12.06.2023 01:45 Date: June 12, 2023 Today’s annual Doodle celebrates Philippines Independence Day 2023! This national holiday commemorates the freedom of the Philippines and its people. On this day in 1898, Filipino leader Emilio Aguinaldo declared independence from Spain after more than 300 years of rule. After a long but necessary fight for independence, Aguinaldo and 98 other Filipino officials signed the 21-page Acta de la Proclamacion de la Independencia del Pueblo Filipino in Cavite. Moments later, the Philippines national flag was unfurled and raised for the first time in history. On Independence Day, Filipinos gather with loved ones and enjoy a day off from work and school. In Manila and Cavite, major ceremonies are held to commemorate the occasion. These observances include a 21-gun salute, public speeches from government officials, and parades with colorful floats decorated with the blue, white, red, and yellow national flag. Happy Independence Day! Location: Tags:
11.06.2023 06:30 Date: June 11, 2023 Location: Tags:
10.06.2023 02:15 Date: June 10, 2023 Today’s Doodle celebrates Portugal Day, known officially as Dia de Camões, de Portugal e das Comunidades Portuguesas . Portugal observes National Day not on the day it declared independence from Spain, but instead on a day that honors an influential Portuguese poet, Luís de Camões. In honor of the country, traditional Portuguese tiles are featured in today's Doodle artwork. His epic poem, Os Lusíadas , is considered a paramount work of literature and describes Portuguese voyages and explorations during the 15th and 16th centuries. Legend has it that on one of Camões’s own adventures, a ship sank and he swam one-handed to shore, holding the poem above the water with his other hand. The first Portugal Day celebration took place in 1880 and it became a national holiday in 1919. Official festivities are held in a different Portuguese city each year with parades of marching bands, baton twirlers, and military troops. Orchestras play patriotic music, and fireworks illuminate the sky as night falls. And recently, another formal celebration is held in a foreign city to include Portuguese communities across the world in the commemoration of the nation's history, culture, and achievements Happy National Day, Portugal! Location: Tags:
09.06.2023 16:45 Date: June 10, 2023 Hot off the press — or out of the oven! Today’s Doodle celebrates scones, an afternoon tea treat in the United Kingdom. They’re usually enjoyed with jam and clotted cream, and can be found in almost any bakery from the northern tip of Scotland to the southern end of England. On this day in 1657, the ‘afternoon tea’ idea was first introduced and offered in London. Many believe scones originated in Scotland in the 1500s and eventually found their way into ‘royal tearooms’. It’s said that Anna Russell, the 7th Duchess of Bedford, requested the snack with her tea every afternoon and popularised the combo. During the Victorian era, people in London would ride the newly established railways to the southern coast of England for a weekend away from the city. Local bakeries, restaurants, and pubs in the area introduced the tea-scone duet to the masses, and the ‘cream tea’ term was born. The age-long debate around how to eat a scone still remains: cream or jam first? Some, like those in Cornwall, prefer adding jam first to let the fruity flavor sink into the treat before topping it off with clotted cream. Others, such as people in Devon, use the clotted cream to separate the jam from the pastry. Not all people say ‘scone’ the same way, either. In the south of England, people commonly pronounce it to rhyme with ‘tone’. While people in the midlands and northern regions of England are more likely to rhyme it with ‘gone.’ When it comes to recipes, bakers far and wide truly left no scone unturned: plain, fruit, and even savory versions like cheese are enjoyed in tearooms across the world. Regardless of how you eat it , this delicious treat is a tried-and-true staple in the United Kingdom. Whether it’s at a local bakery or at home surrounded by loved ones, enjoy your afternoon tea with a scone! Location: , , , , , , , , , , , Tags:
08.06.2023 22:00 Date: June 9, 2023 Today’s video Doodle celebrates Willi Ninja, an iconic dancer and choreographer known as the “Godfather of Voguing.” An acclaimed performer, Willi paved a path for Black LGBTQ+ representation and acceptance in the 1980s and ’90s. The community he created, “The Iconic House of Ninja,” lives on to this day. The Doodle video was illustrated by , and edited by ,with original music by . The performers featured are current members of the House of Ninja dancing in celebration of Willi’s legacy. On this day in 1990, the documentary Paris is Burning — which features Willi and the Iconic House of Ninja — was released in the US at the NewFest New York LGBT Film Festival. Willi Ninja was born in 1961 and grew up in Flushing, Queens. He had a loving mother who supported his identity. She encouraged his interest in dance by taking him to ballet performances at the Apollo Theater. Although she couldn’t afford expensive dance lessons, it didn’t stop Willi from teaching himself the moves that would make him a star. Willi went on to master the art of voguing, a dance style that blends fashion poses with intricate, mime and martial arts-like movements. The dance form emerged from the Harlem ballroom scene, which was a safe space founded by LGBTQ+ Black and Latino folks to celebrate self expression and togetherness. Most Black and Latino ballroom participants belong to groups known as houses, which offer an extended social family and safety net for those who face rejection from biological relatives. Willi co-founded his very own community called the House of Ninja in 1982, and continued to provide support and guidance for his house members even after he became famous. Inspired by Egyptian hieroglyphs and martial arts, Willi introduced new dance techniques that redefined voguing standards. Catapulted to stardom in the ’90s, Willi went on to perform in films, music videos, and luxury runway shows around the world. His moves inspired celebrities ranging from Madonna to Jean-Paul Gaultier. Willi was prominently featured in the 1990 documentary, Paris Is Burning, where his unique dance style was showcased on the big screen. The film was a big success and exposed Willi’s work to a wider audience. When Willi wasn’t dancing, he was a powerful advocate for his community. One of the first to raise awareness of HIV/AIDS prevention at drag balls, Willi played a pivotal role in helping to reduce stigma surrounding the disease. Thank you Willi Ninja for your contributions to the world of dance and for how you brought visibility to Black and Latino LGBTQ+ identities all over the world. The House of Ninja carries on dancing in your name. “Urban Cowboy” Photographed: Willi Ninja wearing a vest made from flyers that had images of Octavia St. Laurent, Luna Khan, Jose Xtravaganza, Pepper Labeija, and himself. This photo was taken at a panel discussion about ballroom. Courtesy of Luna Luis Ortiz Photographed: Willi Ninja at The House of Khan Heritage Ball at NYU Willi Ninja was being honored with an award from The House of Khan and New York University for his brilliance in all communities. Courtesy of Luna Luis Ortiz Photographed: Luna Khan, House of Khan, Willie Ninja, and Jose Xtravaganza in Chicago Courtesy of Luna Luis Ortiz Learn more about and on Google Arts & Culture. Willi Ninja Doodle Team & Contributors HOUSE OF NINJA PERFORMERS Archie Burnett Ninja Javier Madrid Ninja Kiki Ninja Akiko Tokuoka aka KiT Ninja MUSIC ILLUSTRATION & ANIMATION EDITING & PHOTOGRAPHY ART DIRECTION & UX DESIGN Erich Nagler Lydia Nichols Thoka Maer Sophie Diao ENGINEERING Stephanie Gu PRODUCTION Marketing | Selly Sallah, Caroline Moran, Perla Campos Operations | Lindsay Elgin, Shelby Anderson Business Affairs & Partnerships | Madeline Belliveau Guest Artist Program Lead | Claudia Chagüi Doodle Team Lead | Jessica Yu Location: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , Tags:
07.06.2023 18:15 Date: June 8, 2023 Location: Tags:
06.06.2023 13:30 Date: June 6, 2023 “Sometimes I love them, and sometimes I dislike them very much, but I can't imagine my life without my sisters. I have learned to be a little bit more patient with them, and they have had an enormous impact on me. We help to inspire each other and to help each other grow like the vines and flowers in my picture. I am never lonely with them, and they can cheer me up. I am grateful for them and all that they have done for me. In this drawing, we are having a fun time drinking hot chocolate, which is one of my fondest memories. The rainbow in the background symbolizes one of the first things I helped one of my sisters draw. In one of my family pictures, my sisters and I are sitting in flowers with a background that I drew, so I thought it would be fun to reference that by drawing us sitting flowers here. The word "Google" is related with the stems of flowers and vines, also following the flower/garden theme. My drawing is composed of all our happiest memories to show just how grateful I am for them.” When Rebecca was thinking about how to answer this year’s Doodle for Google contest prompt, “I am grateful for…”, her mind instantly went to her sisters. She decided to highlight the ways in which they support each other using the metaphor of a garden growing. She thinks gratitude is important because it allows us to look beyond the negative to focus on the positive. Pictured: Rebecca celebrates being named a state winner with her two sisters. As the U.S. 2023 Doodle for Google contest national winner, Rebecca wins a $30,000 college scholarship and a $50,000 technology package for her school. Check out the to learn more about Rebecca. Congratulations, Rebbecca! We’re grateful to you and the thousands of other students across the U.S. who shared their Doodles with us! Location: , , Tags:
06.06.2023 04:15 Date: June 6, 2023 Today’s Doodle celebrates Sweden National Day, or Sveriges Nationaldag in Swedish. June 6th marks two important anniversaries in Swedish history: the coronation of King Gustav Vasa, who liberated Sweden from the Kalmar Union in 1523 and the signing of the constitution in 1809. Sweden National Day celebrations span over a century, but it wasn’t officially established as a public holiday until 2005. Today, vibrant parades, marching bands, and local folk band performances take place throughout the country. Citizens gather to celebrate the spectacles and wave the blue and yellow national flag, like the one in today’s Doodle. In the most famous national day tradition, the King and Queen of Sweden attend an annual ceremony at Stockholm’s Skansen open-air museum, a Swedish national treasure. Children wear traditional Swedish clothing, typically blue and yellow skirts, and trousers as they present the royal family with colorful bouquets of summer flowers. Happy National Day, Sweden! Location: Tags:
05.06.2023 09:15 Date: June 5, 2023 Today’s Doodle celebrates an important piece of legislation in Denmark — the Constitutional Act. On this day in 1849, King Frederick VII signed the first constitution, and Denmark was declared a constitutional monarchy. The document has been updated multiple times since then, and several revisions, including the most recent one in 1953, occurred on June 5th. Denmark Constitution Day has never been an official public holiday, but it is common for workers to be off of work to celebrate the country's democracy. Common activities include fællessang , eating pølser outside in parks, and attending church congregations. Denmark is one of just two countries that doesn't celebrate a national day, so Constitution Day is one of the more patriotic days. Many people attend political speeches or events and wave the red and white Dannebrog , which is featured in today's Doodle. Happy Constitution Day, or Grundlovsdag, Denmark! Location: Tags:
04.06.2023 04:31 Date: June 4, 2023 Location: Tags:
04.06.2023 04:31 Date: June 4, 2023 Location: Tags:
04.06.2023 04:31 Date: June 4, 2023 Today’s Doodle celebrates Israeli actress, singer, and activist Gila Goldstein and is hand-crafted with clay by Jerusalem-based guest artist, . She was the second transgender woman in Israel and one of the first members and supporters of Aguda, the country’s oldest and largest LGBTQ+ organization which was started and operated for years during a time when homosexuality was criminalized in Israel. On this day in 2003, an award ceremony was held to recognize Goldstein as a Tel Aviv LGBTQ Hall of Famer for being a prominent representative of full gender identity expression during an era of rejection and persecution. Goldstein was born on December 18, 1947, in Turin, Italy and was designated male at birth. At a young age, she and her family immigrated to Haifa, Israel. As Goldstein came of age, she began to realize she was truly female. In the 1960s, Goldstein became one of the first Israelis to undergo officially documented gender-affirming surgery. She made a living as a sex worker throughout Europe, which she remained proud of in her later years, before returning to Israel. And in 1975, Goldstein helped found Aguda, Israel’s first organization to support LGBTQ+ rights. After performing in nightclubs and bars as a singer and dancer, Goldstein switched her focus to developing her own music. She began a residency at the "Allenby 58" club in Tel Aviv. During the 1990s she recorded several songs there, which helped her earn a hosting role on a local radio music program. In 2003, Goldstein was awarded the Israeli LGBTQ+ community prize for her efforts with Aguda. To further her experience in the arts, Goldstein began to explore acting, taking a role in the film Good Boys, which earned her the Miami LGBT Film Festival Award for best supporting actress in 2005. Just five short years later, a documentary was made about her life in 2010. To this day, Goldstein remains one of the most iconic LGBTQ+ figures in Israel. Her status as one of the first openly trans women in Israel and her support to members of the trans community in Israel inspired the founding of the Gila project, which provides transgender empowerment, legal advice, and living assistance for the country’s youth. Thank you for your trailblazing spirit and bravery, Gila. You've inspired people around the world to not just feel comfortable being themselves but to advocate for others to do so, as well. Check out the behind-the-scenes process for today’s Doodle artwork by guest artist, Clay pieces unassembled Clay build before final painting Location: Tags:
02.06.2023 04:30 Date: June 2, 2023 Expect to see a lot of green, white, and red today because it’s Italian Republic Day! Today’s Doodle celebrates when the people of Italy voted to establish the Italian Republic on this day in 1946. Italians celebrated Republic Day for the first time in 1947. The following year the first military parade was held, and in 1949 it was officially declared a national holiday. On the public holiday, schools and most businesses close so people can partake in celebrations. The official ceremony, held in Rome every year, features a flag-raising ceremony, a wreath laying at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, and a military parade. The gardens at the presidential Quirinale Palace are open for the public to enjoy flowers, fountains, and foliage. But don’t forget to look up when the Frecce Tricolori, an aerobatic demonstration team of the Italian Air Force, flies overhead and releases streaks of green, white, and red smoke into the sky. Across the country, people attend speeches, parades, and concerts. Others bask in the sun and take in the views at one of Italy’s UNESCO World Heritage Sites — the country has the most in the world with 51. Happy National Day, Italy! Location: Tags:
