30.05.2022 16:00 Date: May 30, 2022 Location: Tags: , , ,
30.05.2022 07:00 Date: May 30, 2022 Today’s Doodle celebrates Croatia’s Statehood Day. On May 30,1990, Croatia established its first democratically-elected, multi-party parliament. Despite forming its parliament, Croatia couldn’t immediately separate from the former Yugoslavia. A year later, parliament finally gained the power to declare independence on June 25, 1991, after 93% of citizens voted for Croatia to become a sovereign state. This event holds the record for the largest voter turnout in Croatian history and is considered one of the most significant Croatian historical events. Statehood Day commemorates the country’s transition to democracy, and Croatians celebrate by attending family reunions, picnics and barbeques. Public officials also lay memorial wreaths at various landmarks to honor the fallen soldiers who fought for freedom. Happy Statehood Day, Croatia! Or shall we say—Dan državnosti! Location: Tags: , , ,
30.05.2022 07:00 Date: May 30, 2022 Today’s Doodle celebrates Edmond Rostand, a Neo-Romantic French poet and playwright. His most famous work was Cyrano de Bergerac, a play about a chivalrous swordsman with an oversized nose. The play’s sentimental hero—plagued by a love triangle—went on to symbolize the spirit of the French. On this day in 1901, Rostand was elected to the French Academy . Born in 1868 in a southern port city called Marseille, Rostand grew up in a wealthy and cultured family. His father, a poet and an economist, was a member of scholarly societies such as Académie de Marseille and Institute de France. As a young adult, Rostand attended Collège Stanislas in Paris, where he studied literature, history and philosophy. By the time he was 20-years-old, he had completed his first play, a one-act comedy called Le Gant Rouge. The play was performed at Cluny Theatre in 1888. Although Rostand’s first play received little fanfare, it didn’t discourage him from continuing to write. A few years later, Rostand created his first successful play, Les Romanesques, which was a parody of Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet. The satirical play follows two families who fake a feud to encourage their children to fall in love. When it premiered in 1894, it put Rostand on the map. Les Romanesques became so popular—even outside of France—that it was later adapted into The Fantasticks, the world's longest-running musical. Three years after Les Romanesques, Rostand produced his most beloved work, Cyrano de Bergerac, in 1897. To this day, Cyrano de Bergerac remains one of the most popular plays in France, and people all over the world still seek modern versions of this tale. Today’s artwork celebrates Rostand’s literary brilliance. More than a century later, his endearing tales continue to be performed and resonate with hopeless romantics all over the world. Location: , , , , Tags: , , , , , , ,
29.05.2022 12:00 Date: May 29, 2022 Location: Tags: , , , ,
29.05.2022 12:00 Date: May 29, 2022 Location: Tags: , , ,
28.05.2022 08:00 Date: May 28, 2022 Today’s Doodle celebrates Chiquito de la Calzada, a Spanish singer, actor, and stand-up comedian who left a lasting cultural impact in Spain. Born as Gregorio Esteban Sánchez Fernández on this day in 1932, Chiquito’s brilliant comedic style has widely influenced Spanish comedians and entertainers to this day. As children, Fernández and his two brothers grew up in poverty in post-Civil War Spain in La Calzada de la Trinidad. He began singing and dancing flamenco at eight years old to help feed his family. During this time he received his stage name, Chiquito de la Calzada. Fernández spent most of his adult life performing flamenco throughout Spain and abroad. After spending 54 years in the flamenco industry, his life took an unexpected turn when he crossed paths with a television producer named Tomás Summers at a restaurant. After overhearing Fernández tell jokes at a nearby table, Summers offered him a part in an upcoming comedy show airing on Antena 3, a major Spanish television station. The new show was called Genio y figura, and the production team thought Summers was making a mistake by casting an unknown 62-year-old man. Summers took a chance on Fernández anyway and he was sure glad he did. Soon after the show aired, Fernández transformed into an instant star. Spaniards from all walks of life found his comedic timing, clever puns, and exaggerated movements irresistibly funny. Over the next two decades, Fernández developed an original comedic style that continues to influence Spanish comedians and TV characters today. In 2019, the Ministry of Culture of Spain recognized his cultural impact by awarding him a Medalla de Oro al mérito en las Bellas Artes . Happy birthday, Chiquito de la Calzada! Location: Tags: , , , , , , , ,
27.05.2022 13:30 Date: May 27, 2022 Today’s Doodle honors Juana Alarco de Dammert, a children’s rights advocate and philanthropist who spearheaded the first social welfare program for mothers and children in Peru. Known as the grandmother of all children—la abuelita de los niños—she also helped establish the country’s first kindergartens and daycare centers. Born on this day in Lima in 1842, Dammert had a humanitarian spirit as a child, often volunteering with her father at the local hospital. After marrying a German businessman in 1861, Dammert and her husband moved to Europe as France was undergoing a major welfare reform. It inspired her to learn more about how governments can play an impactful role in protecting the lives of children. During this time, she became interested in the works of Firmin Marbeau, a French philanthropist who founded the modern concept of daycares, and Friedrich Froebel, a German philosopher who advocated for early childhood education. Armed with new ideas, Dammert returned to Peru in 1886—after the Chilean occupation ended—to help rebuild her war-torn country. Seeing the war had left many children without parents, Dammert helped create an orphanage for kids between the ages of seven and twelve. She also later established caring maternity crib institutions for the children of working mothers, opened the first daycare center in Peru, and established two schools that helped young children learn at their own pace. Dedicated to uplifting impoverished women, Dammert also trained and empowered young women in Lima to become teachers. Today, there are two schools and a park in Lima named in her honor. A bronze bust of Dammert has also been erected in her memory at Parque Neptuno. Every year, students in Lima gather at her sculpture to thank her and celebrate her life’s work. Happy birthday Juana Alarco! Children in Peru today are living better lives because of you. Location: Tags: , , , ,
27.05.2022 13:30 Date: May 27, 2022 Location: Tags: , , ,
26.05.2022 18:01 Date: May 27, 2022 Today’s Doodle illustrated by guest artist Dixon Patten—a traditional descendant from the Gunnai, Yorta Yorta, Gunditjmara, and Dhuduroa people—celebrates Indigenous Australian singer-songwriter, guitarist, actor, and advocate Dr. James “Jimmy” Oswald Little. Over an illustrious 60-year career, Little championed the music, health, and education of Indigenous Australian communities as a cultural ambassador and musical sensation. On this day in 2003, Little was awarded the Red Ochre Award for his lifelong contribution to the recognition of Indigenous arts in Australia and around the world. James Oswald Little was born to a Yorta Yorta mother and Yuin Monaro Father in 1937, on the Cummeragunja Mission Station, an Indigenous Australian reserve located in New South Wales. in 1955, Little left home to pursue his dreams of becoming a musician in Sydney. His recording career began the following year, and his breakout hit song “Royal Telephone” became the first song by an Indigenous Australian to hit number one on the pop music charts in 1963. “Royal Telephone” sold over 75,000 copies—a platinum achievement by today’s standards that earned him the title of Australian Pop Star of the Year in 1964. Little also began acting during this era and became a household name through national tours, radio playtime, and TV appearances into the 1970s. By the 1980s, Little began to use his influence to mentor Indigenous youth and advocate for literacy and health programs throughout the rest of his career. Little’s reinterpretations of contemporary hits released on over 29 albums earned him the title of one of the founding fathers of Australian country music, an achievement honored by his induction into Tamworth’s Country Music Roll of Renown. For his lifetime of advocacy for Indigenous peoples in Australia, he earned three honorary doctorates and was named a National Living Treasure. Today, his legacy lives on through the work of the Jimmy Little Foundation, an organisation he founded in 2006 with the aim of promoting health, education, and access to opportunity in Indigenous Australian communities. Special thanks to the family of Jimmy Little for their partnership on this project. Below, his family reflects on Little’s life, legacy, and today’s Doodle: Jimmy was a celebrated and beloved Australian Aboriginal musician, actor and advocate whose career spanned six decades. A Yorta Yorta man, he was born on Cummeragunja Mission but grew up on the south coast of NSW, from Nowra to Wallaga Lake. Jimmy recorded his first single in 1956 and rose to prominence as an Aboriginal entertainer throughout the 1960s, topped the charts and became a household name with “Royal Telephone” in 1963. In 1999, Jimmy received an ARIA award for Adult Contemporary album with Messenger, which reached the top 10 of the alternative music charts, introducing Jimmy to a new, younger audience. That same year, Jimmy was inducted into the ARIA Australian Music Hall of Fame. Throughout his illustrious career Jimmy received every major Australian music industry award, plus three honorary doctorates. Jimmy was the recipient of the National Aboriginal Day of Observance Committee’s 'Aboriginal of the Year' award in 1989, was named NSW Senior Australian of the Year in 2002, and received the Australia Council’s Red Ochre Award in 2004. He was awarded an AO for his continued work with Indigenous Health and Education programs, and in 2004, a public vote named him “a living Australian treasure.” Jimmy was the patron of The Indigenous Doctors Association of Australia, an ambassador for The Fred Hollows Foundation and Kidney Health Australia. Dr. Little was also an ambassador for literacy and numeracy with the Federal Department of Education Science and Training In 2006 Jimmy founded the Jimmy Little Foundation to improve renal health across Indigenous communities in regional and remote Australia. —Frances Peters-Little "I just want people to remember me as a nice person who was fair-minded and had a bit of talent that put it to good use." —Jimmy Little Jimmy Little at his first recording at EMI Records in 1956 Courtesy of the Jimmy Little Foundation Jimmy Little drinking water while completing work for the Jimmy Little Foundation Courtesy of the Jimmy Little’s Family Guest Artist Q&A with Dixon Patten Today’s Doodle was illustrated by Melbourne, Australia based guest artist Dixon Patten Jnr , a proud Yorta Yorta, Gunnai, Gunditjmara and Yuin, Aboriginal man. Below, he shares his thoughts behind the making of this Doodle: Q. Why was this topic meaningful to you personally? A: I personally have a connection to Uncle Jimmy, through both our Yorta Yorta and Yuin tribes. As I was growing up, his music was a constant among my families and my playlists. Q. What were your first thoughts when you were approached about working on this Doodle? A: I was amazed and humbled at the opportunity to characterise him, of course being twice my Countryman, I probably am on a small list of people that would be a perfect candidate to represent him culturally and respectfully. Q. Did you draw inspiration from anything in particular for this Doodle? A: Definitely his connection to Country, he sang about the land where his people come from, where I also am from. I listened to his music as I created this art, and I believe his harmonies influenced the outcome. The art acknowledges his connection to Yuin Country, coastal – salt water people and also Yorta Yorta Country – fresh water people. Umbarra is featured and is a tribal totem for the Yuin Nation. Bayaderra is also featured and is a tribal totem for the Yorta Yorta Nation. The colour palette honours the coastal waters of the Pacific Ocean, in particular Wallaga Lake and also the Murray River, in particular Cummeragunja – both sites are significant to Uncle Jimmy, his families and ancestors. Q. What message do you hope people take away from your Doodle? A: That Uncle Jimmy had a career in music that spanned 6 decades, hence him being represented in black & white as his younger version and colour as an older gentleman. That people take time to learn about his music and how his presence served as a bridge between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal people. He spoke and sang about his people often and gave a glimpse into Aboriginal culture and how important our connection to each other and the land is. He helped ‘humanise’ us at a time we were fighting for equal rights and self-determination. I also would like people to realise him as a true trailblazer and pioneer in music, being the primary Aboriginal entertainer in mainstream music for years and who I am sure inspired the many talented musicians within our communities, both Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal. We all know the healing power of music. His storytelling was always capturing, and his influence will live on. I encourage people to play his music and hear his messages, history, and experiences. The world needs more Uncle Jimmy’s. Location: Tags: , , , , , , , ,
26.05.2022 09:01 Date: May 26, 2022 Location: Tags: , , ,
26.05.2022 09:01 Date: May 26, 2022 Location: Tags: , , ,
26.05.2022 00:01 Date: May 26, 2022 Today's Doodle celebrates Georgia's Independence Day. On this day in 1918, the nation declared independence to establish the Democratic Republic of Georgia. Public addresses from national figures and an oath-taking ceremony at the capital city of Tbilisi kicks off Independence Day celebrations. Georgian’s attend concerts, parades and exhibits that commemorate Georgia's success and progress. Throughout the day, flags like the one in today’s Doodle, decorate buildings and the poles of soldiers as they march in a military parade. All over the country people have traditional Gerorgian feasts known as surpas, and each surpa is guided by a Tamada . To wash down the food, cups, often ram horns or porcelain replicas, are kept full at all times—a show of the kindness and hospitality Georgia is known for. Lift up your ram horns and give a cheers to Georgia on their Independence Day. Location: Tags: , , , ,
25.05.2022 05:31 Date: May 25, 2022 Today’s Doodle celebrates Jordan Independence Day, or Eid al-Istiklal. On this day in 1946, Jordan declared independence from British control and was recognized as the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan by the United Nations. The public holiday starts with an official national celebration, attended by the Royal Family government officials, military personnel and citizens of Jordan. Many senior officials give speeches to commemorate Jordan’s continued progress, followed by an awards ceremony dedicated to the accomplishments made by noteworthy individuals. A number of other events like a 21-gun salute in the capital city of Amman and a Presentation of Colors ceremony are held to mark another year of independence. Parades are orchestrated throughout the streets alongside large groups of drivers who race by and honk in cars covered in the national flag—like the one in today’s Doodle. Following tradition, many street merchants sell the national flag in bulk along with their usual wares. Happy Independence Day, Jordan! Location: Tags: , , , ,
23.05.2022 05:15 Date: May 23, 2022 Maria Konopnicka fought for women’s rights and Polish Independence with her pen. Today’s Doodle celebrates the acclaimed poet, author and activist’s 180th Birthday. Konopnicka was born on May 23rd, 1842 in Suwalki, Poland. When she was 12, her mother passed away, leaving her strict and patriotic father to raise three little girls. As a self-taught writer that craved innovative ideas, Konopnicka avidly read classic and contemporary literature. She was especially taken by the Polish Positivist writers, and their progressive ideals would later influence her work. In 1870, she made her debut as a poet and by 1876 her poems were being published in national journals, including her collection “In the Mountains,” which appeared in the well-respected Tygodnik Ilustrowany . A positive review by Nobel Prize laureate Henryk Sienkiewicz encouraged Konopnicka to keep writing. In 1877, Konopnicka moved to Warsaw with her children to be in the thick of Polish literary and intellectual life. She published four controversial, yet acclaimed volumes of poetry focusing on patriotism and providing a voice to the lower class over the next 15 years. Between 1884 and 1887, Konopnicka defied conservative criticism and censors while serving as an editor for the democratic women’s magazine Świt. Konopnicka never stopped challenging herself and also authored short stories, children’s books and translated French and German poetry into Polish. Her short stories, including "Nasza szkapa" and "Dym" , are considered to be among the best in Polish literature. In 1901, she took a break from her writing to help organize protests against the repressive measures taken by the Prussian government, which forced Polish children to speak in German at school. To celebrate the 25th anniversary of her literary and social work, Konopnicka was offered a house in Zarnowiec as a gift from the Polish nation. In 1973, the Maria Konopnicka Museum in Suwalki opened to memorialize her accomplishments. Millions of copies of her books have been printed and reprinted throughout Poland. Happy Birthday, Maria Konopnicka. Early drafts of the Doodle below Location: Tags: , , , , , , , , , , ,
22.05.2022 01:15 Date: May 22, 2022 Gama Pehlwan was widely considered one of best wrestlers of all time. Gama remained undefeated throughout his international matches and earned the name “The Great Gama.” Today’s Doodle—created by guest artist —celebrates Gama Pehlwan’s accomplishments in the ring but also the impact and representation he brought to Indian culture. Traditional wrestling in North India started to develop around the early 1900s. Lower class and working class migrants would compete in royal gymnasiums and gained national recognition when lavish tournaments were won. During these tournaments, spectators admired the wrestlers' physiques and were inspired by their disciplined lifestyle. Gama’s workout routine included 500 lunges and 500 pushups at only 10 years old. In 1888, he competed in a lunge contest with over 400 wrestlers from around the country and won. His success at the competition gained him fame throughout the royal states of India. It wasn’t until he turned 15 that he picked up wrestling. By 1910, people were reading Indian newspapers with headlines praising Gama as a national hero and world champion. Gama is also considered a hero for saving the lives of many Hindus during the partition of India in 1947. He spent the rest of his days until his death in 1960 in Lahore, which became a part of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan. Gama earned many titles during his career, notably the Indian versions of the World Heavyweight Championship and the World Wrestling Championship where he was bestowed with the title of “Tiger” after the tournament. He was even presented a silver mace by the Prince of Wales during his visit to India to honor the great wrestler. Gama’s legacy continues to inspire modern day fighters. Even Bruce Lee is a known admirer and incorporates aspects of Gama's conditioning into his own training routine! Happy 144th birthday, Gama Pehlwan! Location: , , , , , Tags: , , , , , , ,
