A Year Ago: Happy birthday Internet

Jane Wakefield ZDNet.co.uk

Published: 20 Oct 2000 07:02 BST

Thirty today! Well, sort of

Although no-one knows the exact date it was invented, Wednesday has been set aside as the official birthday of the Internet by a group of enthusiasts.

They have allocated Wednesday Internet day and have created a Web site to celebrate the Net's 30th birthday. As well as a digital birthday card for people to sign, organisers are collating comments on what people make of the Internet so far.

Thirty years ago today (roughly) the first message was sent between two computers as professors at the universities of California and Stanford communicated over the Net for the first time. The network known as ARPAnet was designed initially for the American military and received its first public demonstration two years later in 1971.

To have your say online click on the TalkBack button and go to the ZDNet News forum.

Let the editors know what you think in the Mailroom. And read what others have said.