18.03.2023 21:45 Date: March 19, 2023 Today’s Doodle celebrates the 80th birthday of Dr. Mario Molina, a Mexican chemist who successfully convinced governments to come together to save the planet’s ozone layer. A co-recipient of the 1995 Nobel Prize in Chemistry, Dr. Molina was one of the researchers who exposed how chemicals deplete Earth’s ozone shield, which is vital to protecting humans, plants, and wildlife from harmful ultraviolet light. Dr. Molina was born on this day in 1943 in Mexico City. As a child, he was so passionate about science that he turned his bathroom into a makeshift laboratory. Nothing could compare to the joy of watching tiny organisms glide across his toy microscope. Dr. Molina went on to earn a bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering from the National Autonomous University of Mexico, and an advanced degree from the University of Freiburg in Germany. After completing his studies, he moved to the United States to conduct postdoctoral research at the University of California, Berkeley, and later at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. In the early 1970s, Dr. Molina began researching how synthetic chemicals impact Earth’s atmosphere. He was one of the first to discover that chlorofluorocarbons were breaking down the ozone and causing ultraviolet radiation to reach Earth's surface. He and his co-researchers published their findings in the Nature journal, which later won them the Nobel Prize in Chemistry. The groundbreaking research became the foundation of the Montreal Protocol, an international treaty that successfully banned the production of nearly 100 ozone-depleting chemicals. This international alliance is considered one of the most impactful environmental treaties ever made — a precedent that shows governments can work together effectively to tackle climate change. Thanks to Dr. Molina’s critical scientific discoveries, the planet’s ozone layer is on track to fully recover in the next few decades! The Mario Molina Center, a leading research institute in Mexico, carries on his work to create a more sustainable world. Thank you, Dr. Molina, for your years of research that truly changed the world. Photographed: Mario Molina and his wife, Guadalupe Alvarez Limón Courtesy of the Molina Estate Location: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , Tags:
17.03.2023 08:16 Date: March 17, 2023 Keep an eye out for some shamrocks because it’s St. Patrick’s Day! Today’s Doodle celebrates the greenest day of the year and honors Irish culture. On this day in 1903, Ireland declared St. Patrick’s Day a national holiday. Every year, millions of people around the world attend parades and pubs to spend the day and celebrate with loved ones. Families and friends in Ireland gather at ceilidhs and local parades all around the country to celebrate their national day. In the United States, Irish Americans rally to march along with floats in the famous New York City St. Patrick’s Day Parade. The White House even dyes the North Lawn fountain entirely green! Today’s Doodle artwork was hand-crafted with cut acrylic glass to resemble a traditional stained glass window. The design incorporates Irish elements including a harp and shamrocks! Wherever you may be, make sure to search for shamrocks, look for leprechauns, and wear lots of green. Happy St. Patrick’s Day! Check out the behind-the-scenes process for today’s Doodle artwork Frame building and acrylic glass inserting progress photos A very special teammate overseeing the design process! Location: , , , , , , , , , Tags:
15.03.2023 09:30 Date: March 15, 2023 Today’s Doodle recognizes Hungary National Day, also known as Revolution Day. On this day in 1848, a group of patriots, including poet Sandor Petőfi, gathered in front of the Hungarian National Museum to address the nation. They announced the 12 Points of the Pest Revolution – a list of demands for democratic rights, which is widely considered one of Hungary’s most important texts. Today, Hungarians wear tricolor badges called kokárdas that symbolize national pride. The red, white, and green ribbons share the colors of Hungary’s national flag, as seen in today’s Doodle. The colors represent the three national virtues: red for strength, white for faithfulness, and green for hope. Hungary's flag decorates buildings and homes throughout the country. The day’s main festivities take place at the Hungarian National Museum where local officials give speeches and the crowd recites Petőfi’s Nemzeti dal . After a flag raising ceremony in front of the Parliament Building, citizens honor those who bravely fought for their freedom in 1848. Location: Tags:
15.03.2023 09:30 Date: March 15, 2023 Every bite is tender, juicy, and soulful. Today’s animated Doodle celebrates adobo, a way of cooking and a favorite Filipino dish! Adobo can be found far and wide, whether it’s at a five-star restaurant in Manila or inside the homes of Filipino families around the world. The word ‘adobo’ was first added to the Oxford English Dictionary in December 2006, and was included on the word list of the next OED quarterly update, released on this day in 2007. There are many different kinds of adobo in the Philippines but they all share the same basic elements: marinated meat or vegetables braised into a stew. Common ingredients include vinegar, soy sauce, garlic, bay leaves, and black pepper. The local flavors make Filipino adobo much sweeter, sourer, and saltier in taste compared to other versions. Several areas within the Philippines give their adobo a regional twist. Locals in Visayas enjoy adobong puti , considered by some to be the original indigenous style, which exclusively uses vinegar without any soy sauce. In places like Southern Luzon, where coconut milk is a food staple, creamier adobo recipes like adobong manok sa gata are extremely popular. Others substitute meat with seafood like squid, or locally available vegetables like kangkong or sitaw . After evolving throughout the centuries, this iconic dish is now enjoyed worldwide. It’s a symbol and expression of Filipino pride that varies from region to region, family to family, palate to palate. The history is rich, the taste is unmatched, and the aromas are enticing – the children in today’s artwork would definitely agree! Wherever and however it’s served, adobo leaves stomachs happy and mouths watering for more. Today’s Doodle was illustrated by Doodle artist Anthony Irwin. Below, he shares his thoughts behind the making of this Doodle: For children of immigrants, our relationship with our parents' food is a complex one. On one hand, my mother's cooking made me feel like I was exactly where I was supposed to be. It felt special and safe and warm. But on the other hand, most kids just want to fit in. Growing up in the U.S., I didn't want my food to be special. I didn't want to feel different. I just wanted to be like everyone else. Now as an adult, I get to find all of these opportunities to be proud in ways childhood didn't let me feel proud. I can claim Filipino food as a part of my culture and celebrate the connection it creates between my mother's identity and my own. I ordered some southern-style chicken adobo from a local restaurant to stir up some memories while working on the art for this Doodle, and the first thing that hit me was the smell. It was so bright and nostalgic, and instantly filled my apartment with that familiar feeling: this is exactly how things are supposed to be. So I tried to capture that simple childhood joy of leaning in and savoring the kind of food that makes home feel like home. Kain nang mabuti! Location: , , , , , Tags:
15.03.2023 00:30 Date: March 15, 2023 Every bite is tender, juicy, and soulful. Today’s animated Doodle celebrates adobo, a way of cooking and a favorite Filipino dish! Adobo can be found far and wide, whether it’s at a five-star restaurant in Manila or inside the homes of Filipino families around the world. The word ‘adobo’ was first added to the Oxford English Dictionary in December 2006, and was included on the word list of the next OED quarterly update, released on this day in 2007. There are many different kinds of adobo in the Philippines but they all share the same basic elements: marinated meat or vegetables braised into a stew. Common ingredients include vinegar, soy sauce, garlic, bay leaves, and black pepper. The local flavors make Filipino adobo much sweeter, sourer, and saltier in taste compared to other versions. Several areas within the Philippines give their adobo a regional twist. Locals in Visayas enjoy adobong puti , considered by some to be the original indigenous style, which exclusively uses vinegar without any soy sauce. In places like Southern Luzon, where coconut milk is a food staple, creamier adobo recipes like adobong manok sa gata are extremely popular. Others substitute meat with seafood like squid, or locally available vegetables like kangkong or sitaw . After evolving throughout the centuries, this iconic dish is now enjoyed worldwide. It’s a symbol and expression of Filipino pride that varies from region to region, family to family, palate to palate. The history is rich, the taste is unmatched, and the aromas are enticing – the children in today’s artwork would definitely agree! Wherever and however it’s served, adobo leaves stomachs happy and mouths watering for more. Today’s Doodle was illustrated by Doodle artist Anthony Irwin. Below, he shares his thoughts behind the making of this Doodle: For children of immigrants, our relationship with our parents' food is a complex one. On one hand, my mother's cooking made me feel like I was exactly where I was supposed to be. It felt special and safe and warm. But on the other hand, most kids just want to fit in. Growing up in the U.S., I didn't want my food to be special. I didn't want to feel different. I just wanted to be like everyone else. Now as an adult, I get to find all of these opportunities to be proud in ways childhood didn't let me feel proud. I can claim Filipino food as a part of my culture and celebrate the connection it creates between my mother's identity and my own. I ordered some southern-style chicken adobo from a local restaurant to stir up some memories while working on the art for this Doodle, and the first thing that hit me was the smell. It was so bright and nostalgic, and instantly filled my apartment with that familiar feeling: this is exactly how things are supposed to be. So I tried to capture that simple childhood joy of leaning in and savoring the kind of food that makes home feel like home. Kain nang mabuti! Location: , , , , Tags:
07.03.2023 12:45 Date: March 8, 2023 Today’s Doodle honors International Women’s Day by celebrating many ways in which women support women. The vignettes within each “GOOGLE” letter highlight just a few of the many areas in which women around the world support each other to progress and improve each other's quality of life. Women in positions of influence who advocate for progress across issues central to the lives of women everywhere. Women who come together to explore, learn, and rally for their rights. Women who are primary caregivers to people of all walks of life. Women who are critical support systems for each other in motherhood. In honor of women across the globe who are supporting each other across all aspects of life — Happy International Women’s Day! story with Alyssa Winans Today’s Doodle was illustrated by Doodle Artist, Alyssa Winans. Below, she shares her thoughts behind the making of this Doodle: Q: Why is this International Women’s Day meaningful to you personally? A: Our theme this year was “women supporting women”, so I was able to spend a lot of time reflecting on all the ways I’ve been supported by the other women in my life. I’m the youngest of three girls, so since birth I’ve always benefited from the wisdom and support of those who came before me! I’m grateful for that and all the ways I see women in my life standing up for each other and their values. Q. Did any of your personal life experiences inform the direction of the illustration? If so, how? A: Only tangentially! My one life certainly can’t capture the full range of what being a woman is. One thing I was thinking about is that a few people around me in the past few years have had children, and have started talking about how complicated it was to navigate. Breastfeeding? Formula? In public? Workplaces? So I did want to use one of the letters for two women feeding their children on the homepage as a nod to that experience. Q. What do you hope people around the world will think and feel when they see this Doodle? A: I know the full experience of what it means to be a woman certainly can’t all be captured in one image, so I hope it’s merely a jumping off point to reflect on how broad, complex, nuanced, and powerful the notion of womanhood is. Location: Tags:
06.03.2023 09:15 Date: March 6, 2023 Today’s Doodle celebrates Ghana Independence Day. On this day in 1957, the country declared its freedom from colonial rule and became the first independent country in Sub-Saharan Africa. March 6th is a national and public holiday where traditionally, many businesses close so citizens can attend parades, marches, and carnivals. Often a large part of celebrations in Ghana, people gather to watch school children and security personnel stride along to music. In the evening, fireworks illuminate the night sky. At home, people hoist the national flag – a red, yellow, and green tricolor with a black star in the middle, like the one waving in today’s Doodle. Many families gather around plates of food such as jollof rice , peanut soup, or waakye . Happy Independence Day, Ghana! Location: Tags:
03.03.2023 07:16 Date: March 3, 2023 Today’s Doodle celebrates Bulgaria Liberation Day! The Balkan nation is one of Europe’s oldest countries, and it became independent on this day in 1878. Each year, Bulgarians far and wide unite to celebrate the holiday with joy and pride. The national flag, depicted in today’s artwork, flies proudly across Bulgaria’s charming mountain villages and dreamy coastal towns. In the narrow, cobbled streets of Sofia, people line up to watch the day’s main events: fireworks and a wreath-laying ceremony at the Monument of the Unknown Soldier. In smaller towns and villages, communities come together to enjoy dances and concerts at local squares. These lively performances are a brilliant display of Bulgaria’s rich cultural heritage. Happy Liberation Day, Bulgaria! Location: Tags:
02.03.2023 22:01 Date: March 3, 2023 Today’s Doodle celebrates the 129th birthday of Filipino writer, editor, and teacher Paz Márquez-Benítez. Throughout her career, she developed Philippine literature and taught many of the nation’s most distinguished writers. She is known for writing the first modern Philippine short story penned in English, Dead Stars. Márquez-Benítez was born to a family of teachers in Lucena, Quezon on this day in 1894. An academic prodigy, she enrolled in high school at age nine and was highly praised for her prowess in English. She then attended the Philippine Normal University in Manila where she discovered her love for writing. Two years later, Márquez-Benítez studied at the newly-formed University of the Philippines’ College of Liberal Arts, graduating in 1912. She soon returned to her alma mater as a writing teacher and used her platform to write Dead Stars in 1925. Márquez-Benítez was a strong proponent of preserving Philippine heritage and firmly supported independence, and the short story’s two main characters symbolized American imperialism. It was published in the Philippines Herald and drew critical acclaim as a national literary work. She was a mentor to many writers who later became famous and compiled the first anthology of Philippine stories in the English language, Filipino Love Stories , featuring works from her students. Beyond these achievements, Márquez-Benítez helped found the Philippine Women’s University. She also served as editor for the Philippine Educational Magazine and the Women’s Home Journal, the country’s first women’s magazine. The Ateneo Library of Women’s Writings now hosts the annual Márquez-Benítez Lecture and Exhibit to remember Filipino women writers who contributed to Philippine literature in English. Her daughter, Virginia Benítez Licuanan, wrote her biography Paz Márquez-Benítez: One Woman's Life, Letters, and Writings in 1995, which also includes her letters and diary entries. Happy birthday, Paz Márquez-Benitez! Location: Tags:
02.03.2023 22:01 Date: March 3, 2023 Today’s Doodle honors Hinamatsuri also known as girls’ day or the doll festival, in Japan. Each year, Japanese communities celebrate the health and happiness of young girls by dedicating and displaying ornate dolls. The holiday is one of Japan’s five sekku and dates back over a thousand years to the Edo Period . Due to an ancient Japanese belief that dolls ward off bad luck, families began to set out simple paper dolls called hitogata to protect and honor their daughters. Over time, the dolls became more intricately crafted. Today, families display ornate dolls on a red-carpeted, tiered platform called a hinadan. Dolls are crafted throughout Japan, including popular spots like the city of Saitama, where over 50 stores sell different kinds of dolls. The types of dolls vary from figurines wearing traditional kimonos of the Heian Period to smaller handmade dolls hanging as decorations. Other common celebrations include festive food like sweet vibrant rice crackers called hina arare and a yogurt-like beverage known as amazake. Happy Hinamatsuri, Japan! Location: Tags:
02.03.2023 13:00 Date: March 2, 2023 Today’s animated Doodle celebrates the 126th birthday of Mexican artist Lola Cueto. This tapestry designer, toy collector, engraver, teacher, and puppet master was born in Mexico City on this day in 1897 as María Dolores Velázquez Rivas. Lola Cueto’s creativity was evident when she was very young. At age 12, she became one of the first women to enroll at the Instituto Nacional de Bellas Artes at San Carlos Academy. Her art training continued after the Mexican Revolution at the Santa Anita Outdoor Painting School, where she was the only woman in her class. Cueto broke into the male-dominated embroidery field by combining traditional designs from Indigenous culture with new technology in the form of embroidery machines. She moved to Paris in 1927 with her husband, an avant-garde sculptor, where the pair became involved in a community of artists. Cueto’s intricate tapestry work was displayed at their joint exhibitions, and she used the chain technique to depict French cathedrals in her embroidery. She moved back to Mexico City with her husband and two daughters in 1932, where she mastered engraving, pioneered puppet theater, and began to teach art at Mexico City College. Cueto was one of the artists that founded the League of Revolutionary Writers and Artists , a cohort of creatives against the censorship of art. Through this, she created the first glove puppet dolls in Mexico. Her interests spanned into theater as well, with Cueto founding three puppet theater companies called Rin Run, El Nahual, and El Colorín. She used her puppet shows to entertain and educate children in fun ways. A variety of her work can be viewed and enjoyed today. The dozens of puppets she fashioned are at the National School of Fine Arts, while the Met Museum houses several of her etchings and tapestries. Some of her toy collection and paper cuttings are at the Cultural Center at Santa Domingo. Happy birthday, Lola Cueto! Thank you for pushing the needle forward for female artists. Location: Tags:
01.03.2023 08:16 Date: March 1, 2023 Today’s Doodle celebrates St. David’s Day in Wales, or Dydd Gŵyl Dewi Sant in Welsh. On this day in the year 589, St. David was canonized and became the patron saint of Wales. Each year on March 1st, a national St. David’s Day Parade is held in the city of Cardiff, where schoolchildren and bands march in traditional Welsh costumes. They wear bright red gowns and dark tall hats and carry the Welsh flag. The flag of Wales features a red dragon atop a green and white background. According to the legend of Dinas Emrys, a Celtic king’s castle repeatedly collapsed due to two dragons fighting in a lair below its foundation. Eventually, a red dragon prevailed and became a symbol of Welsh pride. Today, the flag decorates buildings and homes throughout the country. Today’s colourful Doodle was inspired by items found in Wales. The artwork was hand-crafted with cut acrylic glass inspired by traditional stained glass windows and prominently features Wales' National flower — the daffodil! Happy St. David’s Day Wales! Check out the behind-the-scenes process for today’s Doodle artwork Location: Tags:
01.03.2023 08:16 Date: March 1, 2023 Today’s Doodle, illustrated by Taiwan-based guest artist celebrates Taiwanese filmmaker and activist Mickey Chen, who focused on telling stories from people that belonged to disenfranchised communities. On this day in 1999, her film Boys for Beauty became the first LGBTQ-themed documentary to be screened at a movie theater in Taiwan. Chen, fascinated by cameras from a young age, started creating movies in college. At 30, she made her directorial debut with Not Simply a Wedding Banquet , a documentary about the first gay couple to have a public wedding in Taipei. It explored the struggles that members of the LGBTQ+ community faced in Taiwan. In 1999, Chen released Boys for Beauty, an eye-opening exposé that followed the lives of three gay teenagers from Taipei. The film took a bold stance against gender norms and showcased the societal pressures each subjects’ relatives endured. It was a box office success and a pivotal achievement for Taiwanese cinema. Boys for Beauty won countless awards and film festival placements, most notably the Audience Award at the 2000 Taiwan International Documentary Festival. Chen gave an inspiring acceptance speech that praised the LGBTQ+ movement and invited several directors to join her on stage in an act of solidarity. Chen wrote and directed many more documentaries such as Memorandum on Happiness , Scars on Memory , and Fragile in Love . She also published Taipei Father, New York Mother in 2011, a book about family tragedies that occurred during her youth. Throughout her career, Chen documented significant moments of LGBTQ+ history in Taiwan and opened the eyes of the public to them and Taiwan’s progressive LGBTQ+ societal views are a result of trailblazers like her. Guest Artist Q&A with Dyin Li Today’s Doodle was illustrated by Taiwan-based guest artist . Below, she shares her thoughts behind the making of this Doodle: Q. What were your first thoughts when you were approached about working on this Doodle? A: I couldn't believe it! I had always dreamt of drawing a Doodle. Additionally, when I learnt that the Doodle was celebrating director Mickey Chen, I was thrilled. As a supporter of LGBTQ+ rights, I was really glad to have the opportunity to work on this project. Q. Did you draw inspiration from anything in particular for this Doodle? A: I knew that I had to get to know Mickey better to depict who she was and what she did in a small image. To do so, I watched her films, interview videos, and read her book about her family history. I took note of scenes in the films and quoted some of her words about the connection between a director's identity and being gay as inspiration. It's worth mentioning that I also read the recommendations in her book, most of which were written by Mickey's friends. These words helped me understand her personality more deeply. As a documentary film director, it might not have been easy for her to present herself in her films, but these recommendations offered a unique perspective on who she was. Q. Did you learn anything surprising or noteworthy while researching for this Doodle? A: I was deeply touched while watching the films Mickey directed. They initially focused on some LGBTQ+ individuals, their partners, families and friends, eventually capturing precious memories and pieces of the entire society. The first film she directed was in 1997. I was impressed by how the LGBTQ+ community has experienced significant changes while also continuing to share similar experiences and struggles over the decades. Q. Can you tell us about your process? A: After researching and brainstorming, my aim was to capture both the LGBTQ+ theme and the essence of Mickey Chen's work—'crossing the line.' In the process of recording people's life stories, Mickey longed for light in the darkness and captured the glimmering light in people's hearts—that was the atmosphere I wanted to present in this Doodle. To achieve this, I decided to use a dark background with light rainbow colours passing through the frames. original sketch Q. Any other thoughts you'd like to share? A: I am glad to have learnt more about Mickey through creating this Doodle. I hope that someone who sees it will be inspired to watch Mickey's films and read Mickey's book. After Mickey's passing, Taiwan has legalised same-sex marriage. But we still have a long journey ahead towards love-wins. Mickey's films show us what the world was like years ago, but what lies ahead for us? Location: Tags:
