Google criticised over Sputnik celebration

The world’s most popular search engine often tweaks it colourful signature page to mark a significant date, covering its rainbow-hued letters with clover for St Patrick’s Day, for example, or stars and stripes on July 4.

But some critics have taken umbrage at the technology giant’s recent decision to honour the 50th anniversary of the Sputnik launch with a special homepage embellishment, while ignoring such American anniversaries as Memorial Day and Veterans Day.

Last week, the second "g" in Google was replaced with an image of the Soviet satellite blasting into space, angering some conservatives who accused the company of favouring the achievements of a Cold War enemy over commemorations for members of the US military.

“It’s a kick to your belly,” Giovanni Gallucci, 39, a conservative blogger and social media consultant from Dallas, told the Los Angeles Times.