Google Doodle Celebrates Anniverary Of "Mr. Rogers' Neighborhood"

Years before we had RuPaul to remind us, “If you can’t love yourself, how the hell are you gonna love somebody else?,” the world had Fred Rogers, who encouraged love and self-confidence in his own singular way.

Fifty-one years ago today, the very first episode of Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood was taped in Pittsburgh at television station WQED.

The show would premiere nationally on PBS on February 19, 1968, and continue in production through an incredible 912 episodes until August 2001.

Today, Google celebrates Fred Rogers with a glorious Google Doodle that captures the spirit of love and inclusivity Rogers shared with the world for 31 seasons.

"The Doodle aims to be a reminder of the nurturing, caring, and whimsy that made the show feel like a 'television visit' between Mister Rogers and his young viewers," said Hedda Sharapan, a child development consultant at Fred Rogers Productions, in a statement. "Everyone was welcome in this Neighborhood."

From Google:

Today’s stop-motion, animated video Doodle celebrating Mister Rogers was created in collaboration with Fred Rogers Productions, The Fred Rogers Center, and BixPix Entertainment.

Set to the iconic opening song of Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood (“Won’t You Be My Neighbor"), the Doodle aims to be a reminder of the nurturing, caring, and whimsy that made the show feel like a “television visit” between Mister Rogers and his young viewers.

Rogers would close episodes of his iconic show with the reminder, “There's only one person in the whole world that's like you, and that's you. And people can like you exactly the way you are.”

It's easy to imagine how many LGBTQ folks needed to hear exactly that message.

More from the wise and wonderful Rogers:

“Love is at the root of everything - all learning, all parenting, all relationships. Love, or the lack of it.”

“Knowing that we can be loved exactly as we are gives us all the best opportunity for growing into the healthiest of people.”

And, of course, Rogers’ famous catch phrase, “Won’t you be my neighbor?,” was a reminder, in the simplest of terms, to invite and offer kindness.

Can I get an 'Amen?'

Watch the Google Doodle below.

Google Doodle Celebrates 66th Birthday Of Gilbert Baker, Creator Of The Rainbow Flag

Google Doodle celebrates the 66th birthday of Gilbert Baker, the creator of the rainbow flag, a symbol of pride and freedom for the LGBTQA+ community.

Baker, who passed away in March of this year, designed the flag in 1978 in San Francisco.

You can see the animated doodle here.

Teaching himself to sew, Baker put his skills to work for the San Francisco gay community, making banners for marches and protests. In 1978 Baker used those skills to create a new symbol for the LGBT Community to replace the pink triangle, a symbol of oppression and devastation from the Nazi’s classification of LGBT people in World War II. Baker’s Rainbow was a more positive and celebratory symbol.

“We needed something beautiful, something from us,” Baker explained. “The rainbow is so perfect because it really fits our diversity in terms of race, gender, ages, all of those things. Plus, it’s a natural flag—it’s from the sky!”

Making the flag was no small task. Baker gathered thirty people in the attic of the Gay Community Center in San Francisco to hand-dye and sew together over 1000 yards of cotton. The modern day rainbow flag features six colors, but the original used eight, each representing a different aspect of the community. The iconic symbol stuck and soon Baker was flooded with requests for more flags.

Baker’s sister, Ardonna Cook, also reflects on his life and legacy by sharing, “Our family is so proud of the legacy of activism and artistry that Gilbert has left to the world. He touched millions across the globe and empowered them to become stronger and more visible LGBT people. Gilbert led a bold and inspiring life by bringing The Rainbow Flag to life and it is that legacy which should guide us in respecting and celebrating diversity.”

Google Doodle Honors Silver Screen Legend Hedy Lamar

Google Doodle honors movie legend Hedy Lamarr, who would have turned 101 today.

While I've always known that the film actress was considered one of the most glamorous during her silver screen years, what I didn't know was that she helped develop a radio encryption system that would eventually be the basis for wi-fi, Bluetooth and more. She worked alongside composer George Antheil on a secret communications system that would help guide torpedoes during WWII.

Who knew?

Lamarr passed away in 2000 at the age of 86.

Very cool animation by Google Doodle honoring the film star.

(h/t JMG)