International Internet Day

International Internet Day: From Dreams to Memes to Streams

Imagine a world without the internet. A world where information moves at the speed of a snail mail letter, where shopping means visiting physical stores, where staying in touch often results in unannounced visits. Memes are restricted to ads and the occasional funny poster. But lots of free time because there’s  no endless scrolling.
That’s the world we lived in only a few decades ago.
On October 29th, we celebrate International Internet Day, a day to commemorate the anniversary of the first message sent between two computers in 1969.
The internet has come a long way since then, and we can’t imagine life without being connected most of our waking hours.

The First Cyber Connection

The internet, or “the net,” is like a colossal spider web, connecting millions of computers worldwide. All these computers are connected via a wide range of wireless, optical, and electrical networking technologies. It’s “the internet” because it’s not just any network; it’s THE network that links us all!
The name “internet” is short for “interconnected networks,” a web of connections that stretches across the globe.
This web has books and magazines in the form of “interlinked hypertext documents”, we do our phone calls on the web and even send electronic mail instead of sending envelopes with postal services. The internet has revolutionized the way we live, work, and communicate.
It has made it easier to access information from all over the world, to stay connected with friends and family, and to collaborate with people from all over the globe.
The internet is the best thing since sliced bread, but with more memes and videos!

History of the Internet: A Message in 1969

Now, let’s rewind to a time when sending a message involved more than a finger tap…
The internet has a long and fascinating history, dating back to the early 1960s. Here is a brief summary of some of the key milestones in the history of the internet:

• 1969: ARPANET, a project by the U.S. Department of Defense, connected computers for the first time, signaling the birth of the internet.
• 1983: The TCP/IP protocol standardized communication between computers on a network, giving birth to the internet as we know it.
• 1989: The World Wide Web was invented by Tim Berners-Lee.
• 1991: The World Wide Web was officially born as the first website came online, making the internet accessible to everyone who could dial in.
• 1993: The first web browser, Mosaic, is released.
• 1995: Windows 95 is released with built-in internet support. This marks the beginning of the internet going mainstream.
• 1998: Google is founded.
• 2004: Facebook is founded.
• 2005: The first International Internet Day is celebrated and also YouTube is founded and uploaded its first video.
• 2007: The first iPhone is released.
• 2010: The first iPad is released.
• 2016: Amazon Web Services (AWS) launches its first machine learning service.

Benefits And Drawbacks Of The Internet

The internet’s a two-edged sword:

Benefits:

• Global Connectivity:
  The internet is our portal to the world, connecting people, cultures, and ideas.
• Endless Information:
  The internet gives us access to a seemingly infinite library, where you can learn about anything, from gardening to rocket science.
• Economic Engine:
  Shopping has never been easier. Shop in your pajamas and have it delivered to your doorstep. Convenience at its finest!
• Digital Entertainment:
  Streaming, games, and endless cat videos. Need I say more? Boredom is a thing of the past.
• Remote Work:
  The internet made remote work easy, even during a pandemic. 
• Education Evolution:
  Online learning opens doors for curious minds offering a variety of educational resources, including online courses, tutorials, and e-books.

Drawbacks:

• Privacy Pitfalls:
  Personal data can become public property if we don’t watch what we share and where we it.
• Information Overload:
  Sorting through the digital noise can be overwhelming. 
• Digital Divide:
  Not everyone has equal access to the internet, creating a digital gap.
• Addiction Alert:
  From social media to streaming, it’s easy to get lost in virtual vortex rabbit holes which can cost many hours of your life and can even lead to digital addiction.
• Cybersecurity Threats:
   Hacking, phishing, and online scams are ever-present threats. From viruses to scams, the digital world has its share of hazards.
• Misinformation Mayhem:
  Fake news and internet hoaxes can lead you down the rabbit hole. Fake news and internet hoaxes are a widespread problem on the internet. Sorting fact from fiction is a fundamental skill in the age of fake news.
• Cyberbullying:
  Cyberbullying is a growing problem, and it can be very harmful to victims.

The Origin of International Internet Day

International Internet Day was created in 2005 by the Association of Internet Users (AIU), a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting digital literacy and internet access around the world.
International Internet Day celebrates the historical event in 1969 when the first digital message was sent between two computers over ARPANET.

How to Celebrate International Internet Day

Here are a few ideas:

• Virtual Hangout:
  Host an online party with friends and family from different corners of the globe.
• Tech Throwback:
  Rewatch your favorite vintage internet memes, from “Hamster Dance” to “Nyan Cat”
• Nostalgic Playlist:
  Create a soundtrack with hit songs from the year the internet was born (bonus points if it includes “Space Oddity” by David Bowie).
• Host a Streaming Party:
  Pick your favorite online platform that supports “streaming parties” where you can watch a video together online while talking about it in chat. Pick a classic or the latest blockbuster, and invite friends to join the party where talking during the movies is allowed as long as no one posts spoilers. 
• Digital Declutter:
  Use this day to clean up your digital life. Unsubscribe from those spammy emails, declutter your desktop, and back up your precious pet photos.
• Unplug for a Bit:
  Take a break from the web and focus on the real world for a few hours for a refreshing break. 
• Pamper Your Gadgets:
  Give your devices some love. Clean your screen, update your apps and make sure all your gadgets are purring like kittens.
• Share the Digital Love:
  Share photos and videos of your International Internet Day events and activities. Use the hashtags #InternationalInternetDay and #IAD2023.

A Web of Wires and Wonder

So, as the internet turns another year older, let’s celebrate International Internet Day, the day that lets you party in your PJs, as long as you’re connected!!
Cheers to the global wonderland that has made the world a smaller place. Where you can find anything, from recipes to cat videos to the meaning of life. Where ‘I’ll just check my email’ turns into a three-hour adventure through the depths of the internet. Where it’s okay to have 37 open tabs and still call it ‘work.’
And if someone asks why you’re celebrating International Internet Day by binge-watching hilarious YouTube videos while ordering more pizza than you should, just tell them Wild Calendar gave you a license to enjoy the digital party of the year and invite them to share the joy.
So, here’s to the marvel that is the internet, where you can find anything, from the meaning of life to the perfect dogs riding bikes video.
Have a funtastic International Internet Day!