Twitter, now known as X, celebrates its 20th anniversary on July 15, 2026. Launched in 2006 under the name twttr, the platform has undergone dramatic transformations, from a simple microblogging site to a global stage for politics, culture, and controversy. Here are 15 tweets that chart its evolution.
The First Tweet
On March 21, 2006, co-founder Jack Dorsey sent the first tweet: "just setting up my twttr." Those five words marked the beginning of a platform that would redefine how the world communicates.
Miracle on the Hudson
On January 15, 2009, commuter Janis Krums tweeted a photo of a plane floating in the Hudson River with the caption: "There's a plane in the Hudson. I'm on the ferry going to pick up the people. Crazy." This broke the news faster than any TV station, establishing Twitter as a primary source of real-time information.
Ed Balls Tweets His Own Name
On April 28, 2011, British politician Ed Balls accidentally tweeted his own name: "Ed Balls." The gaffe went viral and spawned an annual internet tradition known as Ed Balls Day, with the politician himself joining in on the joke.
Obama Celebrates Victory
On November 7, 2012, President Barack Obama tweeted "Four more years" after winning reelection. The tweet became the first major instance of Twitter uniting politicians and supporters directly, a trend that would grow in later years.
The Pope Joins Twitter
On December 12, 2013, Pope Francis sent his first tweet from the papal account @Pontifex: "Dear friends, I am pleased to get in touch with you through Twitter. Thank you for your generous response. I bless all of you from my heart." This marked Twitter's adoption by one of the world's oldest institutions.
Justine Sacco's Tweet
On December 20, 2013, PR director Justine Sacco tweeted a racist joke before an 11-hour flight. By the time she landed, the internet had rallied against her, and she was fired. The incident revealed Twitter's capacity for mob justice.
A Tweet Becomes a Film
On October 27, 2015, Aziah "Zola" King began a 148-tweet thread that went viral. The story was later adapted into the A24 film "Zola," nominated for multiple awards, showcasing Twitter's ability to generate real-world culture.
Fyre Festival Exposed
On April 28, 2017, Seth Crossno, under the alias William Needham Finley IV, tweeted a photo of luggage being dumped from a shipping container at the Fyre Festival. The tweet went viral, exposing the festival's failure and forcing mainstream media to cover the story.
Trump Announces Defence Policy
On July 26, 2017, President Donald Trump tweeted that transgender people would not be allowed to serve in the US military. The announcement bypassed internal defence officials, many of whom were taken by surprise. This marked Twitter as a place where politics happened, not just where it was reported.
JK Rowling Controversy
On June 6, 2020, JK Rowling tweeted a comment criticizing the phrase "people who menstruate," sparking a divisive cultural war. The fallout saw Daniel Radcliffe and Emma Watson publicly distance themselves from the author.
Trump Gets Banned
On January 8, 2021, Trump tweeted that he would not attend the inauguration. Two days earlier, he had incited a violent riot at the Capitol. Twitter permanently banned him, realizing the platform's potential for destruction.
Musk Buys Twitter
On April 27, 2022, Elon Musk tweeted: "For Twitter to deserve public trust, it must be politically neutral, which effectively means upsetting the far right and the far left equally." This came shortly after Twitter accepted his offer to buy the platform.
Musk Rigs the Algorithm
On February 14, 2023, Musk posted a tweet supporting the Eagles during the Super Bowl, which received fewer impressions than Joe Biden's tweet. He then had his engineers boost his posts by a factor, flooding users' feeds. Musk later posted a meme celebrating the move.
Musk Responds to Outrage
On June 2, 2026, Musk tweeted "RAGE" in response to the death of Henry Nowak, which many saw as two-tier policing. The word was designed to inspire outrage and push far-right ideals, leading to immediate backlash.
Bareilles Leaves Twitter
On October 30, 2022, singer Sara Bareilles tweeted: "Welp. It's been fun Twitter. I'm out. See you on other platforms, peeps. Sorry, this one's just not for me." Her departure exemplified how the platform had changed over the years, with many users lamenting its deterioration.
