360What happened in 2004?
4 moments from 2004 on 360n60, each told in 60 words or fewer.
- On this day · 4 January 2004
The rover Spirit lands on Mars
On 4 January 2004, NASA's rover Spirit bounced to a landing on Mars, cushioned by airbags. Planned to work for 90 days, it explored for more than six years and found strong signs that water once flowed there. Its twin, Opportunity, landed three weeks later and drove more than 45 km.
- On this day · 4 February 2004
Facebook is launched
On 4 February 2004, Mark Zuckerberg and fellow students launched 'TheFacebook' for students at Harvard University. It soon opened to other universities and then to everyone. Facebook grew into the world's largest social network, with about three billion users, and changed how people share news and keep in touch.
- On this day · 1 April 2004
Google launches Gmail
On 1 April 2004, Google launched Gmail, offering one gigabyte of free storage, hundreds of times more than rival free email services. Because of the date, many people thought it was an April Fool's joke. Gmail grew into the world's most used email service, with more than a billion users.
- 2004 · from The Burj Khalifa opens as the world's tallest building
Construction begins