31.08.2022 13:45 Date: August 31, 2022 Today’s Doodle celebrates Trinidad & Tobago’s Independence Day. Depicted in today’s artwork, the Trinidad and Tobago national flag features a red field with a diagonal black stripe and white borders. On this day in 1962, the flag was raised for the first time when the twin island declared independence from Britain. After a series of islandwide strikes and riots led to universal adult suffrage in 1945, the British parliament passed the Trinidad and Tobago Independence Act of 1962. Dr. Eric Williams, widely considered the ‘Father of the Nation,’ became the country’s first prime minister and served until his death in 1981. Trinidadians and Tobagonians commemorate the day with open-air concerts and family outings. The day’s ceremonies kick off with an official Independence Day parade in the country’s capital, Port of Spain. Spectators dress in national colors and gather at Queen’s Park Savannah, the oldest recreational ground in the West Indies, while musicians play Trinbagonian music. Later in the day, a massive firework display takes place at the Savannah. Happy Independence Day, Trinidad & Tobago! Location: Tags: , , , , ,
31.08.2022 13:45 Date: August 31, 2022 Today’s Doodle celebrates the 93rd birthday of Peruvian author Julio Ramón Ribeyro. Considered one of the greatest Latin American short-story writers of all time, he provided powerful social criticism through the lens of fantasy. Ribeyro was born on this day in 1929 in Lima, Peru. He and his three siblings had a middle-class childhood until their father’s untimely death left the family in poverty. Ribeyro went on to study arts and law at the Pontifical Catholic University of Peru before publishing his first short story, The Grey Life, in Correo Bolivariano magazine in 1948. A few years later, the Institute of Hispanic Culture awarded him a journalism fellowship in Spain. Ribeyro published his most famous short story The Featherless Buzzards in 1955, which critics praised for capturing the harsh reality of life in Peruvian slums. After that, he briefly studied French literature at Sorbonne University before dropping out to work as a hotel doorman and factory worker to sustain his writing. In 1958, Ribeyro returned to Peru to become a professor at the National University of San Cristobal de Huamanga. Two years later, he finished his first novel Chronicle of San Gabriel. The book, which explores life in an isolated rural Peruvian community, immediately won a national prize. After the publication of his book, Ribeyro returned to Paris, where he worked as a journalist, translator and an editor at Agence France Presse over the next 10 years. In 1970, Ribeyro became a Peruvian cultural advisor and later an ambassador to UNESCO. Despite his busy schedule as a diplomat, Ribeyro continued writing. By the end of his career, he had published eight volumes of short stories and several novels, essays and plays. His work has been translated into multiple languages. In 1994, he won the prestigious Juan Rulfo Prize for Literature. Happy 93rd birthday, Julio Ramón Ribeyro! Your powerful writing continues to change people’s perceptions of the world. Location: , , , , , , , Tags:
30.08.2022 18:45 Date: August 31, 2022 Today’s Doodle celebrates Hari Merdeka, also known as Malaysia Independence Day! On this day in 1957, the Malayan Declaration of Independence was passed to signal the day Malaysia gained freedom from British rule. In 1956, the first Malaysian Prime Minister Tunku Abdul Rahman led a group of ministers and other political leaders to negotiate independence with the British government. An agreement was eventually reached between both parties. A year later, on the night of August 30, 1957, more than 20,000 people gathered at Merdeka Square in Kuala Lumpur to witness the official Proclamation of Independence. At the stroke of midnight on August 31, 1957, the Malaysian national flag, like the one waving in today’s Doodle, was raised to commemorate the moment and the national anthem was played. The country’s leaders also led a patriotic chant, where a resounding “Merdeka!” was shouted seven times in a row. Celebrations usually start at the beginning of August with various national programs, performances and competitions. Every year, several Malaysian states take turns hosting the national Merdeka parade, which boasts colorful floats and nighttime concerts featuring local celebrities. Meanwhile, a flagship parade usually takes place each year in the capital city of Kuala Lumpur. Happy Independence Day, Malaysia! Selamat Hari Merdeka! Location: Tags: , , , ,
27.08.2022 05:01 Date: August 27, 2022 Today’s Doodle celebrates the Republic of Moldova’s Independence Day. On this day in 1991, Moldova left the Soviet Union and became a sovereign nation. Moldovans typically commemorate the day with fireworks, street celebrations and family gatherings. At the Great National Assembly Square in the nation’s capital Chișinău, citizens enjoy an annual patriotic concert and military parade. The Moldovan president and other high-ranking officials also participate in a wreath-laying ceremony before the president addresses the nation. Depicted in today’s artwork, Moldova’s blue, yellow and red national flag decorates buildings and homes across the country. The flag has a central coat of arms featuring an eagle holding a golden scepter and an olive branch that symbolizes peace. The shield on the eagle depicts an auroch, a prehistoric ox that has become the national symbol of Moldova. People wind down the special day by sitting down to enjoy a traditional meal like mamaliga, a cornmeal porridge served with butter and sour cream, and sipping world-famous Moldovan wines. Happy Independence Day, Moldova! Location: Tags: , , , ,
25.08.2022 05:15 Date: August 25, 2022 Today’s Doodle celebrates Uruguay's National Day, or Día de la Independencia, which marks the end of Brazilian rule in 1825. Three years after Uruguay declared independence, conflicts ended when Brazil finally recognized the country’s sovereignty in 1828. Uruguayans have been celebrating their freedom ever since. Uruguay’s independence has been hard-won. Since the start of the 19th century, Uruguayan people have survived the control of several colonizing powers—from England, to Spain, to Portugal and Brazil—in a short span of time. Uruguayans make the most out of commemorating this special holiday by beginning festivities the night before. Known as the Night of Nostalgia, it is tradition for dance halls, music venues and radio stations across the country to play old pop, rock and disco tunes on the evening of the 24th. The next day, people celebrate by enjoying patriotic ceremonies, national anthem recitals and a grand display of fireworks. As pictured in today’s artwork, Uruguayan flags can be seen flying through city streets throughout the holiday. Happy Independence Day, Uruguay! Location: Tags: , , , ,
24.08.2022 01:30 Date: August 24, 2022 Today’s Doodle, illustrated by Kharkiv-based artist , honors Independence Day in Ukraine. On this day in 1991, Ukrainian politicians signed the Act of Declaration of Independence and displayed their national flag within the session hall of the Verkhovna Rada building, signaling its freedom from the Soviet Union. The national holiday remembers all who’ve given their lives for their country, including those still fighting to this day. On December 1, 1991, a national referendum saw a resounding 92% of citizens vote in favor of independence. Over 31 years of freedom, the country has achieved several social, economic and political milestones. The blue and yellow national flag represents Ukraine’s vast sky, beautiful streams and golden wheat fields. These bright colors inspire its citizens to remember they are a freedom-loving, brave, vibrant and united people. Today’s Doodle artwork represents the national symbols of Ukraine, featuring a trident often interpreted as a falcon and the country’s coat of arms. This year’s Independence Day holds particular significance as Ukraine continues its struggle against the ongoing Russian invasion Location: Tags: , , , , ,
23.08.2022 07:45 Date: August 23, 2022 Coccinelle was a pioneer for the LGBTQ+ community and the first French person to undergo gender-affirming surgery. Today’s Doodle celebrates the singer, entertainer and activist’s 91st birthday. Jacqueline-Charlotte Dufresnoy was born on August 23, 1931 in Paris. Designated male at birth, she grew up with a deep, inner sense of being a female, along with interests in fashion and performance. After wearing a red dress with black polka dots to a party, a teenage Jacqueline earned the nickname Coccinelle, or ladybug in English. In 1953, Coccinelle made her stage debut at Madame Arthur, a cabaret venue in Paris, performing a song from the film Premier rendez-vous. She earned a role at Le Carrousel de Paris, a popular music hall with many transgender performers, where her talent and stage presence captivated audiences. Coccinelle became the first French celebrity to undergo gender-affirming surgery at a clinic in Casablanca in 1958. It was illegal to wear clothing not associated with one’s assigned gender in France at the time, and the publicity surrounding her surgery put a spotlight on LGBTQ+ rights. After returning to France, Coccinelle quickly became an international icon. Her cabaret show toured across the world, including Europe and South America. She also began acting in films like Europa Di Notte in 1959 and Los Viciosos in 1962. In 1960, Coccinelle got married in a Catholic wedding ceremony, under the condition that she get rebaptized beforehand. Unprecedented legally and religiously, her marriage established transgender people’s right to marry in France. While continuing to perform, she founded the organization Devenir Femme, which provided support for transgender individuals seeking gender-affirming surgery. She also helped organize the Center for Aid, Research, and Information for Transsexuality and Gender Identity. In 1987, she published a self-titled autobiography that detailed her transition and career on stage. Coccinelle’s legacy lives on in her work as people all over the world continue to enjoy her music and films. Happy 91st birthday, Coccinelle! Location: , , , , , , Tags: , , , , , , , , ,
22.08.2022 21:45 Date: August 23, 2022 Today’s Doodle celebrates the 104th birthday of Indian physicist and meteorologist Anna Mani, one of the country’s first female scientists. Her life’s work and research made it possible for India to make accurate weather forecasts, and laid the groundwork for the nation to harness renewable energy. Born on this day in 1918, Mani grew up in the former state of Travancore . She spent her formative years immersed in books. By age 12, Mani had read almost every book at her public library! She remained an avid reader all her life. After high school, she did her Intermediate Science course at Women’s Christian College and went on to complete a Bachelor of Science with honours in physics and chemistry from Presidency College, Madras. After graduation, she taught at WCC for a year and won a scholarship for post-graduate studies at the Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore. Here, under the guidance of Nobel Laureate Sir C. V. Raman, she studied spectroscopy, specializing in diamonds and rubies. Between 1942 and 1945, she published five papers, completed her Ph.D. dissertation, and began a graduate program at Imperial College, London, where she learned to specialize in meteorological instrumentation. She began working for the India Meteorological Department upon her return to India in 1948, where she helped the country design and manufacture its own weather instruments. She excelled so much in this male-dominated field that by 1953, she became head of the division. Under her leadership, more than 100 weather instrument designs were simplified and standardized for production. Mani was also an early advocate of alternative energy sources. Throughout the 1950s, she established a network of solar radiation monitoring stations and published several papers on sustainable energy measurement. Mani later became Deputy Director General of India Meteorological Department, and held several key positions in the United Nations World Meteorological Organization. In 1987, she won the INSA K. R. Ramanathan Medal for her remarkable contributions to science. After her retirement, she was appointed as a Trustee of the Raman Research Institute in Bangalore. She also founded a company that manufactured solar and wind energy devices. Happy 104th birthday, Anna Mani! Your life’s work inspired brighter days for this world. Location: , , , , , , Tags:
22.08.2022 12:15 Date: August 22, 2022 Today’s Doodle celebrates the life of Cláudia Celeste, the first trangender actress to appear in Brazilian telenovelas. She won and organized many beauty pageants, and was also a singer, dancer, director, producer and author. Despite the obstacles and challenges she faced, Celeste became an inspiring figure who opened the door for future generations of trangender and LGBTQ+ talent in Brazil. On this day in 1988, was the first time Cláudia appeared in a role as an openly trans woman in the opening episode of "Olho por Olho". Celeste was born in Brazil in 1952. She started exploring her identity and talents while in the army. After serving, she earned her beauty diploma and became a hairdresser in Copacabana, Rio de Janeiro when she was 20. According to her, daily life working at the salon inspired her decision to transition. That same year, she accompanied a friend to a theater audition and was chosen to perform as well. She made her debut as a dancer on the stage of Beco de Garrafas. In 1973, a theater in Rio de Janeiro called Teatro Rival became the first to obtain a government license to perform “O mundo é das Bonecas”. Celeste was invited as a lead alongside other well-known transgender actors. After the show’s success, other productions recognized her talents and provided opportunities to dance throughout many nightclubs in Brazil. In 1976, Celeste decided to compete in the Miss Brazil Pop pageant and won the contest. One year later, she was invited to act in a soap opera called "Magic Mirror" after its director saw one of her performances at the Teatro Rival. No one in the cast or crew knew she was transgender, and headlines drew negative attention to the news after her first scene. The show was canceled soon after, and she moved to Europe to pursue other opportunities. Upon returning to Brazil, Celeste auditioned to star in a soap opera called "Olho por Olho" and won the role over 200 others. Her commitment to the character was unmatched, constantly giving her valuable opinion on the script and narrative. Although she faced discrimination being ousted from the cast when her trans identity was "found out" my management, she pushed forward into new opportunities for the rest of her career, cementing her legacy as a pioneer who fought for the rights of transgender and LGBTQ+ performers everywhere. Location: Tags: , , , ,
20.08.2022 23:01 Date: August 21, 2022 Today’s Doodle celebrates what would have been Azah Aziz’s 94th birthday. She spent her life contributing to the preservation of Malaysian art and tradition. Given her legacy, Aziz was named Tokoh Budayawan Melayu or figure of Malaysian culture. Aziz was born in Singapore in 1928. Her keen interest in language, culture and the arts had been nurtured by her mother, Azizah, who was from a distinguished Johor family and a pioneer in domestic science studies. Aziz inherited a fine collection of early Malay textiles and garments from her mother which fueled her passion for the culture that lasted throughout her life and paved the way to becoming a respected Malay culture expert. Aziz became a secretary for a newspaper editor-in-chief, eventually moving up the ladder in the field of journalism. She started Akaz, her own publishing company, where she elevated Malaysian arts and contributed to a number of publications including Malaysia's first Malay daily afternoon tabloid Harian Metro and Malaysia’s oldest newspaper New Straits Times. Aziz also published books as well as children’s songs and poems, becoming the first woman in Malaysia to do so. By the end of her 10 year career as a journalist, she founded the Malaysian Women's Journalists Association and became the president of the National Writers Association of Malaysia. In addition to her work as a writer, Aziz was a pioneer for women’s rights. She championed salary equality, separate taxes for working wives, Muslim family amendments and later founded the Islamic Women's Action Organization. Throughout the years, she collected antique garments and fabrics from the old Malay world. With her in-depth knowledge of costume, jewelry and textiles, she lectured about and introduced Malay culture to art festivals and international seminars. Additionally, she wrote a book on the subject titled Rupa dan gaya: Busana Melayu . She spent her life elevating Malaysian customs so its culture could continue to thrive around the world. For preserving Malay heritage, Aziz was awarded an honorary Doctorate degree of arts and education. Happy birthday, Azah Aziz! You uplifted the status of Malay traditions and will always be remembered for your contributions as a cultural icon. Pictured: Azah Aziz in her younger days Photo credit: Courtesy of Tan Sri Dr. Zeti Aziz Pictured: Azah Aziz Photo credit: Courtesy of Pahang State Museum Corporation Special thanks to the family of Azah Aziz for their partnership on this project. Below, her family shares their thoughts on Aziz’s legacy. “I grew up with a very close relationship with my mother. All throughout my career, she was very supportive. Without her support, I would’ve never been able to have the career that I did. She was everything to all of us and now that she’s not here, we miss her immensely. She was a fighter, with a very strong passion for the issues that she believed in. Growing up, she was very liberal in her thinking on many issues and wrote passionately about it for women’s rights, children’s rights, but I wouldn’t describe her as a feminist but rather more as an advocate of women’s issues and those issues relating to children. As a little girl, I remember her interest in writing. She wrote about textiles, costumes and how they would be worn, and about cultural heritage. She believed, like if you wanted to wear a modern outfit, you should always wear it, whether it’s the Western modern outfit or from any other country, but you shouldn’t change the structure of your own traditional clothes to preserve and conserve its originality. Her book is so meaningful and what is unique about her work is, although many people had written about textiles and costumes of the region but none of them had integrated the classics and poetry that were written hundred of years ago, that have made reference to these textiles and costumes, giving us a very deep insights into the beauty and special distinct element relating to these exquisite and resplendent textiles. I want the world to know about the Malay cultural heritage embodied in the textiles and costumes that I had the book translated into English and it will be soon published, and the intention is for it to be widely distributed. Her collection will also be gifted to a museum on textiles, costumes and accessories so that Malaysians and the world can share this wonderful heritage through her eyes and see how beautiful it is and how it should be appreciated, better understood and cherished so that it can be preserved, for it has survived many hundreds of years, it needs to continue to do so for future generations!” - Tan Sri Dr. Zeti Aziz, Azah's daughter “If you ask me about my grandmother, the first thing I would say is she had a great sense of humor and wit! Fantastic warm laughter that I can still recall. When I was a young boy I remember that she taught me how to play congkak, card games and classic board games like monopoly. I miss her cooking but most of all I miss her company and how we shared great adventures traveling overseas.” – Alif Ayman, Azah's grandson “The two most important things to Atok were her family and her country. She was brave, assertive and extremely proud to be Malaysian. During every car ride she would teach me a new pantun. She also had the best stories, from the witty banter with Muhammad Ali to meeting the first female astronaut in Moscow. Atok was a warm and loving grandma who I truly miss.. she also made the best fried eggs that were ever so fluffy and crispy!” – Aziz Ayman, Azah's grandson Location: Tags: , , , , , , , , ,
20.08.2022 23:01 Date: August 17, 2022 Today’s Doodle, illustrated by Bandung-based guest artist celebrates Indonesia Independence Day. Indonesia officially declared independence on this day in 1945. Indonesians commemorate the day with parades, carnivals and marching bands. Across the country, the red and white national colors decorate homes and streets in forms of flags and ornaments. The national flag hoisting ceremony, attended by Indonesia's president, is held at the State Palace and kicks off the day’s festivities. Following the broadcasted event, the Independence Day ceremony at Merdeka Palace features public figures, national heroes, and veterans in attendance. Boat races —like the one featured in today’s artwork—are one of Independence Day’s most popular traditions. The Pacu Jalur Festival hosts the biggest race in the country. After song and dance performances, more than one hundred vibrantly decorated boats row down the Batang Kuantan River. Teams of up to sixty people dress in traditional dance costumes as onlookers gather on the riverbanks. As a maritime country, Pacu Jalur festival is one of the many traditions that teaches the importance of teamwork. A message that is aligned with Indonesia's national motto, Bhinekka Tunggal Ika . Happy Independence Day, Indonesia! Location: Tags: , , , ,
20.08.2022 23:01 Date: August 16, 2022 “I care for myself by accepting others' care for me. Often I struggle to shoulder a burden on my own, and forget that I have so many people, like my mom, who care about me and want to help me. Opening up and letting others support me not only relieves my stress—it lets me tackle things I could never do on my own.” Sophie’s Doodle was inspired by her relationship with her mother. During the pandemic, when isolation and loneliness started to get to her, Sophie was able to reach out to her mom and receive valuable support, comfort and encouragement. Sophie hopes her Doodle will remind people that they are not alone, even in the toughest of times. Pictured: Sophie celebrates being named a state winner at her school. As the U.S. 2022 Doodle for Google contest national winner, Sophie wins a $30,000 college scholarship and a $50,000 technology package for her school. Cheers to Sophie! And thank you again to the thousands of students across the U.S. who shared their self-care strategies with us! Interested in being a part of Doodle for Google 2023? Be sure to for updates around the 2023 contest, set to open submissions again this winter. Location: , , Tags: , ,
20.08.2022 23:01 Date: August 16, 2022 Noh is a sophisticated and mysterious artform of traditional Japanese theater where performers act, dance, chant and play instruments while dressed in elegant masks and elaborate costumes. Today’s Doodle celebrates the life and 120th birthday of Tsumura Kimiko, a Japanese actor and playwright who was one of the first female figures in the world of Noh. She broke down barriers in the once male-dominated artform and introduced new artistic values through her plays. Tsumura was born in Akashi, Japan on this day in 1902. At a young age, Tsumura chose to pursue traditional theater after falling in love with playwriting. This was going to be a challenge since girls in Tokyo in the early 1900s were taught lessons in Noh but were excluded from professional productions. When she was seventeen, Tsumura’s life took a drastic turn when she became a student of Kanze Kasetsu, an established actor. During her studies, Tsumura learned and memorized all two hundred classical Noh plays by heart. She was then given the opportunity to travel to Busan, Korea and teach, eventually building her reputation as a skilled instructor. At nineteen, she made her first public performance on stage. News of this performance reached her homeland and shocked the Nohgaku Association, which mediated and oversaw all Noh performances in Japan. Tsumura was ordered not to contact the association, and her teacher-student relationship with Kasetsu ended abruptly. Unable to give up on her dream, Tsumura sought to master every aspect of the artform and opened up her own school, Ryokusen-Kai, when she returned to Japan in 1925. For the next fifty years, she wrote and performed several of her own plays, traveling back and forth between Japan and Korea. Many of her students became esteemed performers and continued her legacy of love and admiration for the artform. Tsumura paved the way for generations of female Noh actors to come, and her work is still celebrated and recognized today. Happy birthday, Tsumura Kimiko! Location: Tags: , , , , ,
20.08.2022 23:01 Date: August 15, 2022 Location: Tags: , , ,
20.08.2022 23:01 Date: August 15, 2022 Today’s Doodle, illustrated by Kerala-based guest artist , celebrates India’s 75th Independence Day. On this day in 1947, India officially became a democratic country—ending nearly two hundred years of British rule. The lengthy struggle for freedom resulted in the birth of the largest democracy in the world. Heroic freedom fighters, such as Mahatma Gandhi, led the country’s independence movement through civil disobedience and nonviolent protests. On August 15, 1947, the Indian national flag was raised for the first time at the Red Fort in Delhi. The biggest annual celebration takes place at the Red Fort in Delhi, where the Prime Minister raises the saffron, white and green national flag in synchronization with a 21-gun salute. After the Prime Minister delivers his televised speech, a patriotic parade honors members of the Indian armed forces and police. People also celebrate by flying kites—a longstanding symbol of independence. Indian revolutionaries once flew kites with slogans to protest British rule. Since then, recreational and competitive kite flying have become one of Independence Day’s most popular traditions. Indians also commemorate the day by spending time with loved ones and hosting cultural programmes in neighborhoods and schools. Happy Independence Day, India! Guest Artist Q&A with Neethi Today’s Doodle was illustrated by Kerala-based guest artist . Below, she shares thoughts behind the making of this Doodle: Q. What was your creative process for this Doodle? A: One of our fondest memories, the age-old tradition of kite-flying has been integral to the Indian Independence Day festivities. My artwork depicts the culture around kites- from the craft of creating bright beautiful kites to the cheerful experience of a community coming together. The vast expanse of sky brightly speckled with soaring kites is a colorful symbol of the great heights we have achieved. The GIF animation adds dynamism and brings the doodle alive. Q. Did you draw inspiration from anything in particular for this Doodle? Are there specific elements of the artwork that have symbolic meaning? A: Kites are also an outlet for artistic expression- many of them carry trendy motifs or even social messages. I have drawn kites depicting our national colors, a message of love and commemorating the 75 years of Indian independence. They fly as high as skyscrapers, birds and I'd like to believe the sun! Location: Tags:
