TL;DR
Wikipedia marked its 25th anniversary by publishing short videos that profile eight volunteer editors from around the world and launched a digital time capsule. The Wikimedia Foundation also highlighted the site’s scale—more than 65 million articles and roughly 15 billion monthly views—and offered anniversary activities including a digital birthday card and a livestream.
What happened
On the 25th anniversary of Wikipedia’s launch (January 15, 2001), the Wikimedia Foundation presented a set of short documentary clips that introduce eight volunteer editors and their work on the site. The featured editors include contributors such as “Hurricane Hank,” who joined in 2005 and helped edit the Hurricane Katrina entry; Netha, an Indian doctor who used her subject expertise to counter COVID-era misinformation; Joanne from the UK, who created a page for Eloise Butler after discovering her on Instagram; and Gabe, who focuses on accurate representation of historic Black figures. The videos aim to put faces and stories behind edits at a moment when concerns about AI and information quality are rising. In addition, the foundation opened a digital time capsule with an audio message from Wikipedia founder Jimmy Wales, revisited historic moments like a near-server crash after Michael Jackson’s 2009 death, and invited the public to engage via a digital birthday card and an anniversary livestream.
Why it matters
- Humanizes the volunteer community that maintains Wikipedia’s content and editorial standards.
- Highlights efforts to counter misinformation by subject-matter contributors, an increasingly visible issue in the age of AI.
- Signals attention to representation on the site, with volunteers actively improving coverage of underrepresented groups and figures.
- Preserves institutional memory through a digital time capsule and commemorative activities tied to a widely used public knowledge resource.
Key facts
- Wikipedia launched on January 15, 2001.
- The site has grown from around 100 initial pages to more than 65 million articles.
- Wikipedia attracts about 15 billion views per month.
- The Wikimedia Foundation released a mini docuseries profiling eight volunteer editors.
- Named profiles in the clips include Hurricane Hank (joined 2005), Netha (Indian doctor and editor), Joanne (UK editor), and Gabe (focused on historic Black figures).
- The foundation unveiled a digital time capsule that features an audio recording from founder Jimmy Wales.
- The time capsule revisits notable moments in Wikipedia’s history, including a near-server crash after Michael Jackson’s death in 2009.
- The anniversary package also includes a digital birthday card and a planned livestream event.
What to watch next
- The mini docuseries profiling eight volunteer editors.
- The Wikimedia Foundation’s digital time capsule, which contains an audio recording from Jimmy Wales.
- A birthday event livestream mentioned by the foundation (exact timing not confirmed in the source).
- Opportunities to sign the digital birthday card and other anniversary activities (access details not confirmed in the source).
Quick glossary
- Wikimedia Foundation: The nonprofit organization that operates Wikipedia and supports its sister projects.
- Volunteer editor: A contributor who creates, edits, and curates content on Wikipedia without pay.
- Docuseries: A set of short documentary-style videos that profile people or events over multiple episodes.
- Digital time capsule: A collection of digital items preserved to capture a moment in time for future viewing or archival purposes.
- Misinformation: False or misleading information that can spread online and influence public understanding.
Reader FAQ
How many articles does Wikipedia have?
The source reports the site has more than 65 million articles.
What is the mini docuseries about?
It presents short profiles of eight volunteer Wikipedia editors from different countries and backgrounds.
Is there an anniversary livestream I can watch?
The Wikimedia Foundation scheduled a birthday livestream, but the source does not provide the exact time or viewing details.
Does the time capsule include messages from Wikipedia leadership?
Yes; the digital time capsule contains an audio recording from Wikipedia founder Jimmy Wales.
How can I sign the digital birthday card?
Not confirmed in the source.
NEWS TECH WEB Wikipedia turns 25 and shares a glimpse into the lives of its volunteer editors The online encyclopedia is releasing a mini docuseries that puts faces to the…
Sources
- Wikipedia turns 25 and shares a glimpse into the lives of its volunteer editors
- Wikipedia 25th Anniversary
- Wikipedia at 25: What the data tells us
- Celebrate Wikipedia's 25th Birthday
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