An animated Google Doodle of the UAE's flag fluttering in the wind is visible on homepages across the nation on Friday, as the search engine giant marks the country's 51st National Day.
Once users click on the animation, fireworks shoot across the web page in green, white and black, the colours of the UAE flag, which Google explains "represent courage, prosperity, peace and strength of mind".
"On this day in 1971, Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Ajman, Al Ain, Sharjah, and Umm Al Quwain united to form one country," reads Google's description of the doodle. "Ras Al Khaimah, the seventh emirate, joined the following year to complete what is now known as the United Arab Emirates.
"Celebrations kick off with an exhilarating show at Zayed Sports City Stadium in Abu Dhabi. Thousands of people gather to watch orchestras, musicians and aerobatic displays. After national leaders give speeches to honour the country's founding fathers, fireworks splash across the Abu Dhabi skyline as festivities carry into the night."
Scroll through the gallery below to see how the UAE is marking its 51st National Day
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The University of Dubai marks National Day with a distinguished celebration. Photo: Wam -
Global Village provides musical performances and entertainment activities for guests as part of its National Day celebrations. Photo: Wam -
Sheikh Omar bin Saqr witnessed the celebrations held under the flagpole on Al Qawasim Corniche for National Day. Photo: Wam -
Parasailing with the flag colours on the UAE's 51st National Day, off the Abu Dhabi Corniche. Khushnum Bhandari / The National -
Emirati women make traditional handicrafts at the Heritage Village, in Abu Dhabi. Khushnum Bhandari / The National -
Picnic time at Abu Dhabi's Corniche. Khushnum Bhandari / The National -
Dhows and other boats decked out in UAE flags, by the Heritage Village. Khushnum Bhandari / The National -
A background projection of UAE Founding Father, the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, at a National Day celebration organised by the Sultan bin Ali Al Owais Cultural Foundation, under the patronage and presence of Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Tolerance and Coexistence. Wam -
The event, featuring Arab dance troupe Ornina, began with the national anthem and included expressive paintings evoking the life and achievements of Sheikh Zayed. Wam -
The Sultan bin Ali Al Owais Cultural Foundation celebration of National Day was held at the Abu Dhabi Cultural Foundation. WAM -
Dancers at the spectacular celebration of National Day staged by the Sultan bin Ali Al Owais Cultural Foundation. Wam -
National Day celebration set to start in the historic Al Shindagha area of Bur Dubai. Antonie Robertson/The National -
National Day celebration set to start in the historic Al Shindagha area of Bur Dubai. Antonie Robertson/The National -
Residents enjoy a relaxing National Day holiday at Zabeel Park in Dubai. Pawan Singh / The National -
Marking the 51st National Day with a picnic at Zabeel Park. Pawan Singh / The National -
Taking some transport to get around Zabeel Park on National Day. Pawan Singh / The National -
Residents take a picnic beneath decorations in the colours of the UAE flag at Zabeel Park. Pawan Singh / The National -
Young residents enjoy some fun in a play area at Zabeel Park on National Day. Pawan Singh / The National -
Residents relax with family and friends beneath the shade of trees at Zabeel Park, as the UAE celebrates its 51st National Day. Pawan Singh / The National -
On the eve of the 51st National Day by Abu Dhabi Marina. Khushnum Bhandari / The National -
The Ministry of Interior celebrated the 51st Federation Day of the UAE. Wam -
A child waves the UAE flag during the long weekend at Abu Dhabi Corniche. Khushnum Bhandari / The National -
The Abu Dhabi Fund for Development organised a celebration for the 51st National Day, in the presence of Mohammed Saif Al Suwaidi, Director General of the Fund. WAM -
Sunset over Qasr Al Watan during the long weekend holiday at Abu Dhabi Corniche. Khushnum Bhandari / The National -
A plane flies over the Founder's Memorial in Abu Dhabi, celebrating the 51st National Day. Wam -
Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Co-operation, at an event organised by the Ministry to celebrate the country's 51st National Day. Wam -
Police participate in National Day celebrations in Ras Al Khaimah. Sheikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi, Ruler of Ras Al Khaimah, and Sheikh Ahmed bin Saud Al Qasimi, Head of the General Services Department in Ras Al Khaimah, attended the event. Wam -
Sheikh Abdullah attends an event to celebrate 51 years since the founding of the UAE. Wam -
Dhows during the National Day long weekend holidays at Abu Dhabi Corniche. Khushnum Bhandari / The National -
Airah Nazrin, 3, from Kerala, India dressed in colours of the UAE flag during National Day holidays at Abu Dhabi Corniche. Khushnum Bhandari / The National -
Tourists taking photographs during the National Day long weekend at Abu Dhabi Corniche. Khushnum Bhandari / The National -
Dhows off Abu Dhabi Corniche. Khushnum Bhandari / The National -
Parasailing with the UAE colours during the 51st National Day long weekend at Abu Dhabi Corniche. Khushnum Bhandari / The National -
A car decorated with a UAE flag at Abu Dhabi Corniche. Khushnum Bhandari / The National -
Dhows moored at the Heritage Village in Abu Dhabi. Khushnum Bhandari / The National -
A young girl poses with a falcon at the Heritage Village during the 51st National Day long weekend in Abu Dhabi. Khushnum Bhandari / The National -
Families feed pigeons during the 51st National Day long weekend in Abu Dhabi. Khushnum Bhandari / The National -
Tourists take photos by a UAE flag at Abu Dhabi Corniche. Khushnum Bhandari / The National -
Dhows moored at the Heritage Village in Abu Dhabi. Khushnum Bhandari / The National -
UAE flags fly along Sheikh Zayed Road between Business Bay and Al Safa in Dubai. Antonie Robertson / The National -
A busy Kite Beach in Dubai for the National Day holiday. Pawan Singh / The National -
Al Bahr Towers illuminated for National Day, while Mubadala tower, right, marks Commemoration Day, in Abu Dhabi. Khushnum Bhandari / The National -
Lights on a roundabout in Dubai Silicon Oasis. Chris Whiteoak / The National -
The Tiara revolving restaurant and the new Rixos Marina in Abu Dhabi. Khushnum Bhandari / The National -
Lights on a roundabout in Remraam, Dubai. Chris Whiteoak / The National -
Emirates Palace in Abu Dhabi. Khushnum Bhandari / The National -
More lights in Dubai Silicon Oasis. Chris Whiteoak / The National -
Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank head office. Khushnum Bhandari / The National -
Dubai Silicon Oasis. Chris Whiteoak / The National -
The Abu Dhabi Municipality building. Khushnum Bhandari / The National -
Dubai Silicon Oasis. Chris Whiteoak / The National -
The entrance to Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank's head office. Khushnum Bhandari / The National -
Street lights in Abu Dhabi. Khushnum Bhandari / The National -
Abu Dhabi Mall. Khushnum Bhandari / The National -
UAE flags on display in Ras Al Khaimah. Antonie Robertson / The National -
More flags in Ras Al Khaimah. Antonie Robertson / The National -
National Day will be celebrated across the Emirates. Antonie Robertson/The National
This isn't the first time Google has marked UAE's National Day.
In 2020, the same animated flag was used, while there were different doodles used in 2015 and 2014, paying homage to various landmarks across the country.
In 2017, a doodle by illustrator Cynthia Yuan Cheng depicted two children in traditional Emirati dress playing with an oryx and falcon, the national animal and national bird of the UAE.
Google pays homage to the Mena region
The search engine often pays tribute to famous figures across the Mena region.
Only this week, Emirati poet Ousha bint Khalifa Al Suwaidi, or Ousha the Poet, was honoured with a dedicated doodle.
One of the greatest Nabati poets of the 20th century, Al Suwaidi was recognised on November 28 in 2011 for her contributions to literature.
Earlier this month, Google honoured Egyptian scientist and marine biologist Hamed Gohar, who was known by a whole generation of Arabs as the host of Sea World, a TV show he fronted for more than 18 years.
Last month, it celebrated the life of Moroccan singer Haja El Hamdaouia, who influenced generations of artists with her innovative style of Moroccan chaabi music.
Earlier, it marked what would have been Egyptian historian Mostafa Abdel-Hamid El Abbadi's 94th birthday.
Scroll through the gallery below to see other regional Google Doodles over the past few years
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A Google Doodle celebrating Egyptian actress Karima Mokhtar's 89th birthday. All images: Google -
Egyptian writer Ihsan Abdel Quddous -
Kuwaiti actor and comedian Abdulhussain Abdulredha's 83rd birthday -
UAE National Day 2022 Google Doodle. -
Ousha Al Suwaidi was a poetess from the United Arab Emirates. -
Prof. Hamed Abdel Fattah Goher was an Egyptian oceanographer, scientist and TV presenter. -
Tunisia's Tawhida Ben Cheikh was a pioneer in women's medicine. -
Google Doodle of Egyptian actor and director Nour El-Sherif honours him on what would have been his 75th birthday. -
Google celebrates Syrian-Egyptian composer and actor Farid Al Atrash with a Google Doodle to mark what would have been his 110th birthday. -
Children's author Notaila Rashed is honoured with a special Google Doodle to mark her 86th birthday. -
Egyptian actress, producer, writer and filmmaker Bahiga Hafez was born 112 years ago, on August 4. -
The Google Doodle for January 20, 2020, celebrates Mufidah Abdul Rahman, Egypt's first female lawyer. -
A Google Doodle on June 10, 2019, celebrates Egyptian author Ahmed Khaled Towfik. -
Google Doodle honours Persian mathematician, poet and astronomer Omar Khayyam on what would have been his 971st birthday. -
Mary Mounib was a renowned actress in the Egyptian cinema scene. Her 114th birthday is marked in a Google Doodle on February 11, 2019. -
Egyptian poet Gamila El Alaily is honoured in a Google Doodle on March 20, 2019. -
Syrian artist Louay Kayali is the subject of Google's doodle on January 20, 2019. -
Egyptian-French singer and actress Dalida is honoured on her birthday by Google Doodle, on January 17, 2019. -
Egyptian actress Hind Rostom is celebrated in a Google Doodle on her 87th birthday, on November 12, 2018. -
Ibn Sina, one of the greatest thinkers of Islam's golden age, is honoured on August 7, 2018. -
A Google Doodle honours Saudi musician Talal Maddah on what would have been his 78th birthday, on August 5, 2018. -
A Google Doodle gif marks Egyptian actor Omar Sharif's birthday on April 10, 2018. -
Egyptian poet Farouk Shousha is honoured by Google on what would have been his 82nd birthday, on January 9, 2018. -
Google celebrates Lebanese singer Sabah's 90th birthday on November 10, 2017. -
Egyptian painter Inji Aflatoun's Google Doodle pays homage to her style of bold brushstrokes. -
Google celebrates the birthday of Algerian painter Mohammed Khadda, who was born on March 14, 1930. -
Lebanese singer-songwriter Melham Barakat is honoured by Google on his birthday.
