Facebook launched on February 4, 2004 , when Mark Zuckerberg and his Harvard roommates Eduardo Saverin, Dustin Moskovitz, Andrew McCollum, and Chris Hughes introduced "TheFacebook.com" from their dorm room.

This marked the start of a platform that would redefine social networking, evolving from a college directory into a global giant now known as Meta.

Origins Story

It all began in late 2003 with Facemash , a cheeky (and short-lived) Harvard site where students rated peers' photos—shut down after just days for policy violations but drawing thousands of votes. Inspired, Zuckerberg registered thefacebook.com in January 2004 and launched the real deal on February 4, initially exclusive to Harvard students for sharing profiles, photos, schedules, and clubs.

By summer 2004, it expanded to other Ivy League schools like Yale and Stanford, hitting 250,000+ users across 34 colleges, with early ads from brands like MasterCard.

Key Early Milestones

  • June 2004 : Secured first $500K investment from Peter Thiel, fueling growth.
  • Summer 2004 : Incorporated as Facebook, Inc.; Sean Parker (Napster co-founder) joined as president.
  • September 2004 : Faced first lawsuit from ConnectU over idea origins.

These steps turned a dorm project into a venture-backed phenomenon.

From Niche to Global

What started as a "facebook"-style directory exploded because it tapped into human connection—friends, photos, events—in a pre-smartphone era. By late 2004, non-college users clamored for access, setting the stage for public opening in 2006. Multiple viewpoints highlight its roots: some credit Zuckerberg's solo genius, others the team's collaboration, amid ongoing debates over inspirations like Harvard house directories.

Fun temporal note : Over two decades later in 2026, that Feb 4 launch feels like ancient internet history, yet Facebook (Meta) boasts billions of users amid privacy pivots and AI pushes.

Trending Context Today

Searches for "when did Facebook start" spike around anniversaries (like its 20th in 2024) or Meta news, with forums buzzing over evolutions like Reels vs. TikTok or Zuckerberg's apologies. No major 2026 drama tied to origins, but it's a staple trivia for tech timelines.

TL;DR : February 4, 2004—simple dorm launch, massive legacy.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.