National Internet Day celebrates the technology that reshaped how we live, work, and connect. From its military research roots to today’s five-billion-plus users, the internet is one of humanity’s greatest achievements. National Internet Day is a reminder of how essential the web has become in our daily lives. This guide explores its origins, key milestones, some of the oldest websites still online, and practical ways to join the celebration—plus tips to strengthen your own online presence.
A Brief History of the Internet
The concept of a global communication system isn’t new. As early as the 1900s, visionaries like Nikola Tesla imagined worldwide wireless communication. In the 1960s, the U.S. Department of Defense funded ARPANET, the first operational packet-switching network and the direct ancestor of today’s internet. The 1970s brought TCP/IP, a crucial standard that still underpins modern networking. By 1990, Tim Berners-Lee introduced the World Wide Web and launched the first website, info.cern.ch, enabling public information sharing on a global scale. Reflecting on these early days makes National Internet Day the perfect time to appreciate how far the web has come.
Key Internet Milestones
CERN placed the web in the public domain in 1993, sparking explosive growth. By 1994, a Pizza Hut pepperoni order became one of the earliest documented e-commerce transactions. In 1995, only 21 percent of U.S. adults even knew what the internet was, according to Pew Research. The late 1990s saw widespread dial-up connections, followed by broadband expansion in the early 2000s. The introduction of smartphones and social media soon after permanently changed how people communicate, shop, and share information—another reason to celebrate National Internet Day.
Some of the Oldest Websites Still Online
Want to see what the early web looked like? These pioneers remain live decades later:
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CERN – 1991. The world’s first website, created by Tim Berners-Lee.
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Symbolics.com – 1985. The very first .com domain ever registered.
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The Internet Movie Database – 1990 as a Usenet list; official site launched 1993.
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World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) – 1994. Established to set web standards.
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Space Jam – 1996. Warner Bros. keeps this original promotional site online.
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Yahoo! – 1994. Originally “Jerry and David’s Guide to the World Wide Web.”
Exploring these classic domains is a fun way to mark National Internet Day and see the internet’s original look and feel.
The Internet Today
More than 5 billion people are now online, and the number keeps climbing. Global e-commerce sales surpassed $6 trillion in 2023 and continue to accelerate. Google reports that roughly 16–20 percent of daily searches have never been asked before. Streaming services, cloud computing, and mobile apps have made the internet essential to education, entertainment, and work. National Internet Day is a chance to reflect on the scale and impact of these changes.
How to Celebrate National Internet Day
- Share your favorite internet fact on social media using #NationalInternetDay and include the phrase National Internet Day in your post to join the global conversation.
- Explore the earliest websites with the Internet Archive.
- Host a virtual trivia night highlighting pivotal internet milestones.
- Audit your own website for performance or accessibility with our Website Accessibility Services.
- Improve your online visibility using our SEO Services or refresh your design with Web Design.
For larger projects, our Web Development team builds fast, secure, and scalable solutions.
Why It Matters
The internet drives global communication, education, and commerce. Without it, remote work, streaming entertainment, and near-instant information sharing wouldn’t exist. Celebrating National Internet Day reminds us how innovation transforms society and why we must protect open, secure access. Governments and organizations worldwide continue to debate privacy, cybersecurity, and net neutrality—issues that affect everyone who logs on.
Your own online presence deserves the same attention. Whether you need a site redesign, stronger search rankings, or improved accessibility, Saltech Systems can help. Learn more about our Digital Marketing offerings, schedule an SEO audit, or start a conversation with our WordPress Web Design experts. Every National Internet Day is a perfect reminder to ensure your business is ready for the future of the web.