Founded by Sergey Brin and Larry Page in 1998, Google now operated in over 100 languages all over the world. The world’s most popular search engine is celebrating its 21st birthday with a doodle. The doodle shows a dated desktop computer with the Google search tab open on the screen. The timestamp on the doodle shows September 27, 1998.
The first Google doodle was created to commemorate the Burning Man festival. Following this, Google made it a tradition.
Below, we catalogue some of Google’s best doodles.
B.B. King’s 94th Birthday
What Google says: The doodle, illustrated by Little Rock-based guest artist Steve Spencer and animated by Brooklyn-based guest animator Nayeli Lavanderos, celebrates B.B. King—the iconic “King of the Blues” who brought blues music from cotton fields and street corners to grand halls and arenas across the world.
Amrita Pritam’s 100th Birthday
What Google says: This doodle celebrates Amrita Pritam, one of history’s foremost female Punjabi writers, who “dared to live the life she imagines.” Born in Gujranwala, British India, 100 years ago today, Pritam published her first collection of verse at age 16. She is most remembered for “Ajj Aakhaan Waris Shah Nu,” her poem lamenting the traumatic 1947 partition of India and Pakistan. The work’s title translates as “I Call upon Varis Shah Today,” referring to the 18th-century Sufi poet Waris Shah.
Muthulakshmi Reddi’s 133rd Birthday
What Google says: Today’s Doodle, illustrated by Bangalore-based guest artist Archana Sreenivasan, celebrates the Indian educator, lawmaker, surgeon, and reformer Muthulakshmi Reddi. Constantly breaking down barriers throughout her life, Reddi was a trailblazer who devoted herself to public health and the battle against gender inequality, transforming the lives of countless people—especially young girls.
Amrish Puri’s 87th Birthday
What Google says: If at first, you don’t succeed, try, try again—and you might end up like Indian film actor Amrish Puri, who overcame an early setback on the way to fulfilling his big-screen dreams. Today’s Doodle by Pune-based guest artist Debangshu Moulik celebrates the life and legacy of the renowned actor, born in Punjab on this day in 1932. Puri landed his first role at age 39 and went on to portray some of the most memorable villains in the history of Indian cinema.
Holi 2019
What Google says: From Bollywood films to music videos, the visual excitement of Holi has become a familiar sight: joyful revellers frolicking in the streets of India throwing handfuls of colourful powder on one another. There is a rich history behind this tradition, which is celebrated in today’s Doodle by Chennai-based artist Chaaya Prabhat.
For more Google doodles, click here.
