14.11.2022 23:31 Date: November 8, 2022 Today's Election Day reminder Doodle leads to a where you can vote for the 2022 U.S. Midterm Election. In addition to helping you find your local polling place and ballot drop off boxes, you can also search “ ” for information on different means of voting and what you need to bring with you to vote. Location: Tags:
14.11.2022 23:31 Date: November 8, 2022 Today’s Doodle celebrates performer and Rock & Roll Hall of Famer, Dusty Springfield. Known for her impressive versatility across genres, eye-locking stage presence, and her signature blonde beehive, Springfield was a cultural icon whose successful career spanned over five decades. On this day in 1963, Dusty released her first solo single, 'I Only Want to Be with You.' Springfield found her love for music at an early age, and dedicated her life to performing right out of school. Her professional career began when she briefly joined the Lana Sisters in 1958. Soon after, Dusty joined the likes of Tom, her brother, and Tim Field to form a pop-folk trio called The Springfields. In 1962, the group released “Silver Threads and Golden Needles,” which became a top 20 hit in America—a rare feat for a British group at the time. On her way to Nashville for a recording session, she made a career-changing stop in New York and realized her creative calling was closer to that of soul and R&B. Although the group disbanded, Dusty continued the Springfield stage persona into her solo career. Over the next decade, she released a number of hits like the overwhelmingly successful “You Don’t Have To Say You Love Me.” The peak of her career success came in 1968 when her album “Dusty in Memphis” found critical acclaim across the U.S. and U.K. In the years that followed, Springfield’s career journey spanned across various genres and styles. In the 90’s, she released her last studio album, was inducted into the Class of 1999 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, and recognized as Britain's best-ever pop singer by The Rolling Stones! Thank you for always keeping us wishin’ and hopin’, Dusty. Proud to be celebrating you today! Location: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , Tags: , , , ,
14.11.2022 23:31 Date: November 7, 2022 For Irene Bernasconi, the world was her oyster—or perhaps she’d say starfish. Today’s Doodle celebrates Argentina’s first echinoderm specialist, who spent more than 50 years studying sea stars and other marine creatures. On this day in 1968, she became the first Argentine woman to lead a marine biology expedition in Antarctica. Bernasconi was born in La Plata, Argentina on September 29, 1896. She became a teacher in 1918, specializing in natural studies, and began working at the Argentine Museum of Natural Sciences in the early 1920’s. She published her first scientific work about molluscs and marine invertebrates in 1925. At age 72, Bernasconi became the first Argentine woman to lead an Arctic expedition. She and three other female scientists set out to Antarctica to explore the continent’s biodiversity near the South Pole. Throughout the expedition, Bernasconi and her team collected more than 2,000 echinoderm specimens, as well as plant life and other living samples, in Antarctica’s ecosystem. To achieve this, they used diving equipment to set up nets and hooks in extremely cold waters. The trip’s most notable discovery was a new echinoderm family in the Arctic region. In 1969, the Embassy of Women in America awarded the team with a commemorative medal. On International Women’s Day in 2018, which also happened to be the 50th anniversary of the polar expedition, the National Directorate for Antarctica, the Argentine Antarctic Institute and the Naval Hydrographic Service also recognized Bernasconi and her team for their achievements. Her name was incorporated into Argentine maps of Antarctica with the establishment of Bernasconi Cove. Check out the behind-the-scenes process for today’s Doodle artwork by Doodler, Alyssa Winans Location: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , Tags:
14.11.2022 23:31 Date: November 6, 2022 “When I die I will return to seek The moments I did not live by the sea.” -Poem by Sophia de Mello Breyner which inspired the Doodle artwork Today's Doodle celebrates the 103rd birthday of Sophia de Mello Breyner Andresen, an acclaimed Portuguese poet. She was the first woman to earn the Camões Prize, the highest Portuguese honor for poetry. Throughout her career, she published 14 acclaimed volumes of poetry and several short stories, children’s books and essays. Sophia was born on this day in 1919 in Porto, Portugal. She was raised by wealthy parents and a nanny who, at Sophia’s request, often read poetry and fiction aloud. Long before she could read, Sophia delighted her family by reciting the works of 16th-century poets. By age 12, she was avidly reading Homer. In 1936, Sophia enrolled at the University of Lisbon and studied classical philology. She was particularly drawn to Greek civilization, and often explored Greek mythical figures, motifs and places in her writing. After taking some college courses, Sophia returned to Porto to write poetry and stories. Sophia published her first book, “Poesia” in 1944. Her poetry often explored themes like existentialism and individualism. After marrying and starting a family, Sophia began to focus on societal issues that would affect her children. Her second and third volumes of work, particularly poems like "Livro Sexto,” shone a spotlight on corruption and injustice. In the 1950s, Sophia became interested in children’s books and released O rapaz de bronze . She wrote nine more books while experimenting with short stories during this time. Later in her career, she published her most acclaimed poetry, Dual and O nome das coisas — and went on to win the Max Jacob Poetry Prize and the Rainha Sofia Prize for Ibero-American Poetry. Today, poetry lovers can find her work online and in bookstores around the world. Check out the behind-the-scenes process for today’s Doodle artwork by Doodler, Matthew Cruickshank Location: Tags:
14.11.2022 23:31 Date: November 5, 2022 Today’s Doodle celebrates the life and legacy of Raja Ali Haji bin Raja Haji Ahmad. He was a renowned historian, scholar and writer who led a renaissance for Malay literature and culture in the 19th century. Raja Ali was posthumously honored as a National Hero of Indonesia on this day in 2004. Raja Ali was born a Bugis-Malay prince in 1809 to a family of scholars. When he was young, his family moved to Penyengat Island. He studied with famous scholars from the Riau-Lingga Sultanate and was recognized as a gifted student. As an adolescent, Raja Ali accompanied his father on a mission to Jakarta, as well as a pilgrimage to Mecca. The two were the first Riau nobles to accomplish this feat. When he was 32, Raja Ali became a joint regent to the young Sultan and was eventually promoted to religious advisor. In this role, he started writing about the language, culture and literature of the Malay people. His works include the Malay dictionary, educational texts on the king’s duties, the genealogy of Malay and Bugis, a poetry anthology and more. In 2004, Raja Ali was honored as a National Hero of Indonesia for his contributions to language, literature, Malay culture and Indonesian history. His most famous work is the Tuhfat al-Nafis, or “Precious Gift”, which is considered an invaluable source regarding the history of the Malay Peninsula. It’s now carved into his tombstone for people to read when visiting. Location: Tags:
14.11.2022 23:31 Date: November 4, 2022 Today’s Doodle celebrates jollof rice, a quintessential West African dish simmered in reduced tomatoes, onions, peppers and regional spices. Nigeria-based guest artist created the artwork and Senegalese jazz musician, , created the soundtrack. On this day each year, rice farmers plant and reap a bountiful harvest, and cooks across West Africa prepare to make fresh jollof. Also known as benachin and thieboudienne, jollof rice is a one-pot meal that originated from the Wolof tribe in the 14th century. The Wolof Empire, ruling parts of modern-day Senegal, The Gambia and Mauritania, popularized jollof throughout West Africa. Although jollof rice was traditionally cooked with fish for dinner, Africans today also enjoy this savory dish for breakfast and lunch, and often substitute fish with chicken, beef or goat. Each country has added its own spin to the recipe and West Africans engage in humorous banter over who makes the best jollof. These friendly rivalries, known as the “Jollof Wars,” have become an African cultural phenomenon. Nigerians and Ghanaians are particularly competitive over who makes the best jollof — and for good reason. There are distinct differences between the two cooking styles. For example, Nigerians use long-grain rice that absorbs more spices, while Ghanaians use basmati rice with a more aromatic flavor. Who ultimately makes the best jollof? No one can say for sure. The only way to find out is to try as many varieties as you can! Guest Artist Q&A with Haneefah Adam Today’s Doodle was illustrated by Nigeria-based guest artist . Below, she shares her thoughts behind the making of this Doodle: Q. What were your first thoughts when you were approached about working on this Doodle? A: I was very excited. It was a big deal and a wonderful opportunity to have my work on the Google homepage! Q. Can you tell us a little bit about the process of creating a stop motion animation? Is it challenging working with food? A: Creating stop motion animation with food is challenging because you want to capture food in its best form and most of the time, the form changes. For example, when food dries up, the colour changes . Also, the lighting has to be right and consistent throughout the shoot. I first drew a sketch to plan how the final form should look and then proceeded to roughly animate . Stop motion requires intricacy and is labour-intensive but it is really unique and fascinating. Q. Is there a message you hope people take away from the Doodle? A: This is a celebration of culture—not just my culture, but of everyone who recognizes food as a conduit. The diversity of how we approach food is really interesting—like how the preparation of Jollof is different in Nigeria vs. Senegal . This just goes to show the richness and beauty of our collective culture as a continent. Q. Any other thoughts you'd like to share? A: Creativity is bottomless. One of the great things about the human race is how much we can create and refresh from a finite number of resources. Jollof is food but, at the same time, is art. Think about the precision of the combinations required to make good jollof. And then think about how a good piece of art comes together. It’s been a privilege to shine a light on this aspect of my culture with food and I hope to be able to continue to share beautiful stories out of Nigeria. Location: , , , , , , , , , Tags:
14.11.2022 23:31 Date: November 3, 2022 Today’s Doodle celebrates Panama's Independence Day, which marks the historic end of Colombian rule. Panama separated from Colombia on this day in 1903 after negotiating the construction of the Panama Canal. November 3 is one of two independence holidays in Panama this month. The second Independence Day, celebrated on November 28, commemorates the country’s freedom from Spanish rule. Collectively, these holidays are known as Fiestas Patrias. To celebrate this special holiday, people decorate schools, cars and shops with Panamanian flags like the one seen in today’s Doodle. Additionally, school children practice the xylophone and snare drums in preparation for Independence Day parades. The school bands eventually march alongside police officers and soldiers in parades across celebrating communities. Panamanian pride is also displayed through performances of El Tamborito, the country’s national dance. Women twirl their ornate, embroidered skirts as men grip their hats while dancing behind their dance partners. Happy Independence Day, Panama! Location: Tags:
14.11.2022 23:31 Date: November 2, 2022 Today streets pulse to Spanish folk songs as one of Mexico’s most important annual celebrations begins—Day of the Dead, or Día de los Muertos! Today, people in skeleton face paint pass by homes showcasing vibrant skulls made from sugar or clay. The Doodle artwork is crafted from real sugar to honor the tradition! Day of the Dead traditions originated thousands of years ago from Indigenous cultures in Mexico. The Aztec and Mexica people believed the souls of the dead could visit the living, and each year they invited their loved ones to return home. The tradition is so meaningful that 16th-century Spanish settlers adopted the custom and turned it into a holiday. On this day, Mexican families prepare to honor their loved ones by placing their photos on an ofrenda, or home altar, along with candles to help guide them home. Plumes of copal incense drift into the air as people invite their neighbors inside to admire the decorative altars. Friends share food like Pan de Metros, a mouthwatering round bread that represents the circle of life. It’s believed that the deceased first return to their graves, which are often decorated with bright marigold flowers and personal belongings. Whether Mexicans are at home, the cemetery or a local parade, the day is filled with stories and laughter to commemorate loved ones and ancestors. Happy Day of the Dead, Mexico! Check out the behind-the-scenes process for today’s Doodle artwork by Doodler, Lydia Nichols Alt text: First round of letter forms—some sugar stuck to the cutting board Alt text: Blending the sugar to sculpt skulls Alt text: Final letter forms! Location: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , Tags:
14.11.2022 23:31 Date: November 2, 2022 Today’s Doodle celebrates the birthday of Chen Jin, also written as Chen Chin, one of the first female painters to earn recognition in Taiwan. With delicate brush strokes and radiant colors, she painted the way for generations of female artists to come. Chen Jin was born on this day in 1907 in Hsinchu county. She painted for the first time in high school, instantly falling in love with the art form. Her art teacher encouraged her to pursue art and suggested to her father that she continue her education in Japan. This was an unconventional path at the time, considering most of Taiwan’s artists were men. At 18, Chen Jin boarded a ship that set sail for Japan. She had earned a spot at Tokyo Women’s Academy of Fine Arts, making her the first Taiwanese woman to study art abroad. After studying under prestigious Japanese artists, Chen Jin was selected to the Taiwan Fine Arts Exhibition. She was one of three Taiwanese artists out of 92 participants. The exhibition gave Chen Jin the opportunity to showcase her work to a wider audience as she became an acclaimed artist across Taiwan and Japan. Chen Jin’s preferred method of painting was gouache, an opaque watercolor. She continued to hone her craft with figure paintings that depicted the daily lives of upper-class Taiwanese women. In 1934, Tokyo’s Imperial Fine Arts Academy Exhibition accepted Chen Jin’s piece, “Ensemble,” making her the first Taiwanese woman to earn a selection. The iconic painting features two Taiwanese women playing a yueqin and dizi . Chen Jin returned home that year and became Taiwan’s first female secondary school teacher at Pingtung Girls High School. She served as a juror for the Taiwan Fine Arts Exhibition while creating pieces like “Infant” and “Familial Portrait” in her free time. In 1958, Chen Jin held her first solo exhibition that showcased 62 of her paintings at Chung-Shan Hall in Taipei. Chen Jin’s paintings are on display in the Taipei Fine Arts Museum’s permanent collection. In 2003, the National Museum of History showcased “The Beauty of Chen Jin's Ladies," which included 32 of Chen Jin’s paintings from 1932 through 1998. Happy 115th birthday, Chen Jin! Location: Tags:
14.11.2022 23:31 Date: November 1, 2022 In celebration of US Native American Heritage Month, today’s Doodle celebrates Indigenous North American stickball, a ceremonial sport invented by Native American tribes. The artwork was illustrated by Saint Paul-based artist, who is a member of the Spirit Lake Dakota/Mohegan/Muscogee tribe. Stickball is known as one of North America’s oldest team sports. Several Native American tribes such as the Cherokee, Chickasaw, Choctaw, Seminole and Yuchi were known to play. Elder tribal leaders often organized games of stickball to settle disputes without violence. A Cherokee tale describes the first-ever Stickball game played between land animals and birds. The land animals, including a bear, deer and turtle, were overly confident and predicted they’d win through sheer strength. Meanwhile, the team of birds relied on flight, speed and cunning to outsmart and outmaneuver their opponents. In the end, the birds were victorious. Stickball is played using sticks , with a net on one end. Two teams try to pass and move the ball towards their opponent’s goalpost, and points are scored by touching or hitting said post. The most important rule: don’t touch the ball with your hands. To this day, various tribes continue to play their own versions of Stickball. The sport still follows its ceremonial traditions, and is a staple in Native American culture. A little known fact is that modern day field lacrosse actually originated from the game of Stickball, which is played widely today. Today’s Doodle artwork focuses on telling the story of Stickball, blending traditions around the game and the modern way it is played. The style is inspired by traditional ledger art and intentionally includes women and men of various ages to portray the inclusivity of the sport. The art also depicts gameplay of three different versions of stickball, including the ceremonial pregame practice of sage smudging as seen in the “G” letter formation. Guest Artist Q&A with Marlena Myles Today’s Doodle was illustrated by Saint Paul-based guest artist . Below, she shares her thoughts behind the making of this Doodle: Q. Why was this topic meaningful to you personally? A: I have many friends who make their own sticks and play the game as a community event here in Minnesota, the homeland of the Dakota people — I enjoy seeing them pass the tradition onto the next generations too. The game isn’t just for sport or exercise, but also is considered a healing activity for the mind and it helps create a healthy body and mind. I believe those are very important in today’s world just as it was important for my ancestors who played stickball. Q: What were your first thoughts when you were approached about working on this Doodle? A: I was very excited to create something fun, meaningful and that can teach many people about an ancient sport of Native people which is still practiced today in both the traditional version using traditional sticks and the adapted version known to many as Lacrosse. I also could learn more about the different styles played in different regions, so it was a learning experience for me as well. Q: Did you draw inspiration from anything in particular for this Doodle? A: I was inspired by interviews of players and how the game is meaningful to them in their lives. I made sure to include the messaging and imagery that the game has a ceremonial aspect to it, it’s a healing game given to us by the creator. Q: What message do you hope people take away from your Doodle? A: I hope people see Native people living in a healthy and modern way, passing on teachings from one generation to the next since that’s been done since time immemorial amongst the many different tribes. We’re keeping traditions alive. I also hope they see the similarities and differences in the styles of sticks, so they can see we have commonalities but we’re also unique people. Q: What references and inspiration did you pull from for this Doodle? A: As mentioned above, listening to interviews and documentaries gave me a deeper understanding of what’s more valuable about the game, especially as people today who are still practicing the sport. Q: What do you wish more people knew about Stickball? A: That’s it’s a healing sport for the whole community, people aren’t just playing to win, but are playing for their community’s health. This sport has played an active role through the generations in our many tribes and it will continue to do so. Q: Tell us about some of the symbolism in the Doodle around the bowl and the sticks, why did you choose to include this? A: Each game starts with smudging or the burning of tobacco, so that people’s minds are in a purified and healthy manner before starting the game. These kinds of protocols remind us that we’re connected in a sacred manner to all life around us, including our “opponents”. I also included medicine wheels to further illustrate that we are part of a never ending sacred hoop. The medicine wheel is used by many tribes across the country to represent the four directions, the stages of life, seasons, all of these things in an endless circle that we’re centered in as human beings. It’s a symbol of how to live and respect the natural and supernatural worlds. Q: Can you tell us more about the different sticks featured in the Doodle? A: Each region has different styles of sticks. We have the Great Lake sticks which feature a circular hoop to hold the ball. The stick is about 3 feet in length. The Southeastern style features a more egg-like hoop and they play a version with two sticks , which is the shortest stick used around 2.5 feet. The New England area plays an Iroquois style and it’s the one that is the progenitor of the modern field Lacrosse played by Native and non-Natives — their stick is the longest, more than 3 feet and features the oblong shape used in modern Lacrosse sticks. Early sketches Alt text: Black and white sketch of the “GOOGLE” logo made from customary Stickball items including burning sage and sticks. Two players are in motion with sticks in hand. Alt text: Black and white sketch of people playing Stickball with purple “GOOGLE” letters written in cursive behind the players Alt text: Sketch of the Doodle before it's been filled with color and background scenery Location: , , Tags:
14.11.2022 23:31 Date: November 1, 2022 Location: Tags:
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14.11.2022 23:31 Date: November 1, 2022 Today’s Doodle celebrates Turkish actor Hulusi Kentmen. He was one of the most beloved and prolific performers during the “Yesilcam” period of Turkish cinema. Kentmen was born on January 20, 1912 in Veliko Tărnovo, Bulgaria, but grew up in Turkey near the Gulf of Izmit. He took an interest in acting at Akcakoca Primary school’s theater. While serving in the navy, Kentmen regularly performed in plays at community theaters, where he caught the eye of Burhanettin Tepsi, a renowned theater director. Kentmen started his career in the cinema industry in the 1940s but continued to take the stage in theater productions from time to time. He’s best remembered by the father figures he regularly played who had tough exteriors and a good heart. After appearing in nearly 500 films over 40 years, Kentmen became known as the “father” of Yesilcam movies. Today, in Turkey, the phrase “like Hulusi Kentmen” is widely used to describe a firm but loving person. Location: Tags:
14.11.2022 23:31 Date: October 30, 2022 Location: Tags:
