15.03.2022 19:46 Date: March 6, 2022 Today’s Doodle celebrates the Independence Day of Ghana, an African nation formerly known as the Gold Coast. On this day in 1957, Ghana became the first African country south of the Sahara to gain independence from colonial rule. As the first for the region, Ghana and its independence movement catalyzed independence movements in other African countries. Celebrations of this anniversary can be heard throughout the nation as citizens sing along to “Ghana Freedom,” a famous song of independence; and dance to regional variations of Highlife music. Carnivals and parades are held across Ghana, from the capital of Accra on the scenic coastline of the Gulf of Guinea to the northern heritage-rich city of Tamale. Local foods, such as the Ghanaian jollof rice , serve as centerpieces in many private homes, where the Ghanaian flag, depicted in the Doodle artwork, is raised in honor of decades of independence. Happy Independence Day, Ghana! Location: Tags: , , , ,
15.03.2022 19:46 Date: March 4, 2022 The competitive critters featured in today’s Doodle have gathered from all over the world under the winter sky to keep their cool and put their opponents on ice. Who will be pouncing on victory and scurrying home an international legend? Find out over the next few weeks as the Games have officially begun! Location: Tags: , , , , , , , , , ,
15.03.2022 19:46 Date: March 4, 2022 Today’s Doodle celebrates the Women’s Cricket World Cup, which officially begins today at Bay Oval Stadium in New Zealand. The world’s first international cricket match took place in 1844 between Canada and the United States. The first women’s World Cup tournament was held in 1973, also won by this year’s defending champions, England. This year, eight teams from around the world will compete for tournament victory. No matter how heated the competition may get, cricket is highly respected for maintaining high standards of fair play and good sportsmanship. Hence the phrase “It’s just not cricket,” which describes anything considered unfair. Best of luck to all the competing teams! Location: , , , , Tags: , ,
15.03.2022 19:46 Date: March 3, 2022 On this day in 1878, Bulgaria was proclaimed an independent state by the signing of the Treaty of San Stefano. Today’s Doodle celebrates Bulgarian Liberation Day on the anniversary of the nation’s establishment as an autonomous republic. In remembrance of the sacrifices made by Bulgarian freedom fighters, National Day’s celebrations are both joyous and solemn with government-sponsored official events, speeches from local dignitaries, and military parades in the capital of Sofia. Commemorations continue at a famed monument in the mountainous Shipka Pass known as the Liberty Memorial, where citizens gather to pay their respects to those who fought for the country’s freedom by laying wreaths of flowers. The Doodle artwork features the white, green, and red Bulgarian flag. Symbolizing peace, agricultural wealth, and courage, this flag can be seen raised across the Eastern European nation today to honor years of struggle that culminated in the establishment of an independent nation. Happy Liberation Day, Bulgaria! Location: Tags: , , , ,
15.03.2022 19:46 Date: March 3, 2022 As winter blossoms into spring, today’s Doodle—illustrated by guest artist —celebrates Japan’s Girls’ Day or Hinamatsuri , also called the Doll’s Festival. On this day, families wish for the health, growth, and happiness of Japan’s young girls, traditionally by displaying sets of costumed Hiina dolls that represent members of the imperial court dating back to Japan’s Heian period . So what connection does the display of ornate dolls have with the happiness of Japan’s youth? During the Heian era, noble children played with Hiina , developing a tradition known as Hiina-Asobi . Members of the Imperial court believed the dolls would absorb the children’s bad luck, thus protecting them from evil spirits. In some regions of Japan, these dolls were released to float down a river. Now, people display porcelain dolls with brightly colored clothing—a tradition dating back to the Edo period—to celebrate and to wish girls health and prosperity with traditional foods such as Chirashi-Sushi. Happy Girls’ Day, Japan! Location: Tags: , , , , ,
15.03.2022 19:46 Date: March 2, 2022 On this day in 2016 in the Chaiyaphum province, Thailand’s Department of Mineral Resources discovered a dinosaur fossil estimated to be 100 million years old that is believed to be the largest herbivore dinosaur fossil ever found in Thailand or Southeast Asia. While out and about, a local noticed something quite unusual–massive bones. He contacted the authorities, who then uncovered over 20 individual fragments of sacrum, pelvis spine, and femur all belonging to a single titanosauriform sauropod species estimated to be anywhere between 23 to 30 meters long! Scientists believe the bones of the brontosaurus-like sauropod species characterized by its long neck and tail could be attributed to a previously discovered species called Phuwiangosaurus sirindhornae, but the remains also could indicate the existence of an entirely new species—which would be the largest to have ever roamed Cretaceous-era Thailand. Early drafts of the Doodle Location: Tags: , , , ,
15.03.2022 19:46 Date: March 1, 2022 In honor of St. David’s Day, known in Welsh as Dydd Gŵyl Dewi Sant, today’s Doodle is inspired by symbols of Welsh heritage and its ancient cultural legacy. In the legend of Dinas Emrys, a Celtic king starts a battle between fearsome dragons—one white and one red. The red dragon was victorious and now stands as the symbol centered on the national flag. Other symbols of this day are the leek and the daffodil which some Cymry wear to celebrate the day. Dydd Gŵyl Dewi Sant Hapus! Happy St. David’s Day! Early drafts of the Doodle Location: Tags: , , , ,
15.03.2022 19:46 Date: February 27, 2022 In the Dominican Republic, Independence Day isn’t traditionally limited to just one day, instead, it’s a part of a month-long celebration of Carnival. No February festivities are quite as elaborate as those celebrating Independence Day, which marks Carnival’s grand finale. Today’s Doodle celebrates this time-honored holiday with a depiction of the nation’s symbolic red-and-white flag separated by a white cross and emblazoned with the Dominican Coat of Arms. Traditionally, each region of the Dominican Republic celebrates with a unique flair in the form of varied costumes, masks, and traditional characters that represent cultural idiosyncrasies across the nation. Although no parade is the same, a mainstay that can be seen through almost every city street on Independence Day is the Diablo Cojuelo , a flamboyant masked costume carrying balloons meant to satirize evil spirits and the island nation’s colonial past. With the Dominican diaspora spanning globally, festivities aren’t just limited to the Caribbean. Events commemorating the day liven the streets of many cities with large populations of Dominican descent, such as the famed celebrations that take place in New York City and Miami. Happy Independence Day, Dominican Republic! Location: Tags: , , , ,
15.03.2022 19:46 Date: February 25, 2022 Evolving from a maritime trading post for pearl fishermen and merchants in the early 17th century, Kuwait is now an international business hub on the Arabian peninsula. Today’s Doodle celebrates Kuwait’s National Day, one of the nation’s most revered holidays. The first celebration of the national holiday took place on June 19, 1961, the date that Kuwait gained independence, but government officials shifted the National Day to February 25 to avoid the extreme summer heat . Even with cooler temperatures, celebrants traditionally still have fun by gathering at local attractions like the Messila Beach and Al-Sha’ab Leisure Park, where families enjoy picnics. The Kuwaiti national colors of white, red, black, and green, decorating the flag in the Doodle artwork, adorn everything from private homes to balloons jutting skyward from boats in the middle of the ocean. The traditional wind-tower architecture of local historical sites is beautified with the national colors, as seen in the coastal village of Al Bahhar, one of Kuwait’s early maritime trading outposts. Happy National Day, Kuwait! Location: Tags: , , , ,
15.03.2022 19:46 Date: February 24, 2022 On this day in 1918, Estonia’s independence was made official in the capital of the city of Tallinn. Today’s Doodle celebrates the birth of the Republic of Estonia on its Independence Day. Estonia’s tricolor national flag, depicted in the Doodle artwork, is raised above Tallinn’s historic Toompea Castle to officially begin today’s ceremonies. Many Estonians participate in the day’s festivities by tuning into a televised broadcast of traditional celebrations, including speeches by local dignitaries, a concert, and the laying of wreaths at Tallinn’s historic Freedom Square. In honor of Estonian traditions, a classic meal of kiluvõileib, an open-faced sandwich topped with a sprat filet, is served across the nation as citizens reflect on more than a century of statehood. Happy Independence Day, Estonia! Location: Tags: , , , ,
15.03.2022 19:46 Date: February 19, 2022 Today’s Doodle celebrates the 46th birthday of rapper and songwriter Viviane Lopes Maties—better known by her alias Dina Di—the lead MC of the all-women hip-hop collective Visão de Rua . She is widely considered to be one of the first women hip-hop and gangsta rap artists to achieve commercial success in Brazil. Dina Di was born on this day in 1976 in Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil, and endured a difficult childhood. Though a guitarist at first, Dina Di picked up the mic in her teens and focused her energy on writing rhymes that captured her struggles and challenged the entrenched social system. In 1994, Dina Di led Visão de Rua alongside fellow artists Tum and DJ OG. Together, the revolutionary group released their first single, “Confidência de uma conviceira” . Having served time behind bars, Dina Di used the song to share the harsh realities of the women’s prison system. She visited jails to share her music with incarcerated women to inspire positive transformation and give those detained hope for a brighter future. Dressing in baggy clothes so people focused on her music rather than her gender, Dina Di never stopped exhibiting her power of raw lyrical storytelling to combat social injustice, from sexism in the music industry to the beauty and behavioral standards imposed on women. With Dina Di, Visão de Rua won Brazilian hip-hop’s prestigious Hutúz Awards for best female rap group in both 2000 and 2001, securing her title as the “Queen of National Rap.” Today, women MCs in Brazilian hip-hop thrive and continue to fuel the movement of women’s empowerment. Their acclaim is intertwined with a social movement built by women such as Dina Di. Early drafts of the Doodle Location: Tags: , , , , ,
15.03.2022 19:46 Date: February 17, 2022 Today’s Doodle, illustrated by Tokyo, Japan-based guest artist , celebrates Japanese virologist Dr. Michiaki Takahashi, who developed the first vaccine against chickenpox. Takahashi’s vaccine has since been administered to millions of children around the world as an effective measure to prevent severe cases of the contagious viral disease and its transmission. Michiaki Takahashi was born on this day in 1928 in Osaka, Japan. He earned his medical degree from Osaka University and joined the Research Institute for Microbial Disease, Osaka University in 1959. After studying measles and polio viruses, Dr Takahashi accepted a research fellowship in 1963 at Baylor College in the United States. It was during this time that his son developed a serious bout of chickenpox, leading him to turn his expertise toward combating the highly transmissible illness. Dr.Takahashi returned to Japan in 1965 and began culturing live but weakened chickenpox viruses in animal and human tissue. After just five short years of development, it was ready for clinical trials. In 1974, Dr. Takahashi had developed the first vaccine targeting the varicella virus that causes chickenpox. It was subsequently subjected to rigorous research with immunosuppressed patients and was proven to be extremely effective. In 1986, the Research Foundation for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University began the rollout in Japan as the only varicella vaccine approved by the World Health Organization. Dr.Takahashi’s lifesaving vaccine was soon utilized in over 80 countries. In 1994, he was appointed the director of Osaka University’s Microbial Disease Study Group—a position he held until his retirement. Thanks to his innovations, millions of cases of chickenpox are prevented each year. Today’s Doodle was illustrated by Tokyo, Japan-based guest artist . 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. Who is Michiaki Takahashi? I didn't know this person. Q. What message do you hope people take away from your Doodle? A. Vaccines might help overcome a disease and change the world. Early drafts of the Doodle Location: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , Tags: , , , , , , , , ,
15.03.2022 19:46 Date: February 16, 2022 Today’s Doodle celebrates one of Lithuania’s two Independence days, known locally as Restoration of the State Day. On this day in 1918, the Act of Independence of Lithuania was signed to declare the nation’s status as an independent republic. So why does the nation celebrate multiple independence days? In 1940, Lithuania was annexed, marking the beginning of an occupation that lasted 50 years. In an effort to liberate Lithuania and the other Baltic states of Latvia and Estonia, an estimated two million people joined hands in 1989 to form a 600 km human chain that stretched from the Lithuanian capital of Vilnius to the Estonian capital of Tallinn. This show of solidarity inspired citizens throughout the region and was integral in Lithuania’s fight to regain independence, which was officially recognized on March 11, 1990 on today’s sister holiday, now known as Restoration of Independence Day. Happy Independence Day, Lithuania! Location: Tags: , , , ,
15.03.2022 19:46 Date: February 15, 2022 Today Serbia celebrates its National Day, also known as Statehood Day or Sovereignty Day. The two-day holiday commemorates the start of the 1804 uprising against the Ottoman Empire that developed into the Serbian Revolution, a movement that resulted in the Eastern European nation’s recognition as a sovereign state. February 15 is also the date on which the first Serbian constitution, a progressive agreement aiming to protect human rights known as the Candlemas Constitution, was adopted in 1835. Celebrated as one of the most culturally and historically significant days for Serbia, Statehood Day was first recognized as a national holiday in 2001. Based on local traditions, many citizens believe if it is cloudy on Statehood Day, the final days of winter will be beautiful, but if the skies are clear, the rest of the season will be cold and blustery. So here’s to celebrations bringing blue skies! Happy dan državnosti Srbije! Location: Tags: , , , ,
15.03.2022 19:46 Date: February 15, 2022 Today’s Doodle celebrates the Lantern Festival on the first full moon of the Lunar calendar. Traditions call for celebrants to light lanterns and send them floating into the sky as a symbolic act that honors one’s ancestors and symbolizes the release of the past while shining a light on the year to come. Modern-day celebrations of the Lantern Festival have ancient roots. Stretching back over 2,000 years to the start of the Eastern Han Dynasty, the customs that characterize the holiday are a testament to the power of China’s oral storytelling traditions. The most common type of lantern seen across the skies today are small orbs, but many artisans create unique designs that take on all sizes and shapes—from giant dragons to lanterns small enough for children to carry. To add an extra element of fun, many people slip small pieces of paper inscribed with riddles inside their lanterns. Some riddles are even made so difficult, they’ve earned the nickname “lantern tigers,” as it’s said it's easier to fight a tiger than solve them! Happy Lantern Festival! Early draft of the Doodle Location: , , , , Tags: , ,
