Wikipedia Turns 25 With 65M Articles and 15B Views Monthly

Twenty-five years ago, a crazy idea launched: anyone could edit an encyclopedia, and somehow it would work.

Today, Wikipedia stands as one of the internet's greatest success stories. What started with just 100 pages on January 15, 2001, has grown into 65 million articles that get nearly 15 billion views each month.

To celebrate, the Wikimedia Foundation is releasing short documentary clips featuring eight volunteer editors from around the globe. These are the faces behind the facts, the humans who've spent countless hours making sure the world has access to free, accurate information.

Meet "Hurricane Hank," who joined in 2005 and helped document Hurricane Katrina as it unfolded. Or Netha, an Indian doctor who fought covid misinformation on the site during the pandemic using her medical expertise.

There's Joanne from the UK, who created a page for Eloise Butler after hearing about her on Instagram. Butler founded America's first public wildflower garden but had been forgotten by history. Now she has a permanent place in the world's knowledge base.

Gabe works to ensure historic Black figures are represented properly and accurately across the site. His mission reflects Wikipedia's ongoing effort to fill gaps and correct biases in how history has been recorded.

Why This Inspires

In an age where AI generates content and misinformation spreads at lightning speed, Wikipedia represents something radical: humans working together for no pay to preserve truth. Over 1.5 billion unique devices access the site monthly, making it one of the internet's most visited destinations.

The volunteers aren't getting famous or rich. They're just people who believe knowledge should be free and accurate for everyone, everywhere.

Founder Jimmy Wales put it perfectly: "Wikipedia demonstrates 25 years of humanity at its best, proving that when people come together in the spirit of building trust and collaboration, they can make the impossible possible."

The foundation launched a digital time capsule too, including an audio message from Wales and memorable moments like when servers nearly crashed after Michael Jackson's death sent millions rushing to read his page. You can sign a digital birthday card and watch Thursday's livestream celebration at 11AM ET.

Wikipedia faces real challenges, including politicians accusing the site of bias. But 25 years in, it's still growing, still free, and still powered by people who just want to help.

The internet's backbone of knowledge was built by volunteers who believed in something bigger than themselves, and it turns out that's a foundation strong enough to last.