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1969 – ARPANET is Created
The U.S. Department of Defense launches ARPANET, the first network to use packet switching, laying the foundation for the modern internet. -
1971 – First Email is Sent
Ray Tomlinson sends the first-ever email, using the "@" symbol to separate the user from the machine name. -
1983 – TCP/IP Becomes the Standard
The adoption of the TCP/IP protocol makes it possible for different networks to connect, officially marking the birth of the internet. -
1989 – Tim Berners-Lee Proposes the World Wide Web
Berners-Lee outlines the concept of the World Wide Web while working at CERN, introducing hyperlinks and a universal way to access information. -
1991 – First Website Goes Live
The first-ever website (info.cern.ch) is published, explaining how the World Wide Web works. -
1993 – Mosaic Browser is Released
The Mosaic web browser launches, making the internet more accessible with a graphical interface instead of just text-based commands. -
1994 – Yahoo! and Amazon Launch
Yahoo! is created as an internet directory, while Amazon begins as an online bookstore, both setting the stage for the digital economy. -
1998 – Google is Founded
Larry Page and Sergey Brin create Google, revolutionizing internet searches with a better algorithm focused on relevance and ranking. -
2001 – Wikipedia is Launched
Wikipedia becomes the first major open-source online encyclopedia, allowing users worldwide to contribute and edit articles. -
2003 – MySpace and LinkedIn Debut
MySpace emerges as the first major social networking platform, while LinkedIn launches as a professional networking site. -
2004 – Facebook is Created
Originally for Harvard students, Facebook quickly expands to become a global social media platform. -
2005 – YouTube Launches
YouTube is introduced as a video-sharing platform, revolutionizing digital entertainment and online content creation. -
2006 – Twitter Goes Live
Twitter introduces short-form communication through "tweets," influencing news, activism, and social interactions. -
2007 – The iPhone Revolutionizes Mobile Internet
Apple’s iPhone popularizes mobile internet access, making browsing, apps, and social media more accessible on the go. -
2010 – Instagram and Pinterest Launch
Instagram brings photo-sharing to social media, while Pinterest becomes a platform for inspiration and discovery. -
2011 – Google+ Attempts to Challenge Facebook
Google launches its own social network, but it fails to gain traction and is later discontinued in 2019. -
2013 – Edward Snowden Leaks NSA Surveillance Programs
Snowden’s revelations expose mass government surveillance, sparking debates on privacy, security, and internet freedom. -
2016 – TikTok Emerges as a Major Social Media Platform
The short-video platform TikTok grows rapidly, reshaping digital entertainment and viral trends. -
2021 – Facebook Rebrands as Meta Facebook announces its shift toward building the
“metaverse,” signaling a future focus on virtual and augmented reality. -
2023 – AI Chatbots Become Mainstream
AI tools like ChatGPT gain widespread use, changing how people interact with technology, search for information, and create content.