Google's 25th Birthday: Celebrating 25 Years of Internet Evolution

Google, the search engine titan, commemorates its 25th birthday with a captivating Doodle.

In this special artwork, the letters 'oo' in "Google" gracefully transform into '25,' signifying a quarter-century of Google's profound impact on the internet.

On September 27, 1998, Sergey Brin and Larry Page, two visionary doctoral students at Stanford University, ignited a revolution by launching Google.

Over the ensuing 25 years, Google has revolutionized how we navigate the World Wide Web, leaving an indelible mark on our digital lives.

Notably, in May 2011, Google achieved a historic milestone when its monthly unique visitors surpassed one billion, cementing its status as an internet behemoth.

As part of the celebration, Google has also shared 25 fascinating facts about its journey. Some highlights include:

• The creation of over 5,000 Google Doodles.

• The 30-second window to unsend an email in Gmail.

• Google Translate's support for 133 languages.

• A staggering 1.7 billion photos are edited monthly using Google Photos.

While Google takes this moment to reflect on its illustrious history, it remains unwavering in its commitment to shaping the future.

The Birth of Google 25 Years Ago

The Google saga began when Sergey Brin and Larry Page, both doctoral students at Stanford University, crossed paths in the late 1990s. Their shared vision centered on enhancing the accessibility of the World Wide Web.

The duo tirelessly worked from their dorm rooms, crafting a prototype for an innovative search engine. As their project gained momentum, they moved their operation to Google's inaugural headquarters—a rented garage. On September 27, 1998, Google Inc. officially came into existence.

Since that pivotal day in 1998, Google's journey has seen remarkable changes, as illustrated in today's Doodle.

Yet, its mission has remained steadfast: to organize the world's information and make it universally accessible and useful.

Today, billions of people worldwide rely on Google for search, connection, work, play, and much more. This special Doodle will be visible globally, except in select regions, including Russia.

In its most recent Doodle, released on September 25, Google celebrated the legacy of South African jazz pianist, composer, and journalist Todd Matshikiza.

This artistic tribute, created by South Africa-based guest artist Keith Vlahakis, commemorated Matshikiza's commissioned cantata "Uxolo" (peace).

The cantata was performed by an orchestra at the 70th Johannesburg Festival on September 25, 1956.

Todd Matshikiza's contributions extended beyond music. He composed the iconic song "Quickly in Love," featured in the 2013 film "Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom."

Additionally, Matshikiza co-composed the score for two notable theatrical productions: "King Kong" and "Mkhumbane." "King Kong," an all-Black jazz musical that premiered in 1958, achieved international acclaim, even making its way to London. "Mkhumbane" (1960), featuring compositions by Matshikiza and Alan Paton, garnered equal renown.