Google Doodles

[Gopher Gary]

Today's Google Doodle is Winter Games 2022 Begin! (Mar 4)



The competitive critters featured in today’s Doodle have gathered from all over the world under the winter sky to keep their cool and put their opponents on ice. Who will be pouncing on victory and scurrying home an international legend?

Find out over the next few weeks as the Games have officially begun!   

 

[Gopher Gary]

Today's Google Doodle is International Women's Day 2022



Today’s annual International Women’s Day Doodle is an animated slideshow that transports us around the world to give a glimpse into the everyday lives of women across different cultures.

From a mother working from home to a motorcycle mechanic teaching her skills to the next generation, each illustration depicted in today’s Doodle is connected by the common thread of how women show up for themselves, their families, and their communities.

Happy International Women’s Day!

 

[Gopher Gary]

Today's Google Doodle is Rosa Bonheur's 200th Birthday.



Today’s Doodle celebrates the 200th birthday of French painter Rosa Bonheur, whose successful career inspired a future generation of women in the arts.

Rosa Bonheur was born on this day in 1822 in Bordeaux, France. Her early artistic education was facilitated by her father, a minor landscape painter. Although her aspirations for a career in the arts were unconventional for women of the time, Bonheur closely followed the development of artistic traditions through years of careful study and preparing sketches before immortalizing them on canvas.

Bonheur's reputation as an animal painter and sculptor grew into the 1840s, with many of her works exhibited at the prestigious Paris Salon from 1841 to 1853. Scholars believe an 1849 exhibition of “Plowing in Nivernais,” a government commission that is now housed in France’s Musée Nationale du Château de Fontainebleau, established her as a professional artist. In 1853, Bonheur garnered international acclaim with her painting “The Horse Fair,” which depicted the horse market held in Paris. As her most well-known work, this painting remains on exhibit in New York’s Metropolitan Museum of Art.

To honor this celebrated painting, the French Empress Eugénie awarded Bonheur the Legion of Honor—one of the nation’s most prestigious awards, in 1865.

[Gopher Gary]

Today's Google Doodle is Montserrat Caballé's 89th Birthday.



Montserrat “La Superba“ Caballé was known to have a personality that was larger-than-life—but it was the opera star’s voice that brought audiences to their feet. From her 1965 American debut at Carnegie Hall, Montserrat Caballé skyrocketed to international opera stardom and was celebrated for her distinctive bel canto vocal technique.

Born on this day in 1933 in Barcelona, Spain, much of Caballé’s youth was spent studying music and training her voice at the local liceo. After making her professional debut in Switzerland and early performances in Germany, Caballé went on to give more than 3,800 performances in over 80 roles on five continents.

Caballé’s ability to sing in multiple styles and keys opened doors to performing music ranging from Mozart to more traditional recital pieces all around the world. Her stellar career reached new heights in 1987, when she and close friend Freddie Mercury recorded “Barcelona”, the eventual anthem for the 1992 Barcelona Olympic Games. 

Caballé received five Grammy nominations during her career, winning the award in 1968 for Best Classical Vocal Performance. She also established Fundació Montserrat Caballé—an organization to support young talent in Barcelona—and served as a UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador.


Happy 89th Birthday, La Superba. Your legacy sings on.

[Gopher Gary]

Today's Google Doodle is Earth Day 2022.

Today’s annual Earth Day Doodle addresses one of the most pressing topics of our time: climate change.

Using real time-lapse imagery from Google Earth Timelapse and other sources, the Doodle shows the impact of climate change across four different locales around our planet. Stay tuned throughout the day to view these scenes, each remaining on the homepage for several hours at a time.

Mt. Kilimanjaro | Tanzania, Africa
Glacier retreat at the summit of Mt. Kilimanjaro


Sermersooq | Greenland
Glacier retreat in Greenland


Great Barrier Reef | Australia
Coral bleaching on Lizard Island, Australia


Harz Forests | Elend, Germany
Forests destroyed by bark beetle infestation
due to rising temperatures and severe drought

[Gopher Gary]

Today's Google Doodle is Celebrating Route 66



Today’s video Doodle takes you on the ultimate American road trip, a journey along the historic Route 66. The iconic highway, known for its retro diners, quirky motels, eclectic art installations and extraordinary landscapes, connects Chicago, Illinois to Santa Monica, California. On this day in 1926, the name “U.S. 66” was first proposed for the cross-country route.

Built during the start of mass car ownership in 1926, U.S. Highway 66 made cross-country travel affordable for the first time ever. It also served as an escape route for displaced families during the Dust Bowl. When severe dust storms ravaged the Great Plains in the 1930s, more than 200,000 refugees got on Route 66 to pursue a better life out West. Among these drivers was John Steinbeck, who traveled along Route 66 during this time to seek inspiration for The Grapes of Wrath.

When the American economy stabilized after World War II, Route 66’s popularity surged. Millions of travelers drove through the highway to witness awe-inspiring sites—like a 50,000-year-old meteor crater in northern Arizona, and graffiti-laden Cadillacs buried nose-down in Amarillo, Texas.

Although Route 66 was decommissioned in 1985, after five new interstate highways replaced it, many organizations campaigned to preserve the road to honor its historical significance. As a result, parts of Route 66 were preserved as State or National Scenic Byways. Travelers today can still find many original establishments from the heyday of the historic highway.

Today’s artwork celebrates the cultural significance of one of America’s first national highways, and how it became a symbol of a changing nation.

Honk if you love Route 66!

[odeon]

I'd love to drive it.

[Gopher Gary]

Today's Google Doodle is Celebrating Elijah McCoy.



Today’s Doodle celebrates the birthday of Elijah McCoy, a Black Canadian-American engineer and inventor who revolutionized train efficiency with his inventions. He held 57 patents in his lifetime, most of which were related to locomotives and railways.

In 1837, McCoy’s parents bravely escaped a life of enslavement in Kentucky through the Underground Railroad and sought freedom in Canada. Elijah was born in Colchester, Ontario and returned to the U.S. with his family at a young age. He grew up with a passion for problem-solving, mechanics, and trains. At age 15, he decided to further his education in the field and moved to Edinburgh, Scotland to become a mechanical engineer apprentice.

Upon his return, McCoy settled in Michigan as opportunities to find work in Canada were very limited. In 1866, Black Americans faced rampant racial discrimination, which made finding a job that aligned with his level of experience in mechanical engineering extremely difficult. He joined the Michigan Central Railroad as a fireman and oiler, and quickly identified how inefficient it was to have to stop trains every few miles in order to manually lubricate their engines.

Six years into his role, McCoy addressed this issue by inventing what was colloquially known as an “oil-drip cup.” The cup caused oil to steadily flow around the engine without needing to stop the train. Consequently, McCoy obtained his first patent, “Improvement in Lubricators for Steam Engines.” Future variations  of his invention were later used to revolutionize oil-drilling and mining equipment along with construction and factory tools.

 McCoy continued to design new inventions while working as a consultant to engineering companies, including patents for a lawn sprinkler and ironing board. He eventually founded the Elijah McCoy Manufacturing Company in 1920, which produced lubrication devices displaying his name.

In 2001, Elijah McCoy was inducted into the National Inventors Hall of Fame in Akron, Ohio and has a dedicated exhibit in the Detroit Historical Museum. McCoy’s innovations and ingenuity kept trains chugging and have laid the tracks for the well-oiled machines of today.

Happy birthday, Elijah McCoy!

[Gopher Gary]

Today's Google Doodle is US Teacher Appreciation Day 2022.



Happy U.S. Teacher Appreciation Day!

Today’s Doodle honors all the resilient teachers who have worked tirelessly to shape our future generations. Teachers today wear so many different hats—they are community builders, mentors, mediators, and even tech support for virtual and in-person learners.

Finding innovative ways to connect with, motivate, and inspire students in this ever-changing environment, educators are going above and beyond to empower every student.

To all educators everywhere: Thank you!

[Gopher Gary]

Today's Google Doodle is Mother's Day 2022



Happy Mother's Day! ❤️

[Gopher Gary]

Today's Google Doodle is Stacey Park Milbern's 35th Birthday.



tacey Park Milbern was a queer, Korean-American disability justice activist, who co-founded the disability justice movement and dedicated her life to advocating for marginalized communities. In honor of Asian Pacific American Heritage Month, today’s Doodle—illustrated by San Francisco, CA-based guest artist, Art Twink—celebrates Stacey Park Milbern’s legacy on what would be her 35th birthday.

Milbern was born in 1987 in Seoul, South Korea. She grew up in Fort Bragg, North Carolina and began her service as a leader for disability justice at the age of 16. After noticing a lack of advocacy for disabled LGBTQ+ and people of color, she teamed up with other activists in 2005 to coin disability justice—a framework dedicated to ensuring the perspectives of traditionally marginalized groups within the disabled community weren’t left out of the fight for disability rights.

At the age of 24, Milbern moved to the Bay Area, California, where she worked tirelessly to organize, write, and speak for the movement, and became Director of Programs at the Center of Independent Living.  In 2014, Milbern was appointed to the President’s Committee for People with Intellectual Disabilities and served as an advisor to the national administration.

“I want to leave a legacy of disabled people knowing we are powerful and beautiful because of who we are, not despite of it." - Stacey Park Milbern

From advocating for national legislation to building community through the Disability Justice Culture Club—Stacey Milbern always dreamed big and lived up to her values. Happy 35th birthday, Stacey Park Milbern.

Go behind-the-scenes of today’s Doodle below!

[Gopher Gary]

Today's Google Doodle is Gama Pehlwan's 144th Birthday.



Gama Pehlwan was widely considered one of best wrestlers of all time. Gama remained undefeated throughout his international matches and earned the name “The Great Gama.” Today’s Doodle—created by guest artist Vrinda Zaveri—celebrates Gama Pehlwan’s accomplishments in the ring but also the impact and representation he brought to Indian culture.

Traditional wrestling in North India started to develop around the early 1900s. Lower class and working class migrants would compete in royal gymnasiums and gained national recognition when lavish tournaments were won. During these tournaments, spectators admired the wrestlers' physiques and were inspired by their disciplined lifestyle.

Gama’s workout routine  included 500 lunges and 500 pushups at only 10 years old. In 1888, he competed in a lunge contest with over 400 wrestlers from around the country and won. His success at the competition gained him fame throughout the royal states of India. It wasn’t until he turned 15 that he picked up wrestling. By 1910, people were reading Indian newspapers with headlines praising Gama as a national hero and world champion. Gama is also considered a hero for saving the lives of many Hindus during the partition of India in 1947.  He spent the rest of his days until his death in 1960 in Lahore, which became a part of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan.

Gama earned many titles during his career, notably the Indian versions of the World Heavyweight Championship (1910) and the World Wrestling Championship (1927) where he was bestowed with the title of “Tiger” after the tournament. He was even presented a silver mace by the Prince of Wales during his visit to India to honor the great wrestler. Gama’s legacy continues to inspire modern day fighters. Even Bruce Lee is a known admirer and incorporates aspects of Gama's conditioning into his own training routine!

Happy 144th birthday, Gama Pehlwan!

[Gopher Gary]

Not officially a doodle, but the Google logo is gray today with a flag under the search bar. Hovering over the flag, there is a note: A moment of remembrance on Memorial Day.

[Gopher Gary]

Today's Google Doodle is Celebrating Kiyoshi Kuromiya



Today’s Doodle celebrates the inspiring life of Kiyoshi Kuromiya and the legacy of activism he left behind. He was involved in movements such as civil rights, anti-war, gay liberation, HIV/AIDS education and more. On this day in 2019, Kuromiya was inducted to the National LGBTQ Wall of Honor at the Stonewall National Monument.

Following the outbreak of World War II and due to Executive Order 9066, Kuromiya’s parents were among the over 120,000 Japanese-Americans forcibly relocated to government prison camps (aka Japanese internment camps). Kuromiya was born in an internment camp in northern Wyoming on May 9, 1943. After the war ended, Kuromiya’s family moved to California, where as a gay Asian-American man attending a primarily Caucsian schools, he experienced what it felt like to be perceived as different. He later shared that he did not know any of the terminology around gay culture due to a lack of literature. As a result, Kuromiya utilized his public library to learn more about his identity.

He later attended the University of Pennsylvania, where he was inspired by the Civil Rights Movement and found his footing as a social activist. He was one of the few Asian Americans who participated in the Selma to Montgomery marches in 1965. He also cultivated a close relationship with the Black Panther Party and championed intersectional solidarity between oppressed communities. Kuromiya participated with the Gay Pioneers in the first organized gay and lesbian civil rights demonstrations which were held at Independence Hall and the Liberty Bell each Fourth of July from 1965 to 1969. During this time the Vietnam War was raging on and he brought awareness to the UPenn campus around the inhumane use of napalm and designed an influential poster protesting the draft.

When the AIDS epidemic began devastating the gay community, Kuromiya turned his  activism efforts towards awareness for the virus. He became a self-educated expert after being diagnosed with AIDS, and involved himself in groups such as ACT UP Philadelphia and People with AIDS (PWA). In 1989, he founded the Critical Path Project, the first organization to provide a 24-hour hotline for the gay community.

In addition to being inducted to the National LGBTQ Wall of Honor at Stonewall, he was named a San Francisco Rainbow Honor Walk Honoree in 2018. As a proud gay man and AIDS survivor, Kuromiya served as a vocal leader for marginalized groups and zealously fought for social justice.

[Gopher Gary]

Today's Google Doodle is Angelo Moriondo's 171st Birthday



Once upon a time, in 19th century Italy, coffee was the hottest item around. Unfortunately, brewing methods required customers to wait over five minutes to get their drink. Enter Angelo Moriondo, the man who patented the first known espresso machine. Today’s Doodle celebrates his 171st birthday.

Moriondo was born on June 6, 1851 in Turin, Italy to a family of entrepreneurs who never stopped brewing new ideas or projects. His grandfather founded a liquor production company that was passed down to his son (Angelo’s father), who himself would later build the popular chocolate company, “Moriondo and Gariglio” alongside his brother and cousin.

Following in his family’s footsteps, Moriondo purchased two establishments: the Grand-Hotel Ligure in the city-center Piazza Carlo Felice and the American Bar in the Galleria Nazionale of Via Roma. Despite coffee’s popularity in Italy, the time spent waiting for coffee to brew inconvenienced customers. Moriondo figured that making multiple cups of coffee at once would allow him to serve more customers at a faster pace, giving him an edge over his competitors.

After directly supervising a mechanic he enlisted to build his invention, Moriondo presented his espresso machine at the General Expo of Turin in 1884, where it was awarded the bronze medal. The machine consisted of a large boiler that pushed heated water through a bed of coffee grounds, with a second boiler producing steam that would flash the bed of coffee and complete the brew. He received a patent titled,"New steam machinery for the economic and instantaneous confection of coffee beverage, method ‘A. Moriondo’." Moriondo continued to improve and patent his invention in the following years.

Happy 171st birthday, Angelo Moriondo. Today, coffee lovers sip in tribute to the godfather of espresso machines.


This Doodle was painted entirely with coffee!