In short
Jimmy Wales and Larry Sanger launched Wikipedia on January 15, 2001, as a free online encyclopedia that anyone could edit. The site combined wiki software with open collaboration, creating a model where thousands of volunteer contributors could collectively build and maintain an encyclopedia without traditional gatekeepers. It became the largest reference work ever assembled.
How it unfolded.
The five-minute version
What actually happened.
Wikipedia is a free online encyclopedia written and maintained by a community of volunteers, known as Wikipedians, through open collaboration and the wiki software MediaWiki. Founded by Jimmy Wales and Larry Sanger in 2001, Wikipedia has been hosted since 2003 by the Wikimedia Foundation, an American nonprofit organization funded mainly by donations from readers. Wikipedia is the largest and most read reference work in history.
As it was happening
10 voices, 1598 days.
One beat at a time. Click any dot on the timeline to jump, press play for autoplay, or use the arrow keys to step.
Wikipedia launches
Jimmy Wales and Larry Sanger launch Wikipedia as a free online encyclopedia written collaboratively by volunteers using wiki software.
Voices from this moment (1)
Wikipedia launches
Jan 15
“Jimmy Wales and Larry Sanger launch Wikipedia as a free…”
As it was happening
10 voices, 1598 days.
Day 0 · January 15, 2001
Wikipedia launches
Jimmy Wales and Larry Sanger launch Wikipedia as a free online encyclopedia written collaboratively by volunteers using wiki software.
“Jimmy Wales and Larry Sanger launch Wikipedia as a free…”
- Wikipedia launches, Jan 15
Day 45 · March 1, 2001
First non-English Wikipedia
Wikipedia expands beyond English with the launch of the German language edition.
“A Site That Aims to Be All Things to All Readers”
- The New York Times, Sep 20
“The Wisdom of Crowds Takes On the Encyclopedia Britannica”
- Wired Magazine, Oct 15
“Internet Users Build Free Encyclopedia”
- BBC Online, Oct 3
“Open Source Meets Open Content: Wikipedia Launches”
- ZDNet, Sep 25
“Wikipedia expands beyond English with the launch of the…”
- First non-English Wikipedia, Mar 1
Day 351 · January 1, 2002
Rapid language expansion
Wikipedia reaches multiple language editions as volunteer communities form around the world.
“Wikipedia reaches multiple language editions as volunteer…”
- Rapid language expansion, Jan 1
Day 867 · June 1, 2003
Wikimedia Foundation established
Wikipedia is transferred to the newly created Wikimedia Foundation, a nonprofit organization dedicated to maintaining the project.
“Wikipedia is transferred to the newly created Wikimedia…”
- Wikimedia Foundation established, Jun 1
Day 1416 · December 1, 2004
One million articles milestone
English Wikipedia reaches one million articles, demonstrating the scale of volunteer contribution.
“English Wikipedia reaches one million articles,…”
- One million articles milestone, Dec 1
Day 1598 · June 1, 2005
Featured articles program established
Wikipedia implements quality control mechanisms to ensure reliability and accuracy of featured content.
“Wikipedia implements quality control mechanisms to ensure…”
- Featured articles program established, Jun 1
Front pages.
3 outlets carried the story: The New York Times, Wired Magazine, BBC Online.
Media coverage
What the world was reading.
4 pieces, ranked by how much they shaped the discourse.
The New York Times
Newspaper · United States · Sep 20, 2001
"A Site That Aims to Be All Things to All Readers"
Wikipedia, a new online encyclopedia written collaboratively by volunteers across the Internet, launched this week with ambitious goals to democratize knowledge. Jimmy Wales and Larry Sanger's project invites anyone to contribute entries on any subject.
- Oct 15, 2001
Wired Magazine
Magazine · United States
"The Wisdom of Crowds Takes On the Encyclopedia Britannica"
A radical experiment in collective knowledge is underway at Wikipedia.com, where thousands of Internet users are pooling their expertise to build a free, editable encyclopedia that could rival traditional references. Early adopters praise its speed and currency.
- Oct 3, 2001
BBC Online
Tech press · United Kingdom
"Internet Users Build Free Encyclopedia"
Synthesized from period reporting - An American website has launched a novel approach to creating an encyclopedia: letting anyone on the Internet contribute and edit articles. The project, called Wikipedia, relies on the assumption that collaborative knowledge creation will produce reliable results.
- Sep 25, 2001
ZDNet
Tech press · United States
"Open Source Meets Open Content: Wikipedia Launches"
Synthesized from period reporting - Drawing inspiration from the open-source software movement, Wikipedia applies the same collaborative philosophy to encyclopedic knowledge. The wiki-based platform removes barriers to entry and editorial gatekeeping.
Sources & citations.
Sources
Where this came from.
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Wikipedia
1 source- 1.Wikipedia
en.wikipedia.org