15.08.2023 00:45 Date: August 15, 2023 Today’s Doodle celebrates Korea’s Liberation Day, known locally as 광복절 or Gwangbokjeol, which directly translates to “bringing back the light.” On this day in 1945, Japan surrendered at the end of WWII and Korea broke free after 35 years of colonial rule. Koreans have a long, rich history dating back to 4 BCE, so the country was restored in 1945, not created. During the period of occupation, existing Korean culture was suppressed, making “liberation” a more accurate word than “independence.” To celebrate the day, some people attend the official government ceremony and sing the Gwangbokjeol song, which honors those who fought for freedom. The Korean flag is displayed across the country; citizens may carry and wave a small Taegeukgi, while larger ones hang from street lamps, public buildings, and homes. Happy National Liberation Day, Korea! Location: Tags:
14.08.2023 05:15 Date: August 14, 2023 Today’s Doodle celebrates Turkish astronomer, Nüzhet Gökdoğan, who is widely recognized as one of Türkiye’s first female astronomers. On this day in 1910, Gökdoğan was born in Istanbul, Türkiye. The Doodle artwork was illustrated by İzmir-based guest artist . During her schooling, she learned French, German, and Turkish. A college scholarship brought her to Lyon University in France, where she completed her undergraduate degree in mathematics, and in 1933 received her graduate degree in physics from the University of Paris. She interned at the Paris Observatory and they invited her to continue her research there, but Gökdoğan chose to return to Türkiye. Channeling her passion for astronomy into teaching in this field, Gökdoğan became an associate professor at the Institute of Astronomy at the Faculty of Science at İstanbul University. When she joined as the first Turkish employee, both the textbooks and lectures were in foreign languages like English and German. Multilingual Gökdoğan stepped in and translated course material and six books on topics from Celestial Mechanics to Spherical Astronomy. In 1937, Gökdoğan wrote her dissertation on interstellar dark matter around the sun and completed her Ph.D. She went on to become a professor at Istanbul University, and in 1954, she was elected as the Dean of the Science Faculty, making her the first female university dean in Türkiye. Gökdoğan authored scientific papers for national journals and three introductory textbooks on astronomy, algebra, and cosmography before retiring in 1980. The professor is remembered for advancing the astronomy profession in Türkiye and for founding several groups dedicated to science, notably the Turkish Astronomy Association, the Turkish Association of University Women, and the Turkish Mathematics Association. Happy birthday to the stellar Nüzhet Gökdoğan! Early Drafts Guest Artist Q&A with Ali Çetinkaya Today’s Doodle was illustrated by İzmir-based guest artist . Below, he shares his thoughts behind the making of this Doodle: Q. Why was this topic meaningful to you personally? A: It was wonderful to become acquainted with Nüzhet Gökdoğan, learning about her life and her accomplishments as a pioneering scholar in the history of the Turkish Republic. Her achievements serve as an inspiration and instill hope for the future of scientific thought in Türkiye. Q. What were your first thoughts when you were approached about working on this Doodle? A: When I received the initial offer for the project, I was genuinely thrilled by their approach, which highlighted my artistic practice. It resonated with me and added an extra layer of enthusiasm to my involvement as I realized that I had the creative freedom to portray and connect with Nüzhet Gökdoğan through my illustration. Also, knowing that I could play a role in a project of significant impact and reach was both humbling and motivating. Q. Did you draw inspiration from anything in particular for this Doodle? A: Space and academia were the two main topics I chose as sources of inspiration. Space has always been a subject that deeply excites me. The ongoing human effort to understand and explain the vast unknown has archaic roots and fosters hope for a future where the mysteries are diminished. Q. What message do you hope people take away from your Doodle? A: I hope my Doodle instills in others the same sense of hope and inspiration that it has given me. Location: Tags:
14.08.2023 05:15 Date: August 14, 2023 Today’s annual Doodle celebrates Pakistan Independence Day 2023! On this day in 1947, Pakistan gained its independence and became a sovereign nation after almost 200 years of British occupancy. Following the Indian Independence Act in 1947, Muslim Indians wanted their own independent nation-state and started the Pakistan Movement. The movement was spearheaded by the All-India Muslim League, led by Muhammad Ali Jinnah. On Independence Day, Pakistani citizens throughout the country wave their national flag high in the sky and sing the national anthem. The main festivities occur in Islamabad, where the president and prime minister broadcast uplifting speeches about national heroes, recent achievements, and goals for the future. Main government buildings like the Parliament House, Supreme Court, President’s House, and more are decorated with bright lights and colors. Firework shows, rallies, and musical concerts are also available to the public. Today’s Doodle artwork features a toothed whale species that is endemic to Pakistan — The Indus river dolphin. This endangered species, also known as the bhulan in Urdu and Sindhi, is a special sighting in coasts off Pakistan. Visit the to read a few untold stories about how Pakistan gained independence. Happy Independence Day, Pakistan! Location: Tags:
13.08.2023 09:15 Date: August 13, 2023 Happy Father's Day! Click today’s Doodle to browse some animal family throwback pics with dad over the years! Location: Tags:
13.08.2023 09:15 Date: August 13, 2023 Today’s Doodle, illustrated by Manchester-based guest artist , celebrates British artist Gluck’s 128th birthday. Known for their iconic portraits and picture-frame design, Gluck also painted over gender norms by refusing to use any forename or prefix . On this day in 1895, Gluck was born into a successful family in London. While attending St. Paul’s Girls’ School in Hammersmith, Gluck won a Royal Drawing Society Silver Star. They attended St. John’s Wood School of Art before moving to the village of Lamorna in Cornwall, a hot spot for artists. In Larmorna’s community, Gluck began defying traditional fashion and gender appearances. When an art society identified Gluck as “Miss Gluck” on its letterhead, Gluck immediately resigned. Refusing to identify with an artistic school or movement, Gluck chose to only show their work in solo exhibitions. In 1924, they showcased 56 paintings at the Dorien Leigh Galleries in London. Every single painting sold and the floral paintings gained popularity among local interior designers. In 1932, Gluck designed and patented a picture frame, later known as the Gluck frame. The three-tiered design, which traditionally matched the color of the wall it hung on, gave the illusion that its painting was part of the wall’s architecture. The British Art in Industry exhibitions debuted the design, which again attracted the attention of interior designers. Inspired by the production of a Mozart opera, Gluck painted Medallion in 1936. The dual portrait of them and their lover is now an iconic lesbian statement and one of the most famous depictions of a lesbian relationship. Gluck also fought for change in the arts industry. Dissatisfied with the quality of available paints for artist work, Gluck spent ten years campaigning to create a new standard for oil paints — and the British Standards Institution ultimately conceded. In 1973, Gluck held their final exhibition and debuted over fifty paintings from throughout their career. Gluck refused to compromise artistically and personally, and their legacy continues to inspire countless artists to express themselves freely. Happy Birthday, Gluck! Guest Artist Q&A with Sonny Ross Today’s Doodle was illustrated by Manchester-based guest artist Sonny Ross. Below, they share their thoughts behind the making of this Doodle: Q. Why was this topic meaningful to you personally? A: Gluck continues to be a huge influence on my work. Florals as portraits, portraits as florals, even elements of Gluck's brushwork influenced digital brushes I made. Also as a non-binary person, it's fitting to celebrate the life and work of someone who was historically gender nonconforming. It's no secret I try to include florals in most of my commercial work, and I'm sure if you followed that thread back long enough you'd find me seeing Gluck's work for the first time. Q. What were your first thoughts when you were approached about working on this Doodle? A: It’s rare that a project aligns with your own interests so initially I suppose I was grateful. Q. Did you draw inspiration from anything in particular for this Doodle? A: Absolutely. "The Pleiades" by Gluck, perhaps one of my favourite paintings. An otherwise unremarkable scene of foliage, dark with accents of colour from the flowers, everything coated in dew. It is totally dramatic, but could also be seen in your own garden. You will see elements of this piece making up the main body of the Doodle. Q. What message do you hope people take away from your Doodle? A: I want more people to look into Gluck's work. Explore the themes and whether you're a creative or not, I feel you could take something away. Location: , , , , , , , Tags:
12.08.2023 23:00 Date: August 13, 2023 Today’s Doodle, illustrated by Mumbai-based guest artist celebrates Indian actress Sridevi’s 60th birthday! Starring in nearly three hundred movies over the course of four decades, Sridevi made Bollywood’s sweeping dramas and comedies shine, oftentimes without a male counterpart in a traditionally male-dominated industry. Sridevi was born on this day in 1963 in present-day Tamil Nadu, India. She fell in love with movies as a child and started acting at four years old in the Tamil movie, Kandhan Karunai. Sridevi learned to speak multiple South Indian languages, which allowed her to break into India’s other film industries. Early in her career, she acted in a variety of genres and across multiple film industries, including Tamil, Telugu, and Malayalam movies. In 1976, Sridevi gained national recognition as the protagonist in K. Balachander's Moondru Mudichu. After the film’s success, she and her co-stars became even more famous with a string of hit films like Guru and Sankarlal. Widely considered the star of Tamil cinema at the time, Sridevi’s on-screen charisma garnered attention from producers from the Hindi-speaking film industry as well. After playing the lead role in the action comedy Himmatwala, Sridevi established herself as a national icon and box-office attraction in Bollywood. Over the next decade, Sridevi starred in hits like the romantic drama film Sadma and the comedy ChaalBaz. She remains one of the only Bollywood actresses to headline blockbuster movies without a male actor in an industry that was traditionally male-dominated. Sridevi took a break from acting in the early 2000s before starring in television shows like Malini and Kaboom. She then joined the Asian Academy of Film & Television board of directors. In 2012, she announced her comeback with English Vinglish; the film marked her successful return as a leading lady in Bollywood after a long hiatus. The Indian government also honored her with the Padma Shri. In 2017, Sridevi starred in the crime thriller Mom as a rage-filled and protective mother, earning her the National Film Award for best actress. Sridevi forever made her mark on the film industry by charting new avenues for women to take on leading roles in Indian cinema. She will be remembered as one of the greatest Indian actors of her time. Happy birthday, Sridevi! Location: , , , , , , , , , , Tags:
12.08.2023 04:00 Date: August 12, 2023 Location: , , , Tags:
12.08.2023 04:00 Date: August 12, 2023 Today’s slideshow Doodle celebrates the 95th birthday of Fatima Meer, a South African writer, artist, scholar, and anti-apartheid activist. She advocated for human rights and gender equality, and helped found many organizations that sought to improve the quality of life in South Africa. Meer was born on this day in 1928 in Durban. As a child, she helped produce her family-owned newspaper, Indian Views, and learned about the harsh realities of South African society. These early experiences nurtured her English proficiency and shaped the foundation of her career. Meer’s political activism started in high school. In 1946, she helped create the Student Passive Resistance Committee in support of the Indian Passive Resistance Campaign and was invited to speak at several mass rallies. She went on to study sociology at the University of Natal. Her rising popularity as an activist caught the attention of both the public and the South African government. In 1952, as a result of the Suppression of Communism Act, Meer was banned from attending any public gatherings and prohibited from publishing any works for three years. Although the ban was meant to suppress her voice and ideas, it instead fanned the flames in her heart. Throughout her career, Meer helped organize many public gatherings including Women’s Marches, night vigils to protest against mass detention of anti-apartheid activists, and more. She also co-founded various groups like the Federation of South African Women, the Black Women’s Federation, the Institute of Black Research, and the Concerned Citizens Group. Beyond her activism, Meer became involved in charity work, published several books, and taught sociology at her alma mater. She was close friends with the Mandela family, and Nelson trusted her writing so much that he chose her to pen his first authorized biography, Higher than Hope . To honor her memory and legacy, Meer was awarded the Vishwa Gurjari Award for Contribution to Human Rights in 1994 and The Order of Luthuli in Silver in 2017. Happy birthday, Fatima Meer! Special thanks to Fatima Meer’s family for their collaboration on this project. Below, they share a note. We are very pleased that our mother is being honoured with this doodle, and it is our hope that remembering her in this way will inspire new generations of activists. Our mother is well known for the fearless way in which she engaged in the struggle against apartheid. She engaged in direct activism as well as through her academic teaching and writing. Her activism started when as a teenager and still at school in 1946, she made her first speech at a political rally against racist laws. Despite being banned in the 1950s, imprisoned by the apartheid government for a few months in 1976, and having her home petrol bombed in 1977 and 1985, she was undeterred in her resistance against the injustices of apartheid. Unhappy with the continued economic hardship experienced by the majority of South Africans in the post-apartheid South Africa she continued her fearless struggle against oppression and for freedom and dignity. She worked with community groups resisting evictions and disconnections of their water and electricity supplies, this time challenging her comrades and friends in the governing party of the country. She said in the early 2000’s “We have to be in the process of perpetual revolution to progress and guarantee the rights of people. There can be no peacetime so long as there is poverty and hunger and so long as basic human rights are trodden. The cause of rampant crime in our country is inequality. We are the second most unequal country in the world. More than half the population lives in poverty. Can we call this living in peace? The definition of peace is equity, harmony, not starvation. I believe we need to strengthen the numerous community based organisations in our country and increase the voices of civil society”. Location: Tags:
12.08.2023 04:00 Date: August 12, 2023 Happy Mother's Day! Click today’s Doodle to browse some animal family throwback pics with mom over the years! Location: Tags:
10.08.2023 23:00 Date: August 11, 2023 Today, the love for Japan's 12,000+ mountains reaches a peak — it's Mountain Day! This holiday was advocated for by nature and hiking groups before being enacted in 2014 and celebrated for the first time in 2016. Some speculate that the holiday takes place on August 11th because the kanji for “eight” somewhat resembles a mountain and the number 11 looks like two trees. This holiday aims to give Japanese people an opportunity to visit, appreciate, and celebrate the mountains that make up 70% of the country’s landmass. Japan has over 400 volcanoes, around 100 of which are active, and about 27,000 hot springs warmed by magma, so there are plenty of ways to take in the natural wonders. As Japan’s newest public holiday, there are no traditional celebrations on this day, but many try to spend the day outdoors and treasure the peaks and ridges near them. Some visit and climb the highest mountain in Japan, Mt. Fuji, while others take a shorter hike to places like Zushi Beach or Mt. Tenran for a magnificent mountainous lookout. Others opt for an adventure to the stratovolcano Sakurajima which may erupt on the visit — there are minor eruptions about 200 times a year! In the mood for some peaceful time in the great outdoors? Visit a hot spring for an all-natural hot tub, or paint a landscape while you take in the views. To summit all up, there are many ways to celebrate the treasures that nature and mountains offer. Happy Mountain Day, Japan! Early Doodle Drafts Location: Tags:
10.08.2023 12:45 Date: August 10, 2023 Today’s Doodle celebrates Ecuador’s Independence Day! The citizens of Quito made their first attempt to declare independence from Spain on this day in 1809. But the road to freedom was not easy for Ecuador. The Spanish resisted for several years before the Ecuadorians finally achieved independence in 1822. Today, Ecuadorians celebrate their hard-won victory by going to parades, concerts, and cultural festivals in Quito. One of the main events is a military parade that passes through Plaza de la Independencia, where onlookers can watch bands perform in bright uniforms and soldiers march in formation. Many people also spend the day with family and friends enjoying traditional meals such as hornado, a slow-roasted pork dish served with fried plantains, savory rice, and curtido, a fermented vegetable relish. The nation’s yellow, blue, and red–striped flag, depicted in today’s artwork, flies high across the country to remind Ecuadorians of their freedom. Happy Independence Day, Ecuador! Location: Tags:
10.08.2023 02:45 Date: August 10, 2023 Location: , , , , , , , Tags:
10.08.2023 02:45 Date: August 10, 2023 Today’s Doodle celebrates Swedish cross-country skier, physiotherapist, and gymnastics teacher Margit Nordin. On this day in 1897, she was born in Karlstad, Sweden. Nordin worked as a physiotherapist in Grängesberg and walked or skied a few miles daily to see her patients. As a result of all the travel, she was in great physical shape and decided to put her fitness level to the test. She signed up for the second annual Vasaloppet, now the world's biggest cross-country ski race, simply because she wanted to find out if she could ski the 90 km. Early 1900’s sports journalists weren’t thrilled when they heard a woman had registered, but there was no rule against it. The grueling race was considered a test of manhood, and they didn't anticipate that a woman would want to join. Reluctantly, the race officials allowed Nordin to compete. On the morning of March 4, 1923, Nordin lined up alongside 160 men in Sälen and began the long race. Ten hours and nine minutes later, she crossed the finish line grinning and received roaring applause and cheers. The other racers and many sports commentators were angry that Nordin got the loudest cheers despite finishing last. The Vasaloppet organization banned women from participating just eight days after Nordin’s race, claiming that athletic challenges like this are too hard on women’s bodies. Nordin never raced again, but continued skiing the beautiful Alps on her own and later opened a guesthouse near Bonn, Germany. Fellow female athletes have since been inspired by her bold venture into a sport that wasn’t yet inclusive to women. During the years that women weren’t welcome in the Vasaloppet, some snuck onto the course or used a fake name and donned a beard or mustache. And after 58 years, in 1981, women were once again allowed to participate. Recently, some women skiers created an initiative, Vasan för Margit, to encourage more women to ride the Vasaloppet. Several racers wear the number Nordin wore, 103, during their race to remember and pay tribute to the first woman that completed it. Happy brrrrrrthday, Margit Nordin! Early Doodle Drafts Location: , Tags:
08.08.2023 22:15 Date: August 9, 2023 Today’s Doodle celebrates Singapore National Day. On this day in 1965, Singapore officially gained independence from the Federation of Malaysia and became a sovereign nation. On the eve of National Day, the Prime Minister delivers an official address to citizens that celebrates its triumphs and articulates goals for the future. Today, Singapore’s National Day Parade attracts thousands of people from all over the country — and for good reason. The Parade features a breathtaking aerial show with the Singapore Armed Forces’ helicopters and fighter planes. At night, many Singaporeans gather with families and friends near the Parade to witness a visual spectacle of skyscraping fireworks against the Singaporean skyline. Today’s Doodle features Clarke Quay, a historical riverside quay that played a pivotal role in Singapore’s history. Situated along the Singapore River, the quay used to house warehouses that facilitated mercantile activity since the country’s pre-independence years. Today, with its restored shophouses in iconic pastel, Clarke Quay has been transformed into a scenic district with vibrant nightlife. The Doodle’s red frame is inspired by the city-state’s red and white national flag, which decorates homes and buildings leading up to and during the celebratory period. Happy National Day, Singapore! Location: Tags:
08.08.2023 02:45 Date: August 8, 2023 Happy Father's Day! Click today’s Doodle to browse some animal family throwback pics with dad over the years! Check out the behind-the-scenes process for today’s hand-crafted clay artwork by Doodler Celine You Early clay forms of the animals Partially painted clay forms Location: Tags:
