January 15

Wikipedia Day

Join us in celebrating Wikipedia Day and the amazing community of contributors who make it possible to access knowledge at our fingertips!

Yearly Date

January 15

Observed

Internationally

Introduction

Get ready to celebrate the online encyclopedia that has changed the way we access information – it's Wikipedia Day on January 15! Founded in 2001, this free and collaborative platform has become a go-to source for everything from historical facts to pop culture trivia. With over 50 million articles in 300 different languages, it's no wonder that Wikipedia has become a household name. So on this special day, let's appreciate the incredible work of volunteers who have contributed to building this vast and valuable resource for all of us.

Wikipedia Day Timeline

2001

Wikipedia Founded

Wikipedia was launched by Jimmy Wales and Larry Sanger on January 15, 2001 as a free and collaborative online encyclopedia.

2001

First Wikipedia Edit

Larry Sanger makes the first edit on Wikipedia. The page was "Hello, world!"

2003

Wikimedia Foundation Establishment

The Wikimedia Foundation, which runs Wikipedia, was established in June 2003 to ensure the project's independence and growth.

2006

Over One Million English Articles

Wikipedia’s English version reached its one millionth article in March 2006, showcasing incredible growth in only five years.

2010

First Wikipedia Day

Wikipedians around the world started celebrating the 15th of January as Wikipedia Day, marking its growing global impact.

2021

Over 55 Million Articles

Wikipedia now holds over 55 million articles in over 300 languages, making it the world's largest online encyclopedia.

How to Celebrate Wikipedia Day

1 Edit a Wikipedia page

Celebrate Wikipedia Day by joining in on the editing fun! Choose a topic you are passionate about and make some contributions to a Wikipedia page to help improve its accuracy and completeness.

2 Host a Wikipedia-themed trivia night

Gather some friends and test your knowledge of Wikipedia with a trivia night! Create questions related to the history, content, and contributors of Wikipedia for a fun and informative celebration.

3 Donate to the Wikimedia Foundation

Show your appreciation for Wikipedia by donating to the Wikimedia Foundation, the non-profit organization that operates Wikipedia. Every little bit helps keep this valuable resource free and accessible to all.

4 Create a Wikipedia-themed scavenger hunt

Get creative and design a scavenger hunt that incorporates Wikipedia! Use clues related to Wikipedia pages and have participants race to find the answers for a fun and challenging celebration.

5 Share your favorite Wikipedia pages on social media

Spread the love for Wikipedia by sharing your favorite pages on social media! Use the hashtag #WikipediaDay to join in on the celebration and help educate others about this incredible online encyclopedia.

Why We Love Wikipedia Day

It's a free source of information

Without Wikipedia, many people may not have access to reliable and unbiased information on a wide range of topics. It's an amazing resource for students, researchers, and anyone looking to expand their knowledge on any subject imaginable.

It's constantly evolving and improving

Wikipedia is updated and edited by volunteers from all over the world. This means that it is constantly evolving and improving, with new information being added every day. It's a collaborative effort that continues to grow and provide valuable knowledge to its users.

It promotes the sharing of knowledge

Wikipedia encourages people to share their expertise and contribute to the vast collection of knowledge available on the platform. It fosters a sense of community and collaboration, making it more than just a website - it's a movement towards promoting open access to information for everyone.