Twitter (Now X) Celebrates 19th Anniversary: A Look Back at Its Evolution

This month marks a significant milestone for the social media powerhouse Twitter, now rebranded as X, as it celebrates its 19th birthday. Originally founded on March 21, 2006, by Jack Dorsey, Noah Glass, Biz Stone, and Evan Williams, the platform officially went live in July of that year.

Fast Rise to Prominence

From its inception, Twitter distinguished itself as a leading source of news and entertainment, quickly becoming integral to online communication. By 2012, the platform had attracted over 100 million users, generating an astonishing 340 million tweets each day. However, its growth has not been without controversy; a 2020 study revealed that nearly 15%—equivalent to around 48 million accounts—were operated by bot software rather than real individuals.

Ownership Changes and Recent Developments

Currently, X Corp, launched in March 2023, owns the platform following its acquisition by billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk in October 2022. On its 19th anniversary, numerous users took to X to express their sentiments about the platform’s journey. While many shared affection for its impactful moments, others criticized Musk’s influence, with one user lamenting:

“And then Elon came along and ruined IT,”they wrote on X.

User Reflections and Memorable Moments

As netizens reflected on their favorite experiences, they highlighted various iconic events that unfolded on the platform:

“19 years! Wow, time flies. My favorite moment? Definitely when #BlackTwitter broke the internet during major events – it’s like a whole vibe!”commented a user.

“Happy 19 years to twitter/x; my favorite moment is getting noticed by Mariah Carey,”wrote another.

“19 years of Twitter means 19 years of iconic moments, but nothing beats the time a celebrity accidentally tweeted their password,”quipped a netizen.

“Happy 19th anniversary, X—here’s to transforming the global conversation, one tweet at a time!”announced a user.

Additional Insights from Users

Other notable reactions on the platform included:

“This is a wonderful platform. I appreciate Elon Musk. I’m thankful,”raved.

“Turning 19 is a wild milestone—hard to believe it’s been that long since it started stirring the pot. My favorite moment? Probably when the blue-check chaos hit peak insanity during the 2022 verification overhaul,”recalled a user.

“X remains the wildest town square on the internet. From breaking news to viral chaos, it captures culture in real-time. Love it or hate it, no other feed reflects the world so authentically,”inferred another.

Linda Yaccarino’s Leadership

Linda Yaccarino currently serves as the CEO of X, having taken over from Elon Musk on June 5, 2023. Musk remains actively involved as the chairman and Chief Technology Officer.

Historical Significance of Twitter’s Blue Bird Logo

On March 22, shortly after its anniversary, Twitter’s renowned blue bird logo, a symbol of the platform’s legacy, was removed from its San Francisco headquarters and auctioned off for nearly $35,000. This sale follows Musk’s rebranding of the platform to X.

The logo, weighing 254 kg and measuring 12 feet by 9 feet, was purchased for $34,375, according to RR Auction. Collectors have shown a keen interest in tech memorabilia; for context, vintage tech items like the first-generation sealed iPhone have fetched prices exceeding $87,000 in auctions.

Future of X at a $44 Billion Valuation

In a recent report by Bloomberg noted by Mint, X is currently exploring fundraising opportunities from investors, with the company’s stated valuation at $44 billion—matching the price Musk paid to acquire Twitter in 2022.

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