Julian Assange's Success and Achievements in Timeline

A success timeline featuring the most significant achievements of Julian Assange.

Julian Assange, an Australian editor, publisher, and activist, founded WikiLeaks in 2006. He gained international prominence in 2010 following WikiLeaks' publication of leaked materials from Chelsea Manning, including footage of a U.S. airstrike in Baghdad, war logs from Afghanistan and Iraq, and U.S. diplomatic cables. While lauded by some for his work in journalism and publishing, he has also faced legal challenges and controversy.

Sections (6)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition Challenges & Struggles Controversies & Scandals

1991: Acclaimed Hacker Status

By 1991, Julian Assange was described as "probably Australia's most accomplished hacker" by The Guardian, reflecting his reputation in the hacking community.

2008: Swiss Bank Publication Attempt

In 2008, WikiLeaks' international profile increased when a Swiss bank, Bank Julius Baer, attempted to prevent the site's publication of bank records via a Californian court injunction, leading to the "Streisand effect" and drawing global attention to WikiLeaks.

2008: Publication of Tibetan Unrest Footage

In 2008, WikiLeaks, under Assange's editorship, published footage of the Tibetan unrest, contributing to its growing profile.

2009: WikiLeaks' Successes and Unfulfilled Goals

By 2009, WikiLeaks had succeeded in exposing the powerful and publishing material beyond state control, while also gaining media support for advocating freedom of speech, but fell short in crowd-sourcing analysis of documents.

2009: Amnesty International New Media Award

In 2009, Julian Assange won the Amnesty International New Media Award for a collaboration with the Sunday Times on a report about political killings in Kenya, which also led to increased public recognition of WikiLeaks.

February 2010: Publication of Leaks from Manning

In February 2010, WikiLeaks began publishing leaks provided by Chelsea Manning, significantly escalating its impact and Assange's international profile.

2010: International Attention

In 2010, Julian Assange gained international attention after WikiLeaks published a series of leaks from Chelsea Manning, including footage of a U.S. airstrike in Baghdad, military logs from the Afghanistan and Iraq wars, and U.S. diplomatic cables.

August 2012: Ecuador grants Assange political asylum

On 16 August 2012, Ecuador granted Assange political asylum due to the threat represented by the United States secret investigation against him. Ecuador stated that his life, safety, or personal integrity may be in danger.

2019: Catalan Dignity Commission Awards Assange Dignity Prize

In 2019, the Catalan Dignity Commission awarded Assange its 2019 Dignity Prize to recognize his efforts to correct misreporting of events and provide live video updates during the Catalan protests in January 2020.

January 2020: Catalan Dignity Commission Awards Assange Dignity Prize

In January 2020, the Catalan Dignity Commission awarded Assange its 2019 Dignity Prize to recognize his efforts to correct misreporting of events and provide live video updates during the Catalan protests.

January 2021: Judge rules Assange cannot be extradited

On January 4, 2021, Judge Baraitser ruled that Julian Assange could not be extradited to the United States, citing concerns about his mental health and the risk of suicide in a US prison.

March 2022: Marriage in Belmarsh Prison

On March 23, 2022, Assange and Stella Assange married in Belmarsh Prison.

April 2023: Assange granted honorary membership by European unions

In April 2023, European unions and associations of journalists from Portugal, Armenia, Great Britain and Greece granted Julian Assange honorary membership, calling for his release and to drop the charges.

2024: Plea Deal and Return to Australia

In 2024, Julian Assange negotiated a plea deal with US prosecutors, pleading guilty to an Espionage Act charge in exchange for a sentence of time served, which allowed him to return to Australia.