On this day, February 4, 2004, a student at Harvard University invented a social networking site that would usher in the era of social media. This student was Mark Zuckerberg, who launched a social media website named Facebook. Its purpose was to connect Harvard students to each other. Today, everyone is familiar with this name. Stories of individuals going viral and trending began with this, transforming many into celebrities.
The day after its launch on February 4, 2004, over a thousand people registered on Facebook. This was just the beginning. Known today simply as Facebook, the website rapidly became one of the most significant social media platforms in history. Today, Facebook stands as one of the world's most valuable companies, boasting over two billion active users.
The Name is Now Meta
Facebook swiftly grew into a vast social media network. Its name has since changed, with the company operating as Meta. It's still under Mark Zuckerberg's leadership.
Facebook's origin has been meticulously examined, including in the acclaimed 2010 film 'The Social Network', yet the precise inspiration remains unclear. What is clear is Zuckerberg's mastery of both coding and creating sensations, skills that proved tremendously valuable at Harvard.
Before Facebook, Zuckerberg created a site called Facemash that caused a stir on campus, allowing students to vote on which of two randomly selected Harvard women they found more attractive. This put him in hot water with the administration and women's groups. Facemash was short-lived but gained significant popularity, leading Zuckerberg to contemplate the importance of a campus-wide social network.
