February 4, 2004

Facebook, a social networking service, was launched by Mark Zuckerberg and his college roommates at Harvard University.

Cambridge, United States | Facebook, Inc.

Launch of Facebook: February 4, 2004

On February 4, 2004, a pivotal moment in the history of social media occurred with the launch of Facebook, a social networking service. This platform was created by Mark Zuckerberg, along with his college roommates Eduardo Saverin, Andrew McCollum, Dustin Moskovitz, and Chris Hughes, while they were students at Harvard University.

Background

  • Mark Zuckerberg: A sophomore at Harvard, Zuckerberg had already developed a reputation for creating software. Prior to Facebook, he had developed “Facemash,” a website that allowed students to compare the attractiveness of their peers. Although Facemash was short-lived, it demonstrated Zuckerberg’s interest in social networking.

  • The Idea: The concept for Facebook was to create an online directory that would connect people through their college networks. Initially called “Thefacebook,” it was designed to replicate the paper facebooks that universities distributed to students to help them get to know each other.

Launch and Early Days

  • Initial Launch: Thefacebook was launched exclusively for Harvard students. Within the first 24 hours, over 1,200 students registered. The platform allowed users to create profiles, upload photos, and connect with other students.

  • Expansion: Following its success at Harvard, Thefacebook expanded to other Ivy League universities and eventually to most universities in the United States and Canada. By the end of 2004, Facebook had reached over one million active users.

Key Features

  • User Profiles: Allowed users to list personal information, interests, and upload a profile picture.
  • Friend Connections: Users could send and accept friend requests to connect with others.
  • Wall: A space on each user’s profile where friends could post messages.

Broader Impact and Significance

  • Social Networking Revolution: Facebook’s launch marked the beginning of a new era in social networking, influencing how people connect and communicate online.
  • Cultural Phenomenon: It quickly became a cultural phenomenon, changing the landscape of digital interaction and setting the stage for the rise of social media as a dominant force in global communication.
  • Business Growth: Facebook’s rapid growth attracted significant investment, leading to its transformation from a college project into a multi-billion dollar company.

Aftermath

  • Global Expansion: Facebook opened to the general public in 2006, allowing anyone over the age of 13 with a valid email address to join.
  • IPO and Beyond: In 2012, Facebook held its initial public offering (IPO), becoming one of the largest and most anticipated IPOs in history.
  • Continued Influence: Today, Facebook is part of Meta Platforms, Inc., and remains one of the most influential social media platforms worldwide, with billions of active users.

The launch of Facebook on February 4, 2004, represents a significant milestone in the digital age, fundamentally altering how people interact and share information across the globe.

Reference: www.facebook.com