Known as the greatest African storyteller of all time, novelist Chinua Achebe would have turned 87 years old today. In his honor, Google has commemorated the writer with a doodle to reflect his legacy and one of his most prominent works "Things Fall Apart." Here are many reasons why Achebe should be celebrated today, and for days and years to come.

Achebe was born in Ogidi in 1930 to an Igbo family. A studious son of an evangelical priest, he grew up listening to stories narrated in his community and grew intrigued with the art of storytelling. Being an exceptional scholar who spent much time in the library,  Achebe completed English studies at the University of Ibadan in four years versus the standard of five.

Photo: Igbofocus.co.uk

Later in1961, Achebe became employed by the Nigerian Broadcasting Corporation and married his wife Christie Okoli. Together the pair had four children.

Achebe was a forward-thinking man, who saw a need and aimed to fill it almost instantaneously. In order to provide African children with better quality books,  he co-founded the Citadel Press, along with renowned writer Christopher Okigbo to publish children's books. Achebe was disappointed in non-African authors' ignorance about the continent and its people. So, he told their stories himself. 

Achebe also embarked on a career in political activism. In 1967, when the region of Biafra declared independence, Achebe became an avid Biafran supporter.

Achebe wrote the following rhymes in "Refugee Mother and Child" about the situation in Biafra:

“Of unwashed children with washed-out ribs
And dried-up bottoms waddling in labored steps,
Behind blown-empty bellies. Other mothers there
Had long ceased to care, but not this one,”

Growing increasingly frustrated with the levels of corruption in Nigeria, Chinua emigrated to the United States in 1969 under the role of university lecturer. He eventually returned home to Nigeria in 1976 to teach as a professor of English.

Achebe relocated back to the U.S. in 1990 after a devastating car accident left him paralyzed and wheelchair bound. However, this physical impairment did not hinder his ability to spread knowledge and wisdom. He relocated back to the United States where he was a professor at Bard College for 15 years and then moved on to Brown University in 2009, as professor of African Studies.

Achebe died March 21, 2013, in Boston at the age of 82. His work and legacy forever live on. Happy birthday Chinua Achebe, and thank you Google for honoring Africa’s greatest storyteller.