Today marks a special occasion as we celebrate 34 years since Linus Torvalds first announced Linux to the world. The date is August 25, and in 1991, a 21-year-old Finnish student named Linus made his well-known declaration in the comp.os.minix newsgroup, stating his intention to create a free operating system for 386(486) AT clones as a mere "hobby."
In his message, Linus expressed his intent to develop this operating system and asked for feedback on features users would like to see. He reassured that the OS would not contain any Minix code and mentioned that it was intended for 386 architectures, as those were the only hardware compatible with his current capabilities.
Fast forward to today, and what began as a small project has grown into a monumental force in the tech industry, powering a myriad of devices—from Android smartphones to the world’s top supercomputers and even the International Space Station. Linux now serves as the backbone for countless systems, demonstrating its versatility and robustness.
Each year, enthusiasts declare "this is the year of the Linux desktop," but for those who use Linux regularly, every year holds that title. Today, we honor 34 remarkable years since its inception, reflecting on how Linux has enriched the lives of its users.
As we raise our glasses to toast this momentous occasion, let’s not forget that Linus has also pointed out that the first public release of Linux was on September 17. Both dates hold significance for the community, and regardless of when the celebration takes place, the spirit of Linux thrives.
Here’s to many more years of innovation and excellence in the world of Linux!