Google Doodles May 2016

May 19, 2016: Yuri Kochiyama's 95th Birthday 

It’s with great pleasure that Google celebrates Yuri Kochiyama, an Asian American activist who dedicated her life to the fight for human rights and against racism and injustice. Born in California, Kochiyama spent her early twenties in a Japanese American internment camp in Arkansas during WWII. She and her family would later move to Harlem, where she became deeply involved in African American, Latino, and Asian American liberation and empowerment movements. Today's doodle by Alyssa Winans features Kochiyama taking a stand at one of her many protests and rallies.

Kochiyama left a legacy of advocacy: for peace, U.S. political prisoners, nuclear disarmament, and reparations for Japanese Americans interned during the war. She was known for her tireless intensity and compassion, and remained committed to speaking out, consciousness-raising, and taking action until her death in 2014.

May 17, 2016: Norway National Day 2016

Today is Norway's national day or Constitution Day. On this day, children all over the country will participate in local parades that visit memorials, retirement homes, and civil centers. The largest parade is in Oslo, Norway's capital, with over 100 schools and their marching bands participating. The procession will pass the royal palace where the royal family will greet people from the main balcony. Today's Doodle gets in on the festivities with a depiction of the Eidsvoll — the historic building where the Norwegian Constitution was written.

Happy syttende mai, Norway!

May 15, 2016: Dominican Republic Elections 2016

May 14 & 18, 2016: Long Night of Museums 2016

Tonight, museums across Europe will take part in the Long Night of Museums. On this night, local cultural institutions will stay open extra-late to celebrate culture, science, and education.

Many museums provide free admission tonight with some cities also subsidizing public transport during this time. Check to see if your local exhibits are open to the public, and enjoy the treasures of our past.

May 13, 2016: Daeng Soetigna's 108th Birthday

Music can instantly transport a listener to a unique place and time. The melodic sounds of the angklung are no exception. One rap of the hand on this Indonesian bamboo instrument, and we’re transported to the tranquil islands of Southeast Asia. For this, we can thank Daeng Soetigna, whose novel seven-note diatonic angklung brought the tones of Indonesia to an international audience. While the oldest known angklung dates back to the 17th century, it was Soetigna’s modifications in 1938 that lifted it out of obscurity and into orchestras, concerts, and classrooms around the world.

May 12, 2016: Yom Ha'atzmaut 2016

Yom Ha'atzmaut (Day of Independence) is the national day of Israel, commemorating the Israeli Declaration of Independence in 1948. It is celebrated either on the 5th of Iyar, according to the Hebrew calendar, or on one of the preceding or following days, depending on which day of the week this date falls on. Yom Hazikaron, the Israeli Fallen Soldiers and Victims of Terrorism Remembrance Day is followed by Yom Ha'atzmaut.

May 9, 2016: Philippines Elections 2016

Today, Filipinos will decide not only the country’s 16th president, but also 12 senators, 297 house representatives, and thousands of governors, mayors, and city council members all across the country. The Philippines will awaken as a new country tomorrow. Have your say by voting today!

May 8, 2016: Parent's Day in Korea

In South Korea, Parent's Day is annually held on May 8th. Parent's Day is celebrated by both the public and the government. Family events focus on the parents; popular actions include giving parents carnations. Public events are led by the Ministry of Health and Welfare and include public celebrations and awards.

May 8, 2016: Mother's Day 2016

Mother’s Day is a celebration honoring the mother of the family, as well as motherhood, maternal bonds, and the influence of mothers in society. It is celebrated on various days in many parts of the world, most commonly in the months of March or May. It complements similar celebrations honoring family members, such as Father's Day and Siblings Day.

May 6, 2016: 2016 Hockey World Championship

The Hockey World Championship is underway in Russia, and fans everywhere are teeming with anticipation. Will Russia reclaim its elite status? Will Canada defend its title as the ice hockey world champions? The stakes couldn’t be higher.

May 6, 2016: Sigmund Freud's 160th Birthday

Sigmund Freud was an Austrian neurologist best known for developing the theories and techniques of psychoanalysis.

May 5, 2016: Father's Day 2016 (Germany)

In Germany, Father's Day (Vatertag) is celebrated differently from other parts of the world. It is always celebrated on Ascension Day (the Thursday forty days after Easter), which is a federal holiday. Regionally, it is also called men's day, Männertag, or gentlemen's day, Herrentag. It is tradition for groups of males (young and old but usually excluding pre-teenage boys) to do a hiking tour with one or more smaller wagons, Bollerwagen, pulled by manpower. In the wagons are wine or beer (according to region) and traditional regional food, Hausmannskost. Many men use this holiday as an opportunity to get drunk. According to the Federal Statistical Office of Germany, alcohol-related traffic accidents multiply by three on this day. The tradition of getting drunk is especially prevalent in Eastern Germany.

May 5, 2016: Children's Day 2016 (Japan & Korea)

Children's Day is recognized on various days in many places around the world to honor children globally. It was first proclaimed by the World Conference for the Well-being of Children in 1925 and then established universally in 1954 to protect an "appropriate" day.

May 4, 2016: Jane Jacobs’ 100th birthday.

Jane Jacobs OC OOnt (born Jane Butzner; May 4, 1916 – April 25, 2006) was a Canadian and American journalist, author, and activist best known for her influence on urban studies. Her influential book The Death and Life of Great American Cities (1961) argued that urban renewal did not respect the needs of most city-dwellers. The book also introduced sociology concepts such as "eyes on the street" and "social capital".

May 3, 2016: Teachers' Day 2016 (US)

Students often show appreciation for their teachers with gifts or thank-you cards. The National Education Association (NEA) describes National Teacher Day as "a day for honoring teachers and recognizing the lasting contributions they make to our lives"

May 2, 2016: Mario Miranda’s 90th birthday

Mario João Carlos do Rosario de Brito Miranda, ComIH (2 May 1926 – 11 December 2011), conveniently known as Mario Miranda or Mario de Miranda, was an Indian cartoonist and painter based in Loutolim in the Indian state of Goa. Miranda had been a regular with The Times of India and other newspapers in Mumbai, including The Economic Times, though he got his popularity with his works published in The Illustrated Weekly of India. He was awarded Padma Vibhushan in 2012.

May 1, 2016: Labour Day 2016

Labour Day is a public holiday honoring the many achievements of labor unions since the 1800s — in particular, the 8 hour working day. Reasonable wages, breaks, and paid vacation are all important to a fair and healthy economy. In some places, people spend the day protesting current labor conditions, attending public demonstrations, and events. Others attend festivals, concerts, or get together with family and friends. Some just spend the day not working.

The day originated in the United States during the Labour Movement that started in the state of Illinois. Now, it's observed in over 90 countries worldwide.  

Happy Labour Day, however you celebrate it.

May 1, 2016: Mother's Day 2016 (Spain, Portugal, Lithuania)

In Portugal, the "Dia da Mãe" ("Mother's Day") is an unofficial holiday held each year on the first Sunday of May (sometimes coinciding with Labour Day). The weeks leading up to this Sunday, school children spend a few hours a day to prepare a gift for their mothers, aided by their school teachers. In general, mothers receive gifts by their family members and this day is meant to be celebrated with the whole family. Before was celebrated at 8 December, the same date of the Conception of the Virgin celebration.

In Spain, Mother's Day or Día de la Madre is celebrated on the first Sunday of May. The weeks leading up to this Sunday, school children spend a few hours a day to prepare a gift for their mothers, aided by their school teachers. In general, mothers receive gifts by their family members & this day is meant to be celebrated with the whole family. It is also said to be celebrated in May, as May is the month dedicated to the Virgin Mary (mother of Jesus) according to Catholicism.

You can follow us on Twitter @tamtomo2 and @PC_holic, add us to your circle on Google+ or like our Facebook Page to keep yourself updated on all the latest from Google Doodle.