Tech & Biz

L.L. Zamenhof Steals Google Spotlight From Bill Of Rights Day

by Yuliya Talmazan | December 15, 2009 at 11:30 am

769 views | 15 Recommendations | 7 comments

Today is the 118th anniversary of the ratification of the U.S. Bill of Rights, but the buzz is not about the ten amendments. Instead, it is all about what search engine Google did, or rather did not do today. Internet is on fire right now with people discussing why Google chose to honor the 150th birthday of the 'father' of Esperanto L.L. Zamenhof rather than honoring the anniversary of the signing of the Bill of Rights, a milestone event in the history of the United States.

Today's Google Doodle featured a green flag with green star - a symbol of Esperanto language and philosophy. But, millions of Americans expected to see Stars and Stripes when they logged on to Google this morning. But, Google Doodle, a.k.a. the Internet Hall Of Fame, chose otherwise. However, right now Google.com does not feature any doodle in its logo, to play it safe perhaps.

Here are some of the inflammatory comments people made in regards to Google's "faux pas" today:

GothBunnyy: Is a little miffed Google is honoring the 150th birthday of LL Zamenhof and not the Bill of Rights. Universal Language is cool, but still.

domreplv: Shame On Google.Com. Today is the 220 anniversary of the Bill Of Rights. But Google Celebrate the 150th Birthday of ll Zamenhof. Shame On U.

thorkyl: @Google celebrating a foreign born Humanist anti-clericalism instead of our Bill of Rights

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5thgradeteacher (not verified)

at 12:20 on December 15th, 2009

I'm teacher and I think that Google was in there rights in doing this. I wish we could remember that American's are not the only important people on the planet. Google in now Universal and they use their logo ad to educate the public of knowlege that is uncommon. All Americans should already know about importance of today. It is the job of public schools, local media, and parents to educate citizens about the Bill of Rights today. I wounder how many American's clicked on the Google logo and learned something new about an important person from another country. It takes efforts like to this get to know and understand cultures around the world in order to bring unity on this planet. It's negitaive comments about Google logo ad that give us American a bad, selfcenterd name. Let me remind you that the Bill of Rights didn't do anything for the Native Americans who already lived in this Glorious land. If there is a real personal meaning toward the Bil of Rights, Americans should volunteer at their charity or shelter. Also another things to be proud of is that our Bill of Rights helped inspire the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Take time to understand cultures differents from ourselves.

Harold Goodman (not verified)

at 13:10 on December 15th, 2009

Esperanto is the only real auxiliary language in the world.Last summer I attended a three week session at the UCSanDiego. All our classes were taught in Esperanto. There were plays, movies, all kinds of activities in Esperanto. All conversation was in the only common language that the participants from Africa, Europe, many, many countries had in common - Esperanto.Esperanto works. It is completely regular and the easiest language in the world to learn.Google is absolutely right to honor the only neutral, international language, a language that has been uniting and supporting all of us since its inception in the 1880s.Esperanto rocks!

Jeremy Aldrich (not verified)

at 13:21 on December 15th, 2009

It "stole" the spotlight? I didn't know Google owed it to (who? the US government?) to push aside every other celebration in the world. I for one was immensely pleased at their choice, which they have never done before and likely won't do again anytime soon, since it seems linked to the nice round anniversary of Zamenhof's birth (150 years). It wouldn't surprise me if the same people who shriek about an imaginary "War on Christmas" are the sames ones squawking to try to minimalize another group's holiday, which happens to be one my family has celebrated for several years.

Roĉ (not verified)

at 13:54 on December 15th, 2009

Also, a 150th birthday seems to me a lot more special than a 118th anniversary. I'm sure the Bill of Rights will be there when it turns 125.

Bill Chapman (not verified)

at 14:05 on December 15th, 2009

Dr Zamenhof was a great believer in the rights of all the peoples of the world. It is right to acknowledge his contribution to friendship between peoples. Esperanto has a part to play in equitable communication.

nanute

at 14:38 on December 15th, 2009

If it's not in English it is politically incorrect?

Cruise Cricket (not verified)

at 16:15 on December 15th, 2009

Wow ... this brings back memories! Esperanto is an easy language to learn, I just wish there was more of an opportunity to use it around where I live. When I was in grade school, my cousin and I would converse in our 'secret language' ... mostly to impress the girls ... but also because it was a fun thing to do. All the memories flooding back now I remember my by-line! La fantoma skribulo strikas denove! (The phantom scribbler strikes again). I'd leave that written up on the chalk board after class when no one was around. Ahhh such fun times :-)