The Story of Facebook: When, Why, and Who Created It.

When Was Facebook Created?

Facebook was officially launched on February 4, 2004. The platform began as a website exclusively for students of Harvard University in the United States. In just a few days, thousands of Harvard students signed up, and within months, it expanded to other Ivy League universities and eventually to colleges and high schools across America. By the end of 2004, Facebook already had over one million active users.

The name "Facebook" comes from the nickname given to printed or online directories of students, which many American universities used to help students get to know each other. These directories included photos and basic information about students — essentially a "face book."

Why Was Facebook Created?

The idea behind Facebook was simple yet powerful: to help people connect and communicate more easily. Mark Zuckerberg, the main creator of Facebook, was a second-year computer science student at Harvard when he came up with the concept.

At the time, there was no easy way for students to find out about each other online. Harvard had its own online directory, but it was incomplete and not interactive. Zuckerberg wanted to build something better — a website where students could create profiles, upload their photos, and share information about themselves.

The goal was to create a more connected and open community within the university. It wasn’t about making money or becoming famous at first. It was simply about solving a problem: making social interaction and networking easier in the digital age.

Zuckerberg himself has said that he was fascinated by human relationships and how technology could bring people closer. Facebook was designed to make it simple and fun for people to keep in touch, meet new friends, and share their lives.

Who Created Facebook?

Facebook was created by Mark Zuckerberg along with a group of his Harvard classmates. While Mark was the key figure behind the idea and the coding of the website, he didn’t work alone. The original team included:

Mark Zuckerberg: The main founder and programmer.

Eduardo Saverin: Co-founder and business manager, who helped fund the project in the early days.

Andrew McCollum: Co-founder who worked on the site’s graphics and design.

Dustin Moskovitz: Co-founder who helped with programming and expansion.

Chris Hughes: Co-founder who helped with promotion and strategy.

This small group of friends started working on the project in late 2003, and within just a few weeks, they launched the first version of Facebook for Harvard students.

How Facebook Changed the World

Facebook quickly became more than just a college website. By 2006, it opened to anyone over the age of 13 with an email address. Millions of people joined, and it grew into a global platform.

Facebook introduced features like the News Feed, Messenger, Groups, and Pages, which became key parts of how people interact online. Businesses, celebrities, and communities began using Facebook to reach audiences around the world.

Today, Facebook has over 3 billion monthly active users, making it the largest social media network in the world. It is available in more than 100 languages and has become a vital part of how people communicate, share news, and even organize movements for social change.

Conclusion

Facebook was created on February 4, 2004, by Mark Zuckerberg and his Harvard classmates. It was born out of a simple idea — to help people connect and communicate more easily. From a college dorm room project, it grew into a global phenomenon that transformed how we interact and share our lives.

What started as a way for students to learn about each other has become a platform that connects billions of people, changing the way we see the world and each other forever.