Mar 20, 2016
First Day of Spring 2016 (Northern Hemisphere)
This Doodle’s Key Themes
Today is the vernal equinox. It’s the moment when the tilt of the earth’s axis means people in every corner of the planet--from Caracas, Venezuela to Helsinki, Finland--get almost exactly twelve hours of daylight. The ancient Maya waited eagerly for this time of year, when the sun would cast seven perfect shadows on the Temple of Kukulcan and portend a fruitful harvest. Shakespeare knew this day as a harbinger of longer twilights, when songbirds returned and the first hint of lilac blossoms drifted in the air. And here, we’re ushering in March 20th--the first day of spring--with this whimsical creation by animator Nate Swinehart. Here’s to the season of renewal and the warmer days ahead.
Where this Doodle appeared
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