audaz es creer apasionadamente en tu trabajo. Y lo hizo de manera espectacular. Q. What were your first thoughts when you were approached about working on this Doodle? A. My first thought was "I'm so lucky!" and that kind of stuff. Two hours later, I began to think about the complexity of my task. Tango music is associated with a classic Argentine design known as "fileteado porteño", but Piazzolla is not traditional Tango. So I tried to redesign the "fileteado" as a metaphor for what he did with that musical style. ~ Mi primer pensamiento fue "¡Que suerte tuve!" y ese tipo de cosas. Dos horas después comencé a pensar en la complejidad de mi tarea. El tango está asociado con un diseño clásico argentino conocido como "fileteado porteño", pero Piazzolla no hizo tango tradicional. Entonces traté de rediseñar el "fileteado" como metáfora de lo que el hizo con ese estilo musical. Q. Did you draw inspiration from anything in particular for this Doodle? A. I started drawing while listening to Piazzolla's music; that was it. ~ Me puse a dibujar escuchando Piazzolla, eso fue todo. Q. What message do you hope people take away from your Doodle? A. I would like you to listen to his music, which is the only thing that really matters. It could be a great finding! ~ Me gustaría que escuchen su música, que es lo que importa realmente. Podría ser un gran hallazgo! Location: , , , , , , , , , , , , Tags: , , , , , , ,
09.03.2021 20:44 Date: March 10, 2021 Today’s Doodle celebrates the 89th birthday of renowned Indian professor and scientist Udupi Ramachandra Rao, remembered by many as “India’s Satellite Man.” Born in a remote village of Karnataka on this day in 1932, Prof. Rao began his career as a cosmic-ray physicist and protégé of , a scientist widely regarded as the father of India’s space program. After completing his doctorate, Prof. Rao brought his talents to the U.S., where he worked as a professor and conducted experiments on NASA’s Pioneer and Explorer space probes. On his return to India in 1966, Prof. Rao initiated an extensive high energy astronomy program at the Physical Research Laboratory, India’s premier institution for space sciences, before spearheading his country’s satellite program in 1972. Motivated by the practical applications of aerospace technology to solve societal problems such as poverty and food shortages, Prof. Rao supervised the 1975 launch of India’s first satellite—“Aryabhata”—one of over 20 satellites he developed that transformed much of rural India by advancing communication and meteorological services. From 1984 to 1994, Prof. Rao continued to propel his nation’s space program to stratospheric heights as chairman of India’s Space Research Organization. Here, he developed rocket technology such as the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle , which has launched over 250 satellites. Prof. Rao became the first Indian inducted into the Satellite Hall of Fame in 2013, the same year that PSLV launched India’s first interplanetary mission—“Mangalyaan”—a satellite that orbits Mars today. Happy Birthday, Prof. Rao! Your stellar technological advancements continue to be felt across the galaxy. Location: Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , ,
09.03.2021 14:11 Date: March 10, 2021 Today’s Doodle celebrates the 142nd birthday of Chinese-Malaysian epidemiologist Dr. Wu Lien-teh, who invented a surgical face covering that is widely considered the precursor to the N95 mask. Born into a family of Chinese immigrants in Penang, Malaya on this day in 1879, Wu went on to become the first student of Chinese descent to earn his MD from Cambridge University. Following his doctoral studies, he accepted a position as the vice director for China's Imperial Army Medical College in 1908. When an unknown epidemic afflicted north-western China in 1910, the Chinese government appointed Wu to investigate the disease, which he identified as the highly contagious pneumonic plague that spread from human to human through respiratory transmission. To combat the disease, Wu designed and produced a special surgical mask with cotton and gauze, adding several layers of cloth to filter inhalations. He advised people to wear his newly invented mask and worked with government officials to establish quarantine stations and hospitals, restrict travel, and apply progressive sterilization techniques; his leadership contributed greatly to the end of the pandemic by April 1911—within four months of being tasked with controlling its spread. In 1915, Wu founded the Chinese Medical Association, the country’s largest and oldest non-governmental medical organization. In 1935, he was the first Malaysian—and the first person of Chinese descent–nominated for the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for his work to control the pneumonic plague. A devoted advocate and practitioner of medical advancement, Wu’s efforts not only changed public health in China but that of the entire world. Happy birthday to the man behind the mask, Dr. Wu Lien-teh! Wear a mask. Save lives. As COVID-19 continues to impact communities around the world, help stop the spread by following . to help you and your communities stay informed and connected. Special thanks to the family of Dr. Wu Lien-teh, including his great-granddaughters, Dr. Shan Woo Liu and Ling Woo Liu, for their partnership on this project. Dr. Shan Woo Liu, M.D., S.D., is an attending physician at Massachusetts General Hospital and an Associate Professor of Emergency Medicine at Harvard Medical School. She is the author of a forthcoming children’s book, Masked Hero: The Story of Wu Lien-Teh. Below she shares her thoughts on the Doodle and her great-grandfather’s legacy. We are honored that Google is celebrating our great-grandfather’s birthday. Just over a century ago, he helped fight off a plague in China and developed techniques such as mask-wearing, that we still use today in our battle against COVID-19. Growing up, we heard our father’s stories about our great-grandfather—that he was famous for controlling the Manchurian pneumonic plague, a disease that was deadly for nearly everyone who contracted it, and that he held a position in China equivalent to Surgeon General in the U.S. A book on our coffee table with a tattered cover, Plague Fighter, reminded us daily of his achievements. His story stirred something in me, and from an early age, I dreamed of becoming a doctor. Yet it wasn’t until 1995, when I attended the 80th anniversary celebration of his founding of the Chinese Medical Association, that I truly appreciated his legacy. Hundreds of doctors and scientists crowded a Shanghai conference room to hear lectures about his life and career. I learned that he was considered by many to be the father of modern medicine in China. In 2018, I traveled with my family to Harbin, in Northeast China, to visit a museum and research institute built in my great grandfather’s honor. It was humbling to walk in his footsteps in the very same city where he suppressed the plague outbreak a century earlier. Today, as an emergency physician treating COVID-19 patients, I appreciate his bravery all the more. A year ago, I was terrified by how little we knew about the coronavirus. Even now, I struggle to imagine how my great-grandfather must have felt as he cared for patients who had contracted the plague. But I also feel closer to him than ever as I urge my patients to practice social distancing and to wear a mask—the very techniques he pioneered as he rescued China, and possibly the world, from a scourge. Wu Lien-teh remains as much of a hero now as he was then. Pictured: Dr. Wu Lien-Teh Photo credit: Courtesy of Dr. Shan Woo Liu and Ling Woo Liu Pictured: Dr. Wu Lien-Teh in the laboratory, Harbin, Jan 1901 Photo credit: Courtesy of Dr. Shan Woo Liu and Ling Woo Liu Location: Tags: , , , , , , , , , ,
07.03.2021 11:31 Date: March 8, 2021 Today’s annual International Women’s Day Doodle takes a journey through a series of firsts in women’s history—highlighting female pioneers who have challenged the status quo and paved the way in education, civil rights, science, art, and so much more. The video Doodle pays homage to these heroes by depicting the hands that have opened the doors for generations of women. While some firsts achieve something spectacularly new, others are receiving a recognition or right that is long overdue. Suffragists, academics, gold medalists, entrepreneurs and more—today’s Doodle celebrates the women around the world who overcame the obstacles of their time to create a lasting legacy. These firsts stand on the shoulders of countless others—women who laid the foundation, in the past, for today’s doors to be finally opened and glass ceilings broken. In honor of the trailblazers of the past, present, and future—Happy International Women’s Day! From the first woman astronaut to the first woman to climb Mount Everest, in the past year, the world searched for “the first woman” more than ever before. the women who have achieved historical firsts, as well as the many who have come after them. Learn even more about women’s impact on history and culture on . story with Helene Leroux Today’s Doodle was illustrated by Doodler, Helene Leroux. Below, she shares her story behind the making of this Doodle: Q: Why is this International Women’s Day meaningful to you personally? A: IWD has always been a great moment to reflect on everything women have done in the past, and the influence that is carried on to this day! I’ve been lucky to be on this team, and I've had the opportunity to research and discover so much of what women have achieved. Celebrating them all over the world—across so many different fields—is incredibly inspiring! The theme “Women Firsts” especially resonated with me. My great grandmother was an incredible artist, but she was never really allowed to pursue art professionally. I eventually became the first woman in my family to pursue art studies and create a profession from drawing. I wish she could have had the same opportunity back then! l actually snuck in a shot from my profession as an animator in the video. When I started, it was a field dominated by men, and I’m proud to see so many women animators and directors now. Q: What were your first thoughts when you were approached about the project? A: I wanted to find a way to represent a diverse range of women's accomplishments globally, while peaking curiosity of who the specific “firsts” are. So that was quite the challenge! I eventually realized that close-up hands highlighting women in their different fields throughout time would be a great way to pay homage. I wish I could have the time to draw even more. Q: Did you draw inspiration from anything in particular for this Doodle? A: I’ve always liked close up shots of hands in movies —it always feels like it's an important action. So I wanted to use that idea and replicate that feeling. Q: What message do you hope people take away from your Doodle? A: I hope the Doodle will inspire women to pursue what they want in life, keep fighting for their rights, and pass on the message to future generations. There are more and more fields and opportunities for everyone out there; women should feel empowered to pursue what they have a passion for. Location: Tags: , , ,
06.03.2021 17:00 Date: March 7, 2021 Today’s Doodle celebrates ambidextrous Japanese sharpshooter Masako “The First Lady of Billiards” Katsura, who made history as the first woman to compete for an international billiards title on this day in 1952. Born in Tokyo in 1913, Katsura picked up billiards at age 12 from her brother-in-law, a game room owner, and by 15 she was the Japanese women’s champion in straight rail—a challenging variation of carom billiards in which the cue ball must hit two balls in a row to score points. After 19, she only competed in men’s tournaments; racking up 10,000 points at one exhibition in a mind-boggling four and a half hour run. By the time Katsura moved to the United States in 1937, word of her unprecedented talent had reached eight-time world champion Welker Cochran. He came out of retirement to challenge her in a series of three-cushion matches, an even tougher version of carom billiards, depicted in the Doodle artwork, that calls for the cue ball to hit at least three cushions before striking the two object balls for points. Katsura so impressed Welker, he organized the World Championship Billiards tournament in 1952 to watch her compete against world’s foremost billiards aficionados. Katsura upset some of the sport’s best players to finish seventh in the tournament, while the progress she made for women in a traditionally male-dominated game was a first. To celebrate her historic achievements, Katsura was inducted into the Women’s Professional Billiard Association Hall of Fame in 1976 as one of the sport’s all-time greatest players. So here’s to you, First Lady of Billiards! Thanks for cueing up this sport for generations of women to come. Location: , , , , , Tags:
06.03.2021 01:34 Date: March 6, 2021 Today’s Doodle honors Ghana’s Independence Day and 64 years since the West African nation became a sovereign republic. At midnight on March 6, 1957, Ghana raised its red, yellow, and green striped flag in front of an estimated half a million people for the ceremony signaling the nation’s official transition to independence. The implications of Ghana’s independence made an international impact, as it gave hope to other countries in the region and around the world to realize their fight for sovereignty. Ghana’s flag continues to serve as a beacon of hope today with its symbolic colors and iconography. As depicted in today’s Doodle artwork, the red of the flag represents Ghana’s fight for freedom, the green signifies its bountiful forests, and the yellow symbolizes the natural mineral wealth found in the nation’s soil. Featured in the center of the flag is a five-pointed black star, a symbol of African unification and emancipation. Happy Independence Day, Ghana! Location: Tags: , , , ,
03.03.2021 18:00 Date: March 4, 2021 Today’s Doodle celebrates the 142nd birthday of journalist, educator, and activist Rosa Sevilla de Alvero, who is widely considered one of the most influential suffragists in Filipino history. Rosa Sevilla was born on this day in 1879 in Manila, the Philippines capital. As a child, she was sent to live with her aunt, an educator who hosted Filipino patriots and intellectuals at her home. Sevilla often eavesdropped on their conversations about battling educational colonialism—revolutionary discussions that helped mold her beliefs. At just 21, Alvero founded the Instituto de Mujeres of Manila, one of the first schools for women in Filipino history. The institute became a hotbed for progress under Sevilla’s leadership—educating women on topics such as suffrage, vocation and Tagalog. She also collaborated with notable Filipino Tagalog poets to present the first balagtasan , which sparked a movement for Tagalog to become the national language. With her institution in good hands, Sevilla left Manila in 1916 to rally women across the country in her fight for suffrage, later founding the Liga Nacional de Damas Filipinas to support her cause. Thanks in part to Sevilla’s tremendous call to action, voting rights were granted to Filipino women in 1937. Today, Sevilla’s Instituto de Mujeres lives on in her legacy as the Rosa Sevilla Memorial School. Happy birthday, Rosa Sevilla de Alvero! Location: Tags: , , , ,
03.03.2021 00:00 Date: March 3, 2021 Exactly 143 years ago, the signing of the Treaty of San Stefano established Bulgaria as an independent state. Today’s Doodle celebrates Bulgaria’s Liberation Day, a national holiday established on the 100th anniversary of this historic peace agreement. Depicted in the Doodle artwork is the Bulgarian flag, which today is raised at monuments across the nation that have strong ties to the history of Liberation Day. Shipka Pass—a picturesque pass that winds through the Balkans Mountains—is home to one of their most important historical sites filled with relics of the country's fight for independence. A bronze lion guards the memorial entrance that leads to 890 stone steps all the way to the monument at the peak. As a holiday tradition, locals and tourists shower the memorial with wreaths of flowers and Bulgarian flags to honor their past. In the capital Sofia, the flag is hoisted high above the city to mark the start of Liberation Day ceremonies, as national leaders gather in solidarity to honor those who helped unify Bulgaria throughout its proud history. Happy Liberation Day, Bulgaria! Location: Tags: , , , ,
02.03.2021 16:34 Date: March 3, 2021 Today’s Doodle honors Girls’ Day, also known as Doll's Day or Hinamatsuri, an annual celebration observed to wish the healthy development and happiness of girls in Japan. Today’s holiday, which is one of the nation’s five sekku , is traditionally marked with the display of ornate hina dolls dressed in kimonos worn by the ancient Japanese imperial court of the Heian era . Each family celebrates Girls’ Day in their own way but some of the most common traditions include the gifting of hina dolls to the youngest girl in the family. Preparation of seasonal foods often complement the festivities, like chirashi-zushi with hishi mochi for desert. Games are another Girls’ Day custom, the most popular being kai-awase, a shell-matching game also passed down from the Heian era. While Girls’ Day is traditionally reserved for families with young girls, modern observances celebrate women at every age. Happy Girls’ Day, Japan! Explore the history of Japanese dolls and their significance during the Hinamatsuri Festival with . Location: Tags: , , , , ,
