Gilbert Baker's birthday: 8 of the most spectacular uses of his LGBT rainbow flag

The flag's colours have been shone onto monuments around the world

The rainbow flag has been projected onto monuments all over the world. (Getty)

Google is honouring Gilbert Baker, the artist responsible for creating one of the most recognisable symbols of the LGBTQ movement, the rainbow flag.

Mr Gilbert huddled with fellow members of the LGBTQ community in a San Francisco gay community centre attic nearly 40 years ago, with fabrics that they then hand-dyed and sewed together themselves. From those humble beginnings, that rainbow flag has become an international symbol for the gay community, used to celebrate and mourn on some of the world's grandest canvasses - from the White House to the spire on the World Trade Center, and more.

Here are some of the most spectacular uses of the rainbow colours that Mr Baker helped make a defining aspect of the LGBTQ community and movement.

The White House

The rainbow flag has been projected onto monuments all over the world. (Getty)

The White House lit up with the colours of the rainbow flag in celebration of the Supreme Court's decision to uphold legal gay marriage, extending the right to marry to all 50 states in 2015.

Brussels Grand Place

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The heritage buildings on the Brussels Grand Place were illuminated in rainbow after the 2016 terror attack in Orlando, Florida, targeting a gay club. The public square was also lit up with the rainbow colours to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Belgian LGBTQ pride movement in 2015 (below).

(Getty (Getty)

Eiffel Tower

(Getty (Getty)

The Eiffel Tower in Paris was lit up following the Orlando attack.

One World Trade Center

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The World Trade Center in New York has been lit up on at least two occasions with the rainbow flag. It was illuminated once following the Supreme Court gay marriage decision, and then once again just shy of a year later following the Orlando attack.

The Empire State Building

Like the World Trade Center, the Empire State Building in New York was lit up for both the gay marriage decision and the Orlando attack.

The Space Needle

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The Space Needle in Seattle flew the rainbow flag at half mast in honour of the victims of the Orlando attack.

Brandenburg Gate

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Berlin honoured the dead in Orlando by illuminating the Brandenburg Gate.

San Francisco City Hall

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San Francisco, the home of the flag, honours Gay Pride by lighting up its city hall.