Can you imagine a world without the internet? No memes, no Netflix, no Google searches to find out why cats love boxes so much. Well, 34 years ago, we were living in a world where the internet didn’t even exist! It’s hard to believe, but on August 6, 1991, history was made with the launch of the first-ever website.

Tim Berners-Lee, a British scientist at CERN in Geneva, is the mastermind behind this digital revolution. He created the first webpage, “info.cern.ch”, which was a very simple page filled with text. Nothing flashy, no cool images or videos—just plain old words. But this little website opened the door to the internet as we know it today.

It wasn’t just a cool experiment. This page was the foundation of something much bigger: the modern internet. Thanks to Berners-Lee, we got the first taste of the World Wide Web. It was a system of interlinked documents that would change the way we connect, share, and communicate forever.

Back then, the internet wasn’t the all-consuming beast we know today. There were no viral TikToks, no instant messaging, no online shopping sprees at 2 a.m. It was basic. But it worked. People link to other pages, share information, and even email one another (which was a big deal!). And as we all know, once the internet started, it was impossible to stop.

Fast forward to today, and the internet is a huge part of our daily lives. We shop online, work remotely, share pictures of our food, and binge-watch entire seasons of TV shows. Social media keeps us connected, while online news keeps us informed. But it all started with one simple idea: sharing knowledge.

The web grew fast, and so did the ways we use it. The internet now powers nearly every aspect of our lives. We rely on search engines like Google. Social media platforms like Facebook and Instagram also play a key role. Additionally, streaming platforms and online stores are essential services. It’s hard to imagine a world where we can’t find out what’s happening in real-time. We can’t shop for anything with a click. We can’t meet new people across the globe. And it’s all thanks to that first step in 1991.

But as amazing as all of this is, Tim Berners-Lee’s original vision remains the core of the internet. He wanted the web to be an open, accessible space where everyone will share information freely. And that’s still what makes the internet so special. Even as it grows more complex. It becomes more commercialized. Yet, the idea that anyone can share anything with the world remains at the heart of it all.

So next time you’re scrolling through your feed, remember that it all started with a simple webpage in 1991. Or when you are googling the meaning of life, keep in mind its humble start. Maybe you’re just searching for the best pizza place in your city. Happy birthday, internet!