31.03.2023 04:15 Date: March 31, 2023 Today’s Doodle celebrates the 106th birthday of Thai author Juntree Siriboonrod, widely regarded as the “father of Thai science fiction”. Siriboonrod was born on this day in 1917. Not much is known about his childhood. Super fans might suspect he traveled from an alternate universe or warded off aliens from the crib, but — in true science fiction fashion — no one knows his origin story for sure! He initially worked for the Thai government as a civil servant in the Department of Ministry Fuels. After taking a job as a high school science teacher, Siriboonrod started writing science-focused articles and stories. In 1945, Siriboonrod collaborated with the Science Society of Thailand to write Witthayasat Mahatsachan, a Thai science magazine. He wrote everything from science fiction to scientist’s biographies until his resignation in 1959. During this time, he published Phu Dap Duang Athit, or The Man Who Put Out the Sun, a collection of fantastical, science-fiction short stories that is still celebrated across Thailand today. In 2005, the Science Society of Thailand and the Science Writers and Publishers Forum established the Juntree Siriboonrod Award in his honor. The award celebrates achievements in the field of Thai science fiction, and serves as a reminder of Siriboonrod’s literary impact. Location: Tags:
30.03.2023 18:46 Date: March 31, 2023 Today’s Doodle celebrates the 97th birthday of Satoshi Kako, a Japanese author and illustrator who created children’s books that are read to this day. He wrote over 600 stories, and his engineering and scientific background inspired him to add a unique spin to make each tale educational, enjoyable, and stimulating for Japanese youth. Kako, whose real name was Satoshi Nakajima, was born on this day in 1926 in Kunitaka Village of the Fukui Prefecture. As a boy, he was surrounded by other talented kids who encouraged him to take up drawing. Kako studied chemistry at Tokyo Imperial University and graduated in 1948. While in school, he joined a theater study group and began writing scripts and designing stage sets for children’s plays. He got a job at a major Japanese chemical company and organized puppet shows and traditional kamishibai performances for his colleagues’ children. Fueled by the smiles in the small audiences and praises from coworkers, Kako wrote his debut children’s book in 1959 titled Damu no Ojisan-Tachi about how dams are useful to society. He continued to create masterpiece works throughout the next three decades. Kako is most known for the Daruma-chan series about Little Daruma, a boy who goes on countless adventures and makes new friends along the way. He also wrote many stories that taught kids about everyday topics like brushing their teeth, traditional Japanese games, baking, and more. Throughout his long career as an author, Kako won many awards like the Takahashi Gozan Special Award in 1985, the Japanese Science Reading Award in 1991, and the Kanagawa Culture Award in 2009. From beakers to books and test tubes to tales, Satoshi Kako’s life was a page turner. Happy birthday! Location: Tags:
29.03.2023 05:45 Date: March 29, 2023 Today’s Doodle celebrates the 71st birthday of Brazilian actor, drag queen, comedian, and dancer Jorge Lafond. Jorge Luiz Souza Lima was born in Rio de Janeiro on this day in 1952. Jorge realized he was gay at a very young age, and tried to hide it in his adolescence. What he never disguised was his love for dancing. He studied classical ballet and African Dance, and later graduated in performing arts from the Federal University of the State of Rio de Janeiro. He began dancing at nightclubs and cabarets, then toured the United States and several countries in Europe with a folk group he belonged to for 10 years. In 1974, he landed one of his first TV jobs and became a dancer for the Globo TV program Fantástico. After his television break, he went on to appear in various programs including Viva o Gordo, the soap opera Sassaricando, and the telenovela Kananga do Japan. With his rising popularity on television shows, he was soon casted in several films and received praise for his roles in Rio Babilônia, Sonhei com Você, and Bar Esperança. Lafond began openly practicing his drag artistry in 1992 on the SBT program A Praça é Nossa as the character Vera Verão. The humorous Vera put Jorge in the spotlight, but he sometimes wasn’t invited to show up as his full authentic self. Many spaces did not welcome Jorge as an openly gay man who wore non-traditional clothing. Nonetheless, Lafond was a trailblazer who introduced new identity representation into the culture which helped break down traditional, homophobic ways of thinking. He was and continues to be a role model for other gay in South America and around the world. He showed off his dance, fashion, and comedy skills and never apologized for being outside of anyone’s expectations about what an entertainer should be. Happy birthday, Jorge Lafond! Thank you for showing us all how to show up in the world as our true selves. Location: Tags:
28.03.2023 20:30 Date: March 29, 2023 Today’s handsewn Doodle celebrates the 169th birthday of Sundanese author and scholar Lasminingrat who paved the way for future generations of Indonesian women. Raden Ayu Lasminingrat was born on this day in 1854 in Garut, Indonesia to Raden Ayu Ria and Raden Haji Muhamad Musa, a pioneer of Sundanese printed literature and scholar. In order to pursue her education in Sumedang, she had to be separated from her family and was left under the care of her father’s friend Levyson Norman. He helped to teach her Dutch and contributed to Lasminingrat becoming the first Indonesian woman to be fluent in writing and reading Dutch during her time. After becoming proficient in writing and speaking Dutch, Lasminigrat dreamed of advancing equality for all Indonesian women. Lasminingrat used her literacy skills to adapt European fairy tales into Sundanese. Under her father’s guidance she started to educate Indonesian children in 1879. She read adapted books aloud, and taught basic moral education and psychology. Her work provided schooling to native Indonesian children and exposed them to international cultures. She continued to translate books into Sundanese, including Warnasari volumes 1 and 2, which were widely celebrated throughout Indonesia. In 1907, Lasminingrat founded the Sekolaha Keutamaan Istri. The open environment and learning area promoted women’s empowerment, reading, and writing. The school grew to 200 students and 5 classes, and was recognized by the Dutch East Indies government in 1911. With time, the school continued to grow and by 1934 expanded to other cities such as Wetan Garut, Cikajang, and Bayongbong. Thank you, Lasminingrat for dedicating your life to empowering Indonesian women and being a pioneer in women's education. Check out the behind-the-scenes process for today’s Doodle artwork Doodle sketch Sewing base layer Multi-layered sewn design Location: Tags:
28.03.2023 00:15 Date: March 28, 2023 Today’s Doodle celebrates Justine Siegemund, a midwife who dared to challenge patriarchal attitudes in the 17th century. She was the first person in Germany to write a book on obstetrics from a woman’s perspective. On this day in 1690, the European University Viadrina Frankfurt certified her book, The Court Midwife, as an official medical textbook. During a time when few women had access to formal education, Siegemund became the first woman to publish a seminal medical text in German. Siegemund was born in 1636 in Rohnstock, Lower Silesia. As a young woman, she had a prolapsed uterus that ill-informed midwives misdiagnosed as pregnancy. This frustrating experience inspired her to become a midwife herself and improve obstetrical education. After an apprenticeship, Siegemund began her career in midwifery by offering free services to underprivileged women. She soon became known for her ability to safely guide women through difficult births, and word spread quickly to expecting women across the country. Siegemund accepted an official position as the City Midwife of Lignitz in 1683 and later became the Court Midwife in Berlin, where she delivered children for the royal family. She also published The Court Midwife during this time and greatly improved maternal and infant health in Germany. Up until then, German midwives largely passed down their knowledge through oral traditions. There wasn’t a standardized way to document safe birth practices. The Court Midwife was the first to offer a comprehensive guide on childbirth in Germany. Thank you Justine Siegemund for setting the foundation for modern childbirth education! Your legacy still inspires physicians to take a page out of your book — to make labor and delivery safer for all. Justine’s published medical drawings in The Court Midwife Location: , , , , , , , , , Tags:
25.03.2023 21:00 Date: March 26, 2023 Today’s Doodle celebrates Bangladesh’s Independence Day. On this day in 1971, the South-Asian country declared its independence and officially became an independent nation later that same year. Independence Day kicks off with a thirty-one gun salute to honor those who fought for Bangladesh’s freedom. After political ceremonies and parades pulse through the capital city of Dhaka, many gather to watch fireworks light up the night sky. Citizens celebrate the national holiday by donning the Bangladesh colors of red and green. Depicted in today’s artwork, the flag decorates homes and buildings throughout the country. Its central red circle and green background represent a sun rising across the natural beauty of Bangladesh’s landscape. Happy Independence Day, Bangladesh! Location: Tags:
25.03.2023 00:46 Date: March 25, 2023 Today’s Doodle celebrates National Day, or Independence Day, in Greece! On this day in 1821, the Greek people started their fight for freedom against the Ottoman Empire. Every year, citizens take the day off and gather to watch parades throughout the country. School children march through the streets dressed in national colors, and wave the Greek flag around to show their pride. On National Day, almost all businesses are closed except for the famous Acropolis Museum. Many enjoy bakalarios skordalia, or deep-fried cod served with mashed potatoes and garlic dip, which is a traditional dish synonymous with the holiday. Happy National Day, Greece! Location: Tags:
23.03.2023 18:30 Date: March 24, 2023 Today’s Doodle, illustrated by Washington DC-based, deaf guest artist celebrates the 77th birthday of Kitty O’Neil, once crowned the “the fastest woman in the world.” Kitty was a legendary American stunt performer, daredevil, and rocket-powered vehicle driver who was deaf since childhood. O’Neil was born on this day in 1946 to a Cherokee Native American mother and Irish father in Corpus Christi, Texas. When she was just a few months old, she contracted multiple diseases which led to an intense fever that ultimately left her deaf. She learned various communication modes and adapted for different audiences throughout her life, ultimately preferring speaking and lip reading mostly. O’Neil refused to see her deafness as a roadblock, often referring to it as an asset. She later found a love for diving, but a wrist injury and illness ended her chances of competing. However, she remained committed to fulfill her dream of becoming a professional athlete. O’Neil began experimenting with high-speed sports like water skiing and motorcycle racing. A true action-lover, she also performed dangerous acts such as falling from daunting heights while set on fire and jumping from helicopters. In the late 70s, she made it onto the big screen as a stunt double for films and TV series including The Bionic Woman , Wonder Woman , and The Blues Brothers . She was the first woman to join Stunts Unlimited, an organization for Hollywood’s top stunt performers. In 1976, O’Neil was crowned “the fastest woman alive” after zooming across the Alvord Desert at 512.76 miles per hour! She drove a rocket-powered car called the Motivator and surpassed the previous women’s land-speed record by almost 200 mph. Once she broke the women’s record by a landslide, it became evident that she could likely beat the men’s mark too. Unfortunately, her sponsors did not allow her to break the overall record as it threatened the status quo — they wanted to reserve the feat for a male driver. Legal action to fight this failed and O’Neil was never given the opportunity to break the overall record. However, this didn’t hold her back from going on to break records piloting jet-powered boats and rocket dragsters. A biopic about O’Neil’s life, titled Silent Victory: The Kitty O’Neil Story, was released in 1979 and recaps the impressive Alvord Desert feat. Thank you for inspiring us all to race towards our dreams, Kitty! Location: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , Tags:
22.03.2023 12:45 Date: March 22, 2023 Today’s Doodle celebrates the 150th birthday of Julieta Lanteri, an Italian Argentine doctor and the first woman to vote in Argentina and South America. She was a staunch advocate for women’s rights and worked tirelessly to improve healthcare. Lanteri was born on this day in Italy in 1873. Her family emigrated to Argentina when she was six years old. She became the first woman to attend the National School of La Plata, then studied pharmacology at the University of Buenos Aires. She earned her medical degree in 1907 — she was one of the first five woman to do so in Argentina! For the next 13 years, Lanteri regularly traveled to Europe to work in hospitals and learn about healthcare for women and children. Beyond her skills as a physician, Lanteri was also a suffragette. In 1910, she helped organize the first International Women’s Congress. The following year, she gained Argentine citizenship and became the first woman to vote in South America when she casted a ballot for the Deliberative Council elections. After this monumental achievement, the Electoral Law was changed to require military service — only men were allowed to enlist. Despite the constant obstacles she faced, Lanteri did not back down. She created her own political party, the National Feminist Union, and ran for the position of National Deputy from 1919 to 1932. The party’s platform stood for universal suffrage, gender equality, fair working conditions, childcare support, maternity benefits, and more. Argentine women were finally granted the official right to vote in 1947. Although she couldn’t witness it with her own eyes, Lanteri’s contributions undoubtedly helped make this dream a reality. Her fierce determination is remembered far and wide throughout South America. Happy birthday, Julieta Lanteri! Location: , , , , , , Tags:
22.03.2023 02:45 Date: March 22, 2023 Today’s Doodle celebrates French mime artist Marcel Marceau. The actor and master of silence was born on this day in 1923 in Strasbourg, France with the name Marcel Mangel. During the German occupation of France, he changed his surname to Marceau to avoid being identified as Jewish. In his childhood, Marceau was introduced to movies and dreamed of starring in silent films. He entertained his friends with impersonations of famous actors and mimes and would later use his silent acting skills to help smuggle Jewish children out of Nazi-occupied France. His pantomimes were used to keep children quiet during dangerous moments on the journey to the Switzerland border. Marceau made three of these trips and liberated at least 70 children during World War II. After the war, Marceau studied dramatic acting and mime at the School of Dramatic Art of the Sarah Bernhardt Theatre in Paris. In 1947, he began playing his famous character Bip the Clown, a tragicomic figure with a striped shirt, white face paint, and a battered beflowered hat. Bip explored the range of human emotions and his actions spoke louder than words could. Soon after, he founded the Compagnie de Mime Marcel Marceau, the only pantomime company in the world at the time, to develop the art of silence. Marceau performed in transcontinental tours and introduced people around the world to the art of miming. Millions more would become familiar with Marceau through his television and movie appearances. He played the role of Scrooge in A Christmas Carol in 1973 and earned an Emmy for Best Specialty Act for his 1956 appearance on the Max Liebman Show of Shows. Some of his stand-out performances in the motion picture realm include the 17 roles he played in the film First Class and his silent role in Shanks. Beyond his acting talent, Marceau also directed a mime drama and published two children's books. Happy birthday, Marcel Marceau, you specialized in silence but continue to leave audiences roaring with laughter. Location: , , , , , , , , , , Tags:
20.03.2023 22:00 Date: March 21, 2023 As winter fades, and the northern hemisphere begins to thaw, it's time to celebrate Nowruz. Today's Doodle highlights this ancient holiday that marks the beginning of spring. More than 300 million people gather around the world on this day each year to celebrate the season of rebirth. Today’s Doodle artwork represents this theme with Spring flowers — tulips, hyacinths, daffodils, and bee orchids. Did you know the United Nations recognizes Nowruz as an international holiday? That’s because families celebrate this joyful festival across the Middle East, the South Caucasus, the Black Sea Basin, and Northern, Western, Central, and South Asia. In many cultures, Nowruz also marks the beginning of a new year — a time to reflect on the past, set intentions for the future, and strengthen relationships with loved ones. Some common traditions include: Decorating eggs to honor new life, tidying up your home to prepare for a fresh start, and feasting on spring vegetables and herbs. Happy Nowruz to all who celebrate! May your new year be filled with love, peace, and renewed hope. Location: , , , , , , , , , , , Tags:
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20.03.2023 02:16 Date: March 20, 2023 Today’s Doodle celebrates the birthday of Sapardi Djoko Damono, the poet who revolutionized lyrical poetry in Indonesia. Damono was born on this day in Solo, Central Java in 1940. He spent his childhood in libraries reading every book he could get his hands on and started writing poetry while attending high school in Surakarta. After earning an English degree from Gajah Mada University, Damono studied Indonesian literature in graduate school. While working as a radio broadcaster and theater assistant during this time, he started taking his poetry more seriously. In 1969, Damono released his first poetry collection, dukaMu abadi . At a time when most Indonesian poets focused on societal reflection and ideas, Damano’s groundbreaking debut reflected on the human condition. Due to the book’s success, Damano was hired as a literature professor at the University of Indonesia. Damono wrote three more collections of poetry in his straightforward and introspective style before he received the ASEAN-sponsored Southeast Asian Write Award for poetry in 1986. Intent on promoting the artform across the country, he founded the Indonesian Literary Scholars Association and served as chairman for three consecutive terms. Damono also translated literary works from around the world into Indonesian, with one of his most celebrated translations being of Ernest Hemingway’s The Old Man and the Sea. In 1994, Damono published Hujan Bulan Juni , a collection of some of his greatest poems. This work inspired several musicians to create compositions with similar themes. The University of Indonesia elected Damono as the dean of faculty and held a poetry recital in 2010 to celebrate his life's work. Later in his career, Damono earned prestigious honors including the Achmad Bakrie Award for Literature in 2003 and the Akademi Jakarta Award in 2012. Today, his poetry is still read throughout the world, serving as an ode to the next generation of writers. Location: Tags:
20.03.2023 02:16 Date: March 20, 2023 Today’s Doodle celebrates Tunisia National Day! On this day in 1956, a treaty was signed, formally recognizing Tunisian independence and creating the Kingdom of Tunisia after lengthy negotiations with France. To celebrate the national holiday, parades are held across the country and wreath-laying ceremonies take place to honor those who fought for the country's independence. Citizens decorate streets, cars, and buildings with the Tunisian flag and the national colors of red and white. Many people spend the day outdoors in Tunisia’s beautiful natural landscapes or visit places like the Medina of Tunis, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1979 that houses many monuments, palaces, and fountains. For many people in Tunisia, the day serves as a reminder to continue the fight for democracy. Happy National Day, Tunisia! Location: Tags:
19.03.2023 07:15 Date: March 19, 2023 Location: , Tags:
