Google Maps is Unleashed

Google MapsFebruary 8, 2005

Google Maps is launched to the public. I never had to ask for directions again. Not that I did before.

24 Hours in Cyberspace

24 Hours in CyberspaceFebruary 8, 1996

The massive Internet collaboration “24 Hours in Cyberspace” takes place. It was so early in the history of the mainstream Internet, I bet none of you remember this. I didn’t!

First Victoria’s Secret Webcast

Victoria's Secret

February 5, 1999

Victoria’s Secret holds their first annual online fashion show. The event attracts 1.5 million visitors. While the technology was no where near as advanced as it was today, it was considered the first major successful webcast.

Facebook is Born

Facebook LikeFebruary 4, 2004

Mark Zuckerberg launches Thefacebook, which later becomes Facebook. The world changes forever. And we like it.

Yahoo! Buys GeoCities

GeoCities LogoJanuary 28, 1999

Yahoo! buys GeoCities for $3.65 billion USD. GeoCities was an early web hosting service getting its start in 1994. As a testament to its popularity, there were at least 38 million pages remaining on GeoCities when Yahoo!  shut it down in 2009.

Jim Clark Leaves Silicon Graphics

Netscape LogoJanuary 27, 1994

Silicon Graphics Inc. co-founder Jim Clark leaves the company to start Mosaic Communications, the operation that later became Netscape Communications Corp. With Netscape cofounder Marc Andreesen, Clark helped popularize the World Wide Web by distributing the company’s browser for free.

Java Released; Coffee Drinkers Confused

Java LogoJanuary 23, 1996

The first version of the Java programming language was released. The ability of Java to “write once, run anywhere” made it ideal for Internet-based applications. As the popularity of the Internet soared, so did the usage of Java.

Twitter.com is Born

Twitter LogoJanuary 21, 2000

The domain name twitter.com was registered. However, it wasn’t until 2006 that the domain was purchased by Twitter, Inc. and took the form we know today.

The Happy99 Worm Appears

Happy99 WormJanuary 20, 1999

The Happy99 worm first appeared. It invisibly attached itself to emails, displayed fireworks to hide the changes being made, and wished the user a happy New Year. It was the first of a wave of malware that struck Microsoft Windows computers over the next several years, costing businesses and individuals untold amounts of money to resolve.

Yahoo.com Registered

Yahoo! LogoJanuary 18, 1995

The domain name yahoo.com is registered. Previously, the web site was called “David and Jerry’s Guide to the World Wide Web”. I think they chose wisely.