23.04.2022 02:01 Date: April 23, 2022 Naziha Salim was a painter, professor and one of the most influential artists in Iraq’s contemporary art scene. Her work often depicts rural Iraqi women and peasant life through bold brush strokes and vivid colors. On this day in 2020, Naziha Salim was spotlighted by the Barjeel Art Foundation in their collection of female artists. To paint the scene, Salim was born into a family of Iraqi artists in Turkey. Her father was a painter and her mother was a skilled embroidery artist. All three of her brothers worked in the arts, including Jawad, who’s widely considered one of Iraq’s most influential sculptors. From an early age she enjoyed making her own art. Salim enrolled at the Baghdad Fine Arts Institute where she studied painting and graduated with distinction. Because of her hard work and passion for art she was one of the first women awarded a scholarship to continue her education in Paris at the École Nationale Supérieure des Beaux-Arts. While in Paris, Salim specialized in fresco and mural painting. After graduation, she spent several more years abroad, immersing herself in art and culture. Salim eventually returned to Baghdad to work at the Fine Arts Institute where she would teach until retirement. She was active in Iraq’s arts community and one of the founding members of Al-Ruwwad, a community of artists that study abroad and incorporate European art techniques into the Iraqi aesthetic. Later in her career, Salim authored Iraq: Contemporary Art, an important resource for the early development of Iraq’s modern art movement. Naziha Salim’s artwork hangs at the Sharjah Art Museum and the Modern Art Iraqi Archive. There you can see the magic she created from dripping brushes and brimmed canvases. Today’s Doodle artwork is an ode to Salim's painting style and a celebration of her long standing contributions to the art world! Location: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , Tags: , , , , ,
23.04.2022 02:01 Date: April 23, 2022 Bugünün Doodle'ı, Türkiye ve dünyada geleceğin liderleri olan çocuklara armağan edilen Ulusal Egemenlik ve Çocuk Bayramı'nı kutluyor. 1920 yılında Türkiye Büyük Millet Meclisi ilk kez toplanarak Türkiye Cumhuriyeti'nin temellerini attı. 23 Nisan 1929'da Meclis, Türkiye'nin bağımsızlığını kutlamanın yanı sıra, Mustafa Kemal Atatürk’ün teklifi üzerine 23 Nisan'ı çocuklara adanan milli bayram ilan etti. Türkiye ve dünya çocuklarına armağan edilen bu bayram ile dünyada resmi bir Çocuk Bayramı kutlayan ilk ülke Türkiye oldu. Her yıl 23 Nisan'da onlarca ülkeden çocuklar, kültürel farklılıklarını törenlerle kutlamak için Türkiye'ye davet ediliyor ve şiirlerini, şarkılarını, halk danslarını ve bilimsel iş birliklerini birbirleriyle paylaşma şansını buluyor. Türk bayrakları ve kırmızı balonlar, bugünün Doodle'ında olduğu gibi, bu ulusal bayramda yaygın olarak kullanılan süslemeler arasında. Geleceğin mimarları olarak çocuklar, barışçıl liderliğin önemini vurgulamak adına her sene ayrıca Meclis başta olmak üzere pek çok devlet dairesinde bir günlüğüne sembolik olarak yönetim görevini devralıyorlar. 23 Nisan Ulusal Egemenlik ve Çocuk Bayramımız Kutlu Olsun! ~ Today’s Doodle celebrates National Sovereignty and Children’s Day, a holiday that honors children in Turkey and from all over the world, and uplifts the next generation of leaders. In 1920, the Grand National Assembly of Turkey met for the first time and built the framework for the Republic of Turkey. In addition to celebrating Turkish independence, on April 23, 1929, upon Mustafa Kemal Atatürk’s proposal, the Grand National Assembly of Turkey decreed April 23 as a national holiday dedicated to children. With this, Turkey became the first country in the world to celebrate an official Children's Day, as a gift to the children in Turkey and around the world. Every year on April 23, children from dozens of countries are invited to Turkey to celebrate their cultural differences in stadium-sized ceremonies. Kids are invited to share poems, songs, folk dances and scientific collaborations with one another. Turkish flags and red balloons, like the one featured in today’s Doodle, are common decorations found on this national holiday. Children are also invited to take seats in parliament or other government offices to symbolically lead the country for a day, further emphasizing the importance of the next generation of peaceful leaders. Happy National Sovereignty and Children’s Day! Location: Tags: , , , ,
21.04.2022 22:45 Date: April 22, 2022 Today’s annual Earth Day Doodle addresses one of the most pressing topics of our time: climate change. Using real time-lapse imagery from Google Earth Timelapse and other sources, the Doodle shows the impact of climate change across four different locales around our planet. Stay tuned throughout the day to view these scenes, each remaining on the homepage for several hours at a time. Today’s Doodle includes real imagery from: Mt. Kilimanjaro | Tanzania, Africa Glacier retreat at the summit of Mt. Kilimanjaro Images taken each December annually from 1986 to 2020 _____________________________________________________________________ Sermersooq | Greenland Glacier retreat in Greenland Images taken each December annually from 2000 to 2020 _____________________________________________________________________ Great Barrier Reef | Australia Coral bleaching on Lizard Island, Australia Images taken each month from March to May 2016 _____________________________________________________________________ Harz Forests | Elend, Germany Forests destroyed by bark beetle infestation due to rising temperatures and severe drought Images taken each December annually from 1995 to 2020 Acting now and together to live more sustainably is necessary to avoid the worst effects of climate change. about climate change and how you can take action. Art | Sophie Diao, Alyssa Winans Engineering | Katherine Lee, Jordan Thompson Producer | Lindsay Elgin Marketing | Perla Campos, Sierra Menzies Business Affairs & Partnerships | Madeline Belliveau Doodle Team Leads | Jessica Yu, Nate Swinehart, Brian Kaas, Tom Tabanao Google Earth Team | Raleigh Seamster, Karin Tuxen-Bettman, Patrik Blohmé, Christiaan Adams A special thank you to our partners for their collaboration on this Doodle Andrew Pershing, Ph.D., Leila Hadj-Chikh Credit: U.S. Geological Survey Department of the Interior/USGS U.S. Geological Survey Location: Tags: , , ,
19.04.2022 06:15 Date: April 19, 2022 Today’s Doodle celebrates the 155th birthday of Dr. Elvira Rawson de Dellepiane, a prominent first-wave feminist in Argentina who was also one of the country’s first female doctors. Born in Buenos Aires, Rawson grew up in a tight-knit community where rich and poor neighbors looked after one another. As a child, she often saw acts of kindness promoting economic equality, and Rawson was determined to leave her mark on history, too. After graduating from medical school in 1892, a time when women’s perspectives were missing from medical literature, Dr. Rawson initiated early efforts to study reproduction from a female point of view. Her work helped to reduce the stigma surrounding reproductive health. In 1910, she joined forces with prominent suffragists all over the world by participating in the First International Women's Congress in Buenos Aires. It laid the groundwork for women’s rights movements not only in Argentina, but throughout Latin America. In 1919, Dr. Rawson co-founded the Women's Rights Association, which mobilized women to demand equal pay and the right to vote. Considered radical at the time, the group’s efforts did not lead to many concrete policy changes. Although, the movement received attention from major political parties and set a foundation for later feminist movements. Throughout her career, Dr. Rawson also advocated for the health and wellbeing of children. She worked as a medical inspector for the National Department of Hygiene and later the National Council of Education, where she helped establish cafeterias in schools. Thanks to her work and movements, women and children in Argentina have more opportunities. Today is a celebration of Dr. Elvira Rawson’s steadfast belief that a woman can—and will—achieve anything. Location: , , , Tags: , , , , ,
13.04.2022 21:30 Date: April 14, 2022 Nestled deep within the remote jungles of central Vietnam’s Phong Nha-Kẻ Bàng National Park, a UNESCO world heritage site, lies a natural phenomenon unparalleled by any other on Earth: the gargantuan Sơn Đoòng Cave. Today’s Doodle celebrates this colossal cavern, which was officially discovered on this day in 2009. Expert geologists estimate the Sơn Đoòng Cave was formed sometime between two to five million years ago—epochs before local farmer Ho Khanh inadvertently stumbled upon its enormous entrance in 1990. The cave remained untouched until 2008, when Khanh retraced his steps to its misty opening, and until 2009 alongside Howard and Deb Limbert of the British Cave Research Association. The intrepid speleologists conducted the cave’s first official survey and concluded that it was the largest cave on the planet. Inside Sơn Đoòng’s undisturbed inner chambers , scientists discovered a wealth of record-breaking geological formations including the world’s largest limestone pearls and tallest stalagmite. Giant sinkholes situated further into the cave’s depths allow for sunlight and rain to nourish two pristine jungle ecosystems, which are home to flying foxes, the world’s only monkeys to live underground, and eyeless white fish. One of these thriving rainforests is so vast, it even has its own localized weather system! In 2019, a trio of British divers proved there was still more to discover after finding an underwater tunnel connecting Sơn Đoòng to another cave—tacking on another 5.6 million cubic feet to its already titanic volume of 1.35 billion cubic feet. Here’s to a natural wonder for everyone’s travel bucket list! Location: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , Tags: , , , ,
13.04.2022 12:00 Date: April 13, 2022 Location: Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , ,
13.04.2022 02:45 Date: April 13, 2022 Emmanuel Gladstone Olawale Rotimi, also known as Ola Rotimi, was in the spotlight for more reasons than one. Today’s Doodle celebrates the renowned Nigerian playwright, director, actor, choreographer and designer, who used his art to reflect on Nigeria’s rich culture, diversity, and local traditions. Ola Rotimi was born in 1938 and grew up in a family of artists: His mother managed a traditional dance group and his father organized a community theater. His father also directed and produced a play where Rotimi would show up on stage for the first time at only four-years-old. His family’s passion for the arts, as well as his mixed parentage—an Ijaw mother and Yoruba father—greatly influenced his future work. He would later attend Boston University to study theater and earned an M.F.A. degree at Yale University in playwriting and dramatic literature. Throughout Rotimi’s career, he wrote and directed dozens of plays and short stories that poignantly examined Nigeria’s ethnic traditions and history. He was known to have a larger-than-life vision and embraced dance, music, and even mime within his productions. Rotimi’s plays pulled back the curtain to unveil traditional Nigerian rituals, songs, and dances to audiences all over the world. Some of his most celebrated and award-winning works include The Gods Are Not to Blame, Our Husband Has Gone Mad Again, and Kurunmi. Happy birthday to “the father of Nollywood” and one of Nigeria’s foremost dramatists, Ola Rotimi. Special thanks to the family of Ola Rotimi for their collaboration on this project. Below, his children—Enitan, Biodun, Oruene and Kole—share their thoughts on their father’s legacy: Though Ola Rotimi had four biological children, countless others consider themselves his child. Ola Rotimi, a.k.a. Papa, "father of Nollywood" was a giant. A pillar of morality and virtue, his philosophy was always, "Get the job done, and no stories." Growing up as Ola Rotimi's child was not easy. Though he always stressed that each of us follow our own path, society always expected us to be like him. Papa did not believe in material things and would rather channel his resources back into society than accumulate worldly possessions. Most find it hard to believe that he only owned two cars his whole life. The first a 1968 Peugeot 404, followed by a 1986 Peugeot 504. We kids can remember his refrain for the next 10 years, "New Car Sweet O!" Also, there was the fact that it took him over 30 years to build his house, a simple 5 bedroom bungalow . This is classic Papa, giving everything he had to all his children, to Nigeria, and more broadly to Africa, and the world. Today, so many years after Papa's departure, we still hear him in our hearts, minds, and our actions. We remember that "The day a people lose their tradition is the day their death begins -- weeds, they become, climbers, sea-weeds floating they know not where to. Doomed." Pictured: Ola Rotimi, Haze Mae Rotimi and children Enitan, Feyikunmi and Biodun Location: Tags: , , , , ,
12.04.2022 08:15 Date: April 12, 2022 Montserrat “La Superba“ Caballé was known to have a personality that was larger-than-life—but it was the opera star’s voice that brought audiences to their feet. From her 1965 American debut at Carnegie Hall, Montserrat Caballé skyrocketed to international opera stardom and was celebrated for her distinctive bel canto vocal technique. Born on this day in 1933 in Barcelona, Spain, much of Caballé’s youth was spent studying music and training her voice at the local liceo. After making her professional debut in Switzerland and early performances in Germany, Caballé went on to give more than 3,800 performances in over 80 roles on five continents. Caballé’s ability to sing in multiple styles and keys opened doors to performing music ranging from Mozart to more traditional recital pieces all around the world. Her stellar career reached new heights in 1987, when she and close friend Freddie Mercury recorded “Barcelona”, the eventual anthem for the 1992 Barcelona Olympic Games. Caballé received five Grammy nominations during her career, winning the award in 1968 for Best Classical Vocal Performance. She also established Fundació Montserrat Caballé—an organization to support young talent in Barcelona—and served as a UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador. Happy 89th Birthday, La Superba. Your legacy sings on. Location: , , , , , , , , Tags: , , ,
10.04.2022 09:45 Date: April 10, 2022 Location: Tags: , , ,
09.04.2022 06:24 Date: April 9, 2022 Today’s Doodle celebrates the 80th birthday of Nomhle Nkonyeni, a Black South African actress who overcame discrimination to take the stage during apartheid. Nomhle Nkonyeni was born on this day in 1942 in Aggrey Road, in the city of Gqeberha, formerly known as Port Elizabeth. Her notable acting career began as early as age 19 when she co-founded the Serpent Players. This interracial theater troupe’s name was inspired by the abandoned snake pit in which they were forced to first perform due to discrimination. Nkonyeni continued to defy discrimination laws, with the acting group eventually drawing interracial audiences to view political protest theater. Almost two decades later, Nkonyeni made history by becoming the first Black actress to perform at The CAPAB theater, a major performing arts center in Cape Town. She played the lead role in Die Swerfjare van Poppie Nongena, which details the struggles of a Black South African woman navigating discriminatory laws. Nkonyeni’s talent became known on the small and big screens as well, where she held numerous roles in television shows and films such as Tsha Tsha, Scandal!, Zulu, and Red Dust—her career spanning over five decades. Nkonyeni also dedicated her life to empowering the next generation. She volunteered as a drama teacher for homeless youth in her spare time and led youth theater programs in Cape Town. In 2016, Nkonyeni received a lifetime achievement award from the South African Film and Television Awards for her legacy and impact—both on and off the stage. Location: Tags: , , , , ,
07.04.2022 08:36 Date: April 7, 2022 Today’s Doodle, illustrated by South Africa-based artist i, celebrates the life and 151st birthday of Mama Charlotte Maxeke. Widely known as the mother of Black Freedom in South Africa, she was a scholar, an evangelist and a torchbearer for Black South African women’s rights. Charlotte Manye Maxeke was born in 1871 in the small town of Fort Beaufort, situated in today’s Eastern Cape province. She eventually found herself following in her parents’ footsteps—her mother was a teacher, her father a preacher. By age 20, Maxeke was invited to sing and tour Britain and the United States as part of the African Jubilee Choir. While in the United States, the choir’s tour was cut short, but Maxeke decided to stay behind as her sights were set on the opportunity to study in America. She eventually earned a bachelor degree from the Wilberforce University in 1903 and is recognized as the first Black South African woman to graduate from the school, as well as the first with a university degree from America. While in school, Maxeke excelled in many fields of study and was lectured by renowned Pan-Africanist scholar, W.E.B. DuBois. After returning to South Africa, Maxeke settled in Johannesburg and became involved in the country’s political and social rights movements. She attended the launch of the South African Native National Congress in Bloemfontein in 1912. As an avid opponent of the dompas, a pass which regulated and limited the freedom of Black South Africans , Maxeke helped organize the anti-dompas movement in 1913. She also founded the Bantu Women’s League of the SANCC in 1918. Over the next 25 years, Charlotte Maxeke continued her efforts as a tireless leader and advocate for women’s rights. She worked with others across race and class, oftentimes remembered as “everyone’s friend and no one’s enemy.” Happy birthday, Charlotte Maxeke! Guest Artist Q&A with Pola Maneli Today’s Doodle was illustrated by South Africa-based guest artist . Below, he shares his thoughts behind the making of this Doodle: Q. Why was this topic meaningful to you personally? A: I'd seen images of uCharlotte and knew who she was, and even knew a little about her history as a political figure in Southern Africa—but I was nowhere near as familiar with her achievements as I was with those of her male contemporaries. Once I started doing the research, though, it quickly became apparent to me just how extraordinary of a person she was. And although everything about her work and the legacy she left behind points to a rejection of individual exceptionalism in favor of an upliftment of the collective, I believe that she was a truly special person—and her remarkable qualities don't alienate her from her community, but rather reflect favorably back onto it. Q. What were your first thoughts when you were approached about working on this Doodle? A: Disbelief and panic were the most prominent reactions at first, but that eventually settled into an excitement that I haven't felt in a very long time. Q. Did you draw inspiration from anything in particular for this Doodle? A: I definitely zeroed in on the fact that she traveled the world with a gospel choir in her youth, and then I tried to imagine what she might have pulled from that experience. From that, I realized that to be in a choir is to understand the value of separate duties coming together to create something better than the sum of its parts—to truly understand what it means to be in harmony. And how she was not only in harmony with those around her, but also with the various facets of her own life. The radical, the performer, the organizer, the student, the traveler, and the teacher—all in harmony, nestled comfortably beside the next. Q. What message do you hope people take away from your Doodle? A: That whilst we all contain multiple facets within ourselves, it takes the support and solidarity of people around us to truly allow those parts to grow and flourish. Location: Tags: , , , , , , , ,
04.04.2022 07:15 Date: April 4, 2022 Today’s Doodle honors over 60 years of Senegalese independence. On this day in 1960, Senegal signed the transfer of power agreement which paved the way for its official recognition as an autonomous republic on June 20 that same year. In celebration of Senegal’s rich culture, today’s festivities are filled with music, parades and indulging in delicious cuisine—like the national dish of thieboudienne, a Senegalese Jollof rice traditionally served with vegetables and marinated fish. The Senegalese flag, depicted in today’s artwork, is hoisted proudly throughout the day. The flag’s design represents the nation’s religious heritage, wealth of natural resources, and its fight for freedom through its trio of colors: green, yellow and red. Happy Independence Day, Senegal! Location: Tags: , , , ,
03.04.2022 21:45 Date: April 4, 2022 Today’s Doodle celebrates the 171st Birthday of Dr. Ogino Ginko, the first woman to become licensed to practice Western medicine in Japan. As the first female to attend Kojuin, a private medical school for men, she opened the door for women to attend prestigious medical schools in Japan. Her decision to go into the medical field was spurred by the prejudice she experienced as a female patient. She never gave up despite the hurdles she faced. After graduating from medical school in 1882, the government initially refused to let her take the medical licensing exam. Dr. Ginko petitioned multiple times over the course of two years before women were finally allowed to take the test. After getting licensed, she opened an OB/GYN clinic in Tokyo that specialized in providing safe, non-judgmental care for women. Outside of medicine,she also advocated for women in Japan to gain the right to vote. Today’s Doodle artwork celebrates Dr. Ginko’s legacy and her commitment to gender equality in Japan. Location: Tags: , , , ,
03.04.2022 03:45 Date: April 3, 2022 Location: Tags: , , ,
03.04.2022 03:45 Date: April 3, 2022 Today’s Doodle celebrates the 105th Birthday of Siti Latifah Herawati Diah, a prominent Indonesian journalist. In 1955, she co-founded The Indonesian Observer, the first English-language newspaper in the country. As the only English publication in Indonesia for more than a decade, it captured the aspirations and hardships of a newly-independent nation for a global audience. Herawati studied journalism at Barnard College in New York. After graduating she returned to Indonesia in 1942, shortly before the Indonesian National Revolution took hold, and became a reporter for the United Press International newswire. She married fellow journalist Burhanuddin Mohammad “BM” Diah, who later became the Minister of Information in 1968. Herawati used her diplomatic connections to protect Indonesian cultural monuments. She led the effort to declare the Borobudur Temple Compounds as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Herawati was also a strong advocate for women’s rights. She founded several women’s organizations, including the Women’s Voice Empowerment Movement, which mobilizes Indonesian women to vote. Today’s artwork celebrates Herawati’s legacy and the path she paved for women in Indonesia. Early drafts of the Doodle Location: Tags:
