History of Mark Zuckerberg in Timeline
Mark Elliot Zuckerberg is an American entrepreneur best known for co-founding Facebook and its parent company Meta Platforms in 2004. He currently serves as the chairman, CEO, and controlling shareholder of Meta. Zuckerberg's impact on social media and technology has made him one of the most recognizable and influential figures in the world.
1934: Communications Act of 1934
The Communications Act of 1934, particularly Section 230, became relevant in discussions regarding legal immunity for tech platforms.
May 14, 1984: Mark Zuckerberg is Born
On May 14, 1984, Mark Elliot Zuckerberg was born. He would go on to become an American businessman, co-founding the social media service Facebook.
1984: Publication of "Hackers: Heroes of the Computer Revolution"
In 1984, Steven Levy wrote the book "Hackers: Heroes of the Computer Revolution", which would later become relevant to understanding Mark Zuckerberg's approach to innovation.
2002: Zuckerberg Begins Harvard
By the time Mark Zuckerberg began classes at Harvard in 2002, he had already achieved a reputation as a programming prodigy. He studied psychology and computer science, resided in Kirkland House, and belonged to Alpha Epsilon Pi.
2002: Zuckerberg Graduates from Phillips Exeter Academy
Mark Zuckerberg graduated from Phillips Exeter Academy in 2002. The prep school published its own student directory, "The Photo Address Book", which students referred to as "The Facebook", which may have been an inspiration for Zuckerberg's later project.
2002: Zuckerberg Registers to Vote
Mark Zuckerberg registered to vote in Westchester County, New York in 2002.
April 28, 2003: Alleged Contract with Paul Ceglia
Paul Ceglia claimed to have signed a contract with Mark Zuckerberg on April 28, 2003, granting him ownership in Facebook. This claim was later disputed.
2003: Zuckerberg Starts Dating Priscilla Chan
Mark Zuckerberg began dating Priscilla Chan in 2003 after meeting her at a frat party during his sophomore year at Harvard University.
January 1, 2004: Thefacebook.com Domain Registration
Mark Zuckerberg registered the domain name thefacebook.com on January 1, 2004, a date relevant to the Paul Ceglia lawsuit.
January 2004: Zuckerberg Begins Writing Code for "Thefacebook"
In January 2004, Mark Zuckerberg began writing code for a new website that would later be known as Facebook.
February 4, 2004: Thefacebook Launches
On February 4, 2004, Mark Zuckerberg launched "Thefacebook", originally located at thefacebook.com, in partnership with his roommates Eduardo Saverin, Andrew McCollum, Dustin Moskovitz, and Chris Hughes.
February 2004: Launches Facebook at Harvard
In February 2004, Mark Zuckerberg launched Facebook at Harvard University with his roommates Eduardo Saverin, Andrew McCollum, Dustin Moskovitz and Chris Hughes.
2004: Zuckerberg Drops Out of Harvard and Moves to California
Mark Zuckerberg dropped out of Harvard in his sophomore year to focus on Facebook. He moved to Palo Alto, California, with Dustin Moskovitz and other co-founders, where they set up their first office. They turned down offers by major corporations to buy the company.
2004: Co-founds Facebook
In 2004, Mark Zuckerberg co-founded the social media service Facebook with his Harvard roommates.
2005: Lawsuit by Co-founder Eduardo Saverin
In 2005, Facebook co-founder Eduardo Saverin filed a lawsuit against Mark Zuckerberg and Facebook, alleging misuse of funds. The lawsuit was settled out of court, and Saverin was acknowledged as a co-founder.
November 2007: Confidential Court Documents Leaked
In November 2007, confidential court documents containing Zuckerberg's personal information, including his Social Security number, were leaked on the website of 02138, a Harvard alumni magazine.
2007: Zuckerberg Explains Facebook's Mission
In 2007, Mark Zuckerberg explained his reasoning for declining offers to buy Facebook, saying: "It's not because of the amount of money. For me and my colleagues, the most important thing is that we create an open information flow for people. Having media corporations owned by conglomerates is just not an attractive idea to me."
2007: Zuckerberg Makes MIT Technology Review's TR35 List
In 2007, Mark Zuckerberg was added to MIT Technology Review's TR35 list as one of the top 35 innovators in the world under the age of 35.
November 2008: Zuckerberg Casts His First Ballot
Mark Zuckerberg first voted in November 2008, although he registered to vote in 2002.
2008: Becomes World's Youngest Self-Made Billionaire
In 2008, at age 23, Mark Zuckerberg became the world's youngest self-made billionaire.
2008: Zuckerberg Named One of Time's Most Influential People
In 2008, Time magazine recognized Mark Zuckerberg as one of the most influential people in the world.
April 2009: Zuckerberg Seeks Financial Advice
In April 2009, Mark Zuckerberg sought advice from former Netscape CFO Peter Currie regarding financing strategies for Facebook.
2009: Zuckerberg Ranked on Vanity Fair 100 List
In 2009, Mark Zuckerberg ranked number 23 on the Vanity Fair 100 list of influential people.
May 19, 2010: Facebook Blocked in Pakistan
On May 19, 2010, Facebook was temporarily blocked in Pakistan due to a controversial "Draw Muhammad" contest hosted on the platform.
June 2010: Criminal Investigation Launched in Pakistan
In June 2010, Pakistan launched a criminal investigation into Mark Zuckerberg and other Facebook co-founders over the "Draw Muhammad" contest, alleging blasphemy.
June 2010: Paul Ceglia Lawsuit
In June 2010, Paul Ceglia filed a lawsuit against Mark Zuckerberg, claiming ownership of Facebook based on the alleged 2003 contract.
July 21, 2010: Facebook Reaches 500 Million Users
On July 21, 2010, Mark Zuckerberg reported that Facebook had reached the 500-million-user mark.
September 2010: Chan Moves in with Zuckerberg
In September 2010, Priscilla Chan moved into Mark Zuckerberg's rented house in Palo Alto, California. At the time, Chan was a medical student at the University of California, San Francisco.
September 2010: Zuckerberg Pledges $100 Million to Newark Public Schools
In September 2010, Mark Zuckerberg pledged $100 million to Newark Public Schools with the support of Governor Chris Christie.
September 2010: Zuckerberg Donates $100 Million to Newark Public Schools
In September 2010, Mark Zuckerberg donated $100 million to Newark Public Schools. The timing, close to the release of "The Social Network," led to criticism, with some suggesting it was an attempt to improve his public image. Zuckerberg denied this, stating he didn't want the donation and the movie's press to be conflated.
October 1, 2010: The Social Network Movie Release
On October 1, 2010, the movie "The Social Network," based on Mark Zuckerberg and the founding of Facebook, was released. The film starred Jesse Eisenberg as Zuckerberg.
October 3, 2010: Zuckerberg Voices Himself on The Simpsons
On October 3, 2010, Mark Zuckerberg voiced himself on an episode of "The Simpsons" titled "Loan-a Lisa." In the episode, Zuckerberg tells Lisa Simpson that she doesn't need to graduate from college to be successful.
October 9, 2010: Saturday Night Live Parodies Zuckerberg and Facebook
On October 9, 2010, Saturday Night Live lampooned Zuckerberg and Facebook with Andy Samberg portraying Zuckerberg. Zuckerberg was reportedly amused by the parody.
October 30, 2010: Zuckerberg Receives "Medal of Fear" from Stephen Colbert
On October 30, 2010, Stephen Colbert awarded a "Medal of Fear" to Mark Zuckerberg at the Rally to Restore Sanity and/or Fear, citing Zuckerberg's prioritization of his own privacy over that of others.
2010: The Social Network Film Release
The Social Network, a film depicting Mark Zuckerberg's early career, legal troubles, and initial success with Facebook, was released in 2010 and won multiple Academy Awards.
2010: Zuckerberg's "Hacker" Mentality
In 2010, author Steven Levy described Mark Zuckerberg as having a "hacker" mentality. Zuckerberg believed in "breaking things" to make them better and instituted "hackathons" at Facebook.
2010: Zuckerberg Named One of the Most Influential People
In 2010, Vanity Fair magazine named Zuckerberg number 1 on its list of the Top 100 "most influential people of the Information Age". He was also chosen as number 16 in New Statesman's annual survey of the world's 50 most influential figures.
2010: Zuckerberg Named Time Person of the Year
In 2010, Time magazine named Mark Zuckerberg as their Person of the Year. This coincided with Facebook surpassing half a billion users.
2010: Zuckerberg Signs The Giving Pledge
In 2010, Mark Zuckerberg, Bill Gates, and Warren Buffett signed The Giving Pledge, committing to donate at least half their wealth to charity over time.
January 2011: Zuckerberg Appears on Saturday Night Live
In January 2011, Mark Zuckerberg made a surprise guest appearance on Saturday Night Live, hosted by Jesse Eisenberg, who portrayed him in "The Social Network." This marked the first time they met, and Zuckerberg's response to the movie was "It was interesting."
January 16, 2011: The Social Network Wins Golden Globe for Best Picture
On January 16, 2011, "The Social Network" won the Golden Globe Award for Best Picture. Producer Scott Rudin thanked Facebook and Zuckerberg for their cooperation, while screenwriter Aaron Sorkin retracted some of the impressions given in his script.
2011: Zuckerberg Receives Advice from Steve Jobs
In 2011, shortly after the death of Steve Jobs, Mark Zuckerberg said that Jobs had advised him on how to create a strong management team at Facebook.
2011: Zuckerberg Named One of Time's Most Influential People
In 2011, Time magazine once again recognized Mark Zuckerberg as one of the most influential people in the world.
2011: The Facebook Effect: The Inside Story of the Company that is Connecting the World Publication
In 2011, David Kirkpatrick, former technology editor at Fortune magazine, published "The Facebook Effect: The Inside Story of the Company that is Connecting the World." The book claimed that "The Social Network" was only "40% true" and that while many factual incidents were accurate, the overall impression was false.
2011: Facebook First Participates in San Francisco Pride Celebration
Facebook first participated in the San Francisco Pride Celebration in 2011.
May 2012: Facebook Goes Public
Mark Zuckerberg took Facebook public in May 2012 with majority shares.
May 19, 2012: Zuckerberg Marries Priscilla Chan
On May 19, 2012, Mark Zuckerberg married his long-time girlfriend, Priscilla Chan, at his Palo Alto mansion. The event coincided with Chan's graduation from medical school.
October 26, 2012: Paul Ceglia Arrest
On October 26, 2012, Paul Ceglia was arrested on charges of fraud and fabricating evidence related to his lawsuit against Mark Zuckerberg.
December 2012: Zuckerberg and Chan Pledge Majority of Wealth to Philanthropy
In December 2012, Mark Zuckerberg and his wife Priscilla Chan pledged to donate the majority of their wealth to "advancing human potential and promoting equality," in line with The Giving Pledge.
December 2012: Zuckerberg Donates to Silicon Valley Community Foundation
In December 2012, Mark Zuckerberg donated 18 million shares to the Silicon Valley Community Foundation, which supports education among its grant-making areas.
2012: Zuckerberg Votes in General Election
Mark Zuckerberg voted in the 2012 general election.
February 2013: Zuckerberg Hosts Fundraiser for Chris Christie
In February 2013, Mark Zuckerberg hosted his first-ever fundraising event, supporting then New Jersey Governor Chris Christie. Zuckerberg's interest was primarily in education reform.
April 11, 2013: Zuckerberg Launches FWD.us Lobbying Group
On April 11, 2013, Mark Zuckerberg spearheaded the launch of FWD.us, a 501(c)(4) lobbying group focused on issues like immigration reform, education, and technological advancement.
June 2013: Zuckerberg Participates in San Francisco Pride Celebration
In June 2013, Mark Zuckerberg joined Facebook employees in the San Francisco Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Pride Celebration, a significant event following the Supreme Court's ruling on DOMA.
June 20, 2013: Zuckerberg Engages with Facebook Users Regarding FWD.us
On June 20, 2013, it was reported that Mark Zuckerberg directly interacted with Facebook users on his profile page, responding to comments about a FWD.us video.
September 2013: Zuckerberg Criticizes U.S. Government's Handling of PRISM Scandal
In September 2013, Mark Zuckerberg criticized the U.S. government's actions regarding the PRISM scandal, stating they "blew it" on protecting citizens' freedoms and the economy.
December 2013: Zuckerberg Makes Largest Charitable Gift on Public Record
In December 2013, Mark Zuckerberg donated 18 million Facebook shares to the Silicon Valley Community Foundation, valued at $990 million at the time. This was recognized as the largest charitable gift on public record for that year.
2013: Zuckerberg Featured in Documentary and South Park Episode
In 2013, Mark Zuckerberg appeared in the documentary film "Terms and Conditions May Apply." He was also mocked in the South Park episode "Franchise Prequel," depicted as a controlling figure with questionable motives.
October 2014: Zuckerberg and Chan Donate to Fight Ebola Epidemic
In October 2014, Mark Zuckerberg and Priscilla Chan donated $25 million to combat the Ebola virus disease, specifically the West African Ebola virus epidemic.
2014: Land Purchase in Hawaii
Mark Zuckerberg purchased 700 acres of land in Kaua'i, Hawaii, in 2014.
February 2015: Zuckerberg and Chan Make Largest Donation to a U.S. Public Hospital
In February 2015, Mark Zuckerberg and Priscilla Chan endowed the foundation of the San Francisco General Hospital with $75 million, marking the biggest individual donation to a U.S. public hospital.
July 31, 2015: Zuckerberg and Chan Expecting First Child
On July 31, 2015, Mark Zuckerberg announced that he and his wife, Priscilla Chan, were expecting their first child, a baby girl. He also shared that Chan had previously experienced three miscarriages.
November 2015: Paris and San Bernardino Attacks Prompt Zuckerberg's Statement
In November 2015, the Paris attacks and the San Bernardino attack occurred, which later prompted Mark Zuckerberg to issue a statement of support for Muslims on December 9, 2015.
December 1, 2015: Zuckerberg and Chan Pledge Majority of Facebook Shares to Charity
On December 1, 2015, Mark Zuckerberg and Priscilla Chan pledged to transfer 99% of their Facebook shares to the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative (CZI).
December 9, 2015: Zuckerberg Shows Support for Muslims on Facebook
On December 9, 2015, Mark Zuckerberg posted a statement on his Facebook wall expressing support for Muslims in response to the aftermath of the November 2015 Paris attacks and the 2015 San Bernardino attack.
2015: Charleston Church Shooting
In 2015, a tragic shooting occurred at Mother Emanuel AME Church in Charleston, South Carolina. This event later became a point of reflection for Mark Zuckerberg during his nationwide tour in 2017, when he visited the church and engaged with the community.
February 24, 2016: Zuckerberg Rebukes Employees for Erasing 'Black Lives Matter'
On February 24, 2016, Mark Zuckerberg sent out a company-wide memo condemning the practice of employees crossing out 'Black Lives Matter' on company walls and replacing it with 'All Lives Matter'. He deemed this behavior disrespectful and malicious.
December 2016: Zuckerberg Ranked Tenth on Forbes' Most Powerful People List
In December 2016, Mark Zuckerberg secured the tenth position on Forbes' list of the World's Most Powerful People.
2016: Zuckerberg Re-embraces Religion
In 2016, Mark Zuckerberg, who had previously identified as an atheist, stated that he now believes religion is very important. This marked a shift in his perspective after a period of questioning his beliefs.
2016: Chan Zuckerberg Initiative Funds Biohub Research Center
In 2016, the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative (CZI) provided $600 million to establish the Chan Zuckerberg Biohub, a collaborative research space in San Francisco.
January 2017: Zuckerberg Criticizes Trump's Immigration Policies
In January 2017, Mark Zuckerberg publicly criticized President Donald Trump's executive order that imposed strict limitations on immigrants and refugees from certain countries.
January 2017: Land Disputes in Hawaii
In January 2017, Zuckerberg faced controversy over lawsuits related to land ownership within his property in Hawaii, which he later dropped.
August 2017: Zuckerberg and Chan Welcome Second Daughter
In August 2017, Mark Zuckerberg and Priscilla Chan welcomed their second daughter, August.
2017: Zuckerberg Embarks on Nationwide Tour to Connect with Facebook Users
In 2017, Mark Zuckerberg and his wife initiated a nationwide tour to visit all 50 states in the United States. Their goal was to gain a deeper understanding of the diverse user base of Facebook, which at the time had nearly two billion regular users.
2018: Senate Testimony on Data Usage
In 2018, Mark Zuckerberg testified before the US Senate regarding Facebook's data usage practices in relation to the Cambridge Analytica scandal.
2019: Zuckerberg Named One of Time's Most Influential People
In 2019, Time magazine recognized Mark Zuckerberg as one of the most influential people in the world.
October 1, 2020: Senate Subpoena for Tech CEOs
On October 1, 2020, the US Senate issued subpoenas to Mark Zuckerberg and other tech CEOs for testimony related to Section 230 of the Communications Act of 1934.
2020: Zuckerberg Supports California Tax Reform Initiative
In 2020, Mark Zuckerberg provided funding for a state-level ballot initiative aimed at reforming California's Proposition 13. This initiative sought to increase taxes by requiring commercial and industrial properties to be assessed at market rate.
2020: San Francisco Board of Supervisors Condemns Hospital Renaming
In 2020, the San Francisco Board of Supervisors passed a measure condemning the renaming of the San Francisco General Hospital after Zuckerberg and Chan, citing concerns about Facebook's impact on public health and privacy.
January 6, 2021: US Capitol Building Attack
Facebook's role in the January 6, 2021, attack on the US Capitol Building was scrutinized during congressional hearings.
March 25, 2021: House Testimony on Misinformation and Hate Speech
On March 25, 2021, Mark Zuckerberg testified before the House Energy and Commerce Committee about Facebook's role in addressing misinformation and hate speech.
August 2022: Zuckerberg Expresses Regrets on The Joe Rogan Experience
During an appearance on The Joe Rogan Experience in August 2022, Mark Zuckerberg shared his regret about focusing on fencing over wrestling during his high school years. This statement drew criticism, as it was juxtaposed against more significant issues, such as Facebook's role in the Rohingya genocide in Myanmar.
2022: Zuckerberg Embraces MMA and BJJ Training
In 2022, Mark Zuckerberg began training in mixed martial arts (MMA) and Brazilian jiu-jitsu (BJJ), demonstrating his growing passion for these combat sports.
March 24, 2023: Zuckerberg and Chan Welcome Their Third Daughter
Mark Zuckerberg and Priscilla Chan welcomed their third daughter, Aurelia, on March 24, 2023. They shared the news on their social media pages.
May 6, 2023: Zuckerberg Wins Medals in BJJ Tournament
On May 6, 2023, Mark Zuckerberg competed in a Brazilian jiu-jitsu (BJJ) tournament and secured both a silver and gold medal in the gi and no gi categories, respectively, competing at the white belt level.
July 2023: Zuckerberg Promoted to Blue Belt in BJJ
In July 2023, Mark Zuckerberg achieved a significant milestone in his Brazilian jiu-jitsu journey by being promoted to the blue belt rank by Dave Camarillo.
2023: Zuckerberg Ranked Eighth on Forbes 400 List
In 2023, Mark Zuckerberg was ranked eighth on the Forbes 400 list of the wealthiest Americans, with a personal wealth of $106 billion.
January 2024: Senate Testimony on Child Safety
In January 2024, Mark Zuckerberg participated in a Senate hearing focused on child safety and social media platforms, apologizing for online harm to children.
May 2024: Zuckerberg's Net Worth Estimated at $166 Billion
As of May 2024, Forbes estimated Mark Zuckerberg's net worth to be $166 billion, positioning him as the fourth wealthiest individual globally.