Facebook is possibly one of the most recognizable names of the 21st century.
The social networking site is known as a place to share photos, post to your “wall,” and update your friends and family on almost any topic of your choosing.
Mark Zuckerberg, born in White Plains, New York, is best known as the creator of Facebook. His story is one of trial, error, and ultimately success, and it is still evolving.
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On this day, February 4, 2004, Harvard student Zuckerberg launched what was then known as Facebook.
Zuckerberg's path to Facebook began in 2003 with an online program called Facemash, for which he was the lead developer.
Mark Zuckerberg was a student at Harvard University when he launched Facemash and Facebook. He eventually dropped out to run the business. (Taylor Hill/Getty Images)
The concept revolved around the idea that students could judge the attractiveness of their college peers using the program, according to Britannica.
The site was initially considered successful: 450 students joined from the start.
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However, Facemash violated a university policy and was shut down after just two days, as noted by Britannica.
Facebook was launched in February 2004. Its purpose was to allow college students to share photos and personal updates with others. (Juana Arias/The Washington Post via Getty Images)
Zuckerberg took note of the rapid success of Facemash and decided to launch a different site for Harvard students, called The Facebook, in February 2004.
This intriguing site was different: It allowed students to post photos and information about themselves, such as their class schedules, as Britannica reported.
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Popularity increased and the site soon expanded to include students from Yale and Stanford.
In the site's first four months of operation, more than 250,000 students were on Facebook, spanning more than 34 schools, according to Britannica.
Facebook's popularity skyrocketed after its launch and has remained stable for about 20 years. (iStock)
By the end of 2004, Facebook had more than a million users, and Zuckerberg dropped out of Harvard to run the business.
Continued success came when the platform introduced an unlimited photo tagging and uploading feature, and lowered the registration age to 13 years old.
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Facebook was also able to monetize its app early on by allowing businesses to purchase ad space within the site.
The social media platform is available as a cell phone application. As technology has evolved, so has Facebook. (iStock)
Over the years, Menlo Park, California-based Facebook has faced backlash for lack of privacy and selling user data, according to History.com.
The story of Facebook's founding and its early, rocky road to success was made into a 2010 film, starring actor Jesse Eisenberg and Justin Timberlake, called “The Social Network.”
On this day, February 4, 2004, Mark Zuckerberg's “The Facebook” was launched for Harvard students. Meta Platforms is headquartered in Menlo Park, California. (Taylor Hill/Getty Images/iStock)
(At the 83rd Academy Awards, the film received eight nominations, including Best Picture, Best Director, and Best Actor for Eisenberg, and won for Best Adapted Screenplay, Best Original Score, and Best Film Editing.)
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Zuckerberg's technology company, Facebook, Inc., today owns several companies such as Instagram, WhatsApp, Messenger, and more.
In October 2021, Facebook, Inc. announced that its parent company's name would change to Meta Platforms, referring to a virtual reality experience for users on its platforms, according to Britannica.
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