Lasting Legacy of Mark Zuckerberg: A Look at the Influence on History

A detailed timeline of the impact and legacy of Mark Zuckerberg across different fields.

Mark Zuckerberg is an American businessman best known as the co-founder, chairman, CEO, and controlling shareholder of Meta Platforms (formerly Facebook). He launched Facebook, a prominent social media service, and has since overseen its growth and evolution. Zuckerberg's career has been marked by both significant success and controversies, including lawsuits related to the platform's creation and concerns surrounding user privacy. He remains a central figure in the tech industry and a subject of public and critical attention.

Sections (7)

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

1984: Hackers Book

In 1984 Steven Levy wrote the book 'Hackers: Heroes of the Computer Revolution'.

Hackers: Heroes of the Computer Revolution - 25th Anniversary Edition

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2007: Remarks at Startup School

In 2007, Zuckerberg made a controversial assertion at Y Combinator's Startup School course at Stanford University that "young people are just smarter" and that other entrepreneurs should bias towards hiring young people.

2008: Zuckerberg named one of Time's most influential people

Time named Zuckerberg one of the most influential people in the world in 2008.

September 2010: $100 million donation to Newark Public Schools

In September 2010, Zuckerberg donated $100 million to Newark Public Schools, which led to criticism due to the timing of the release of "The Social Network".

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2010: Identifies as Hacker

In 2010, Steven Levy wrote that Zuckerberg "clearly thinks of himself as a hacker". Zuckerberg said that "it's OK to break things" "to make them better".

2010: The Social Network Released

In 2010, The Social Network, a film depicting Zuckerberg's early career, legal troubles, and success with Facebook, was released and won multiple Academy Awards.

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2010: Zuckerberg named Time Person of the Year

In 2010, Zuckerberg was named the Time Person of the Year, the same year when Facebook eclipsed more than half a billion users.

2010: Signs The Giving Pledge

In 2010, Zuckerberg, Bill Gates, and Warren Buffett signed The Giving Pledge, committing to donate at least half of their wealth to charity.

2011: "The Facebook Effect" published

In 2011, according to David Kirkpatrick, the book "The Facebook Effect: The Inside Story of the Company that is Connecting the World" was published. Kirkpatrick stated that the movie "The Social Network" is only 40% true and gives a false overall impression of Zuckerberg, whose primary motivation was to create a new way to share information on the Internet.

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The Facebook Effect: The Inside Story of the Company That Is Connecting the World

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2011: Talks about Jobs' Advice

In a 2011 interview with PBS shortly after the death of Steve Jobs, Zuckerberg said that Jobs had advised him on how to create a management team at Facebook.

2011: Zuckerberg named one of Time's most influential people

Time named Zuckerberg one of the most influential people in the world in 2011.

December 2012: Pledge to donate majority of wealth

In December 2012, Zuckerberg and his wife Priscilla Chan pledged to give the majority of their wealth to "advancing human potential and promoting equality", in the spirit of The Giving Pledge.

December 2013: Donation of Facebook shares to Silicon Valley Community Foundation

In December 2013, Zuckerberg announced a donation of 18 million Facebook shares to the Silicon Valley Community Foundation, totaling $990 million and recognized as the largest charitable gift on public record for that year.

October 2014: $25 million donation to combat Ebola

In October 2014, Zuckerberg and his wife donated $25 million to combat the Ebola virus disease, specifically the West African Ebola virus epidemic.

February 2015: $75 million donation to San Francisco General Hospital

In February 2015, the couple endowed the foundation of the San Francisco General Hospital with $75 million, which was the biggest individual donation to a U.S. public hospital, and the hospital was renamed The Priscilla Chan and Mark Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital and Trauma Center.

December 1, 2015: Pledge to transfer 99% of Facebook shares to CZI

On December 1, 2015, Zuckerberg and his wife pledged to transfer 99% of their Facebook shares, then valued at $45 billion, to the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative (CZI) over the course of their lives.