Google’s 27th Birthday: Why the Tech Giant Celebrates on September 27 and the Legacy of Its First Logo
Google’s 27th birthday was celebrated on September 27, 2025, with a nostalgic doodle that transported millions of users back to 1998. The homepage featured the company’s very first logo, a throwback that reminded the world how a small Stanford research project grew into a global technology leader.
Google Doodle Brings Back the 1998 Logo
For google's 27th birthday, the company chose to revive its earliest design through a special Google Doodle. The logo, displayed on the search engine’s homepage, was simple yet iconic, reflecting the early vision of Larry Page and Sergey Brin.
The Doodle page described the homage as a bridge between past and present, celebrating Google’s evolution while reminding users of its roots. By featuring the serif-based original logo, Google tapped into nostalgia and showcased the foundation of its design journey.
The Story Behind Google Founding Date and Birthday Confusion
Google was officially incorporated on September 4, 1998, but the company now marks its birthday on September 27. This choice was not immediate—different years saw Google celebrating on varying dates throughout September. By 2006, the company settled on September 27, linking the anniversary to a major milestone in indexing growth.
This symbolic choice allows the company to highlight its achievements, not just its formal paperwork date.
Timeline of Key Dates
| Event | Date | Significance |
|---|---|---|
| BackRub project begins | 1996 | Early research by Page and Brin |
| Google incorporation | September 4, 1998 | Official founding date |
| First Google Doodle | 1998 | Introduced the playful culture |
| Birthday moved to Sept 27 | 2006 | Tied to indexing milestone |
From BackRub to Google: The Early Years
Before becoming Google, the search engine was known as BackRub, a Stanford University project. Larry Page and Sergey Brin designed an algorithm that ranked websites based on links, an innovation that set them apart.
The name later changed to Google, inspired by the mathematical term googol (1 followed by 100 zeros). This name captured the founders’ vision of organizing limitless information on the internet.
The startup received a $100,000 check from Sun Microsystems co-founder Andy Bechtolsheim, giving Google the financial lift it needed to incorporate and grow. From a small garage in Menlo Park, Google expanded into one of the world’s most powerful companies.
Ruth Kedar and the Google Logo Legacy
One of the most memorable aspects of Google’s identity has always been its logo. Designed by Ruth Kedar, a Stanford faculty member, the original logo introduced the colorful palette that remains central to the brand.
Kedar used the Catull serif typeface and a sequence of primary colors, breaking conventions with a green letter to signal creativity and playfulness. This design choice balanced professionalism with approachability.
Even though the logo has evolved over time, the color pattern and simplicity introduced by Kedar still define the Google brand. The doodle for google's 27th birthday highlighted her influence by reviving the original design.
Celebrations Across Google Offices and Communities
While millions saw the doodle online, Google also marked the day internally. At its Bengaluru office, employees gathered for celebrations with cake, food, and reflections on the company’s journey. The message “Thank you for searching with us” resonated across its global user base, emphasizing the bond between Google and its billions of daily users.
The Broader Legacy of Google’s Growth
In 27 years, Google has transformed from a search engine into a multifaceted tech powerhouse under its parent company, Alphabet. Beyond Search, Google is now central to cloud computing, Android, YouTube, AI research, and more.
The company’s birthdays serve as milestones, acknowledging humble beginnings while pointing toward future innovations. Google’s 27th birthday not only honored its past but also reminded the world of its continuing influence on the digital age.
