Wikipedia Day
With millions of articles on everything from science to pop culture, Wikipedia is the perfect place to find information on almost anything!
A massively popular, free, multilingual, online encyclopedia, Wikipedia has changed the way people do research and get information. Wikipedia Day celebrates the anniversary of the creation of this user-generated online source!
How to Celebrate Wikipedia Day
Whether looking up some facts or just hoping to have a good time, Wikipedia Day provides an opportunity to try out some of these ideas in celebration of the day:
Host a Wikipedia Day Party
Have fun celebrating the freedom of information that is generated by grassroots efforts and is hosted by a non-profit, non-ad-based organization!
Invite a few friends over for a little gathering to talk about the benefits of Wikipedia and the ways it has impacted life in the past 20+ years.
Make sure there is a birthday cake with candles to blow out, of course, and perhaps spend some time reading various Wikipedia entries that are fun or silly or meaningful to the people in the group!
Do Some Online Research
The very essence of Wikipedia is about getting free access to information online. Wikipedia Day would be the perfect time to do a little bit of online research about interesting topics.
See what comes up on Wikipedia and then dig deeper into other sources to find out how reliable and accurate the information actually is.
Watch a Film About Wikipedia
Good or bad, a few different films have been made around the subject and theme of Wikipedia. Perhaps Wikipedia Day is the time to watch one or some of these in celebration of the day:
- The Truth According to Wikipedia (2008). This documentary film was made in the Netherlands and acts as comparison between the use of information from experts vs. amateur editors.
- Wikipedia and the Democratization of Knowledge (2021). This German documentary film takes a look at the 20 year history of this organization and includes thoughts shared by the founders of the project, Jimmy Wales and Larry Sanger.
- Truth in Numbers? (2010). An American documentary, this film makes an exploration of the history and cultural implications that come along with an ever-changing, online, user-editable encyclopedia.
History of Wikipedia Day
In its more than two decades of use, Wikipedia has become an online resource that many people use in their daily lives.
Because it is a user generated place where information can be entered, removed and edited by just about anyone, it is not considered to be a reliable source by educators or for formal research.
It can be somewhat biased, its readability can be limited, and it may be missing information or simply have incorrect ‘facts’.
But even though it may not be reliable for everything, Wikipedia has created an enormous library with information that is free and accessible to just about anyone all over the world.
Even if it means that facts need to be checked and double checked with more reliable sources, the idea that information can be accessed for free is an important step.
Wikipedia was launched by Jimmy Wales on January 15, 2001, and its birthday is celebrated each year on Wikipedia Day!
Wikipedia Day FAQs
Why is Wikipedia Day celebrated on January 15th?
January 15, 2001, marks Wikipedia’s launch date. Founders Jimmy Wales and Larry Sanger chose this day to honor the platform’s goal: making free knowledge accessible worldwide.
They wanted Wikipedia to operate like the open-source projects of the era, giving people the power to create and edit articles freely.
Over time, this date became a day to recognize Wikipedia’s revolutionary impact on information-sharing.
Is Wikipedia really reliable if anyone can edit it?
Surprisingly, yes! Wikipedia’s volunteer editor community ensures accuracy.
Research shows it matches or exceeds traditional encyclopedias in accuracy.
While errors happen, they’re usually corrected swiftly, thanks to vigilant users and expert editors who often monitor pages related to their fields.
What’s the longest Wikipedia article?
As of recent counts, the “List of Law and Order episodes” is among the longest. It’s hundreds of thousands of characters long, detailing every episode of the TV series.
Detailed articles like this highlight Wikipedia’s dedication to depth and niche topics.
Are there Wikipedia editors who have contributed millions of edits?
Yes! Editors like “Steven Pruitt” and “Ser Amantio di Nicolao” have each contributed over 4 million edits.
Pruitt, for instance, is a public records analyst and dedicates his free time to improving Wikipedia’s content and accuracy.
Is there a Wikipedia page on nearly everything?
Almost! Wikipedia has over 6.6 million English articles, covering topics from scientific concepts to obscure memes.
However, there are still notable gaps, especially in languages other than English and in lesser-known cultural subjects.
What’s the most frequently edited Wikipedia page?
The “George W. Bush” page holds the record for frequent edits, having been altered tens of thousands of times.
Highly visible topics like political figures often attract intense editing activity and scrutiny.
Do any countries restrict access to Wikipedia?
Some do. China, for instance, restricts access to Wikipedia, especially its Chinese-language version.
Wikipedia’s commitment to open knowledge sometimes conflicts with governmental control over information, leading to regional blocks.
What are some quirky celebrations for Wikipedia Day?
Some Wikipedia enthusiasts hold edit-a-thons where people gather to improve pages.
Libraries and museums also host events, inviting users to document history or culture, adding value to the online encyclopedia.
What’s a common myth about Wikipedia?
A popular myth is that all Wikipedia content is anonymous. In fact, many editors reveal their identities and credentials, especially in fields like history or science.
Some even receive recognition in academic circles for their contributions to Wikipedia.
How many languages does Wikipedia operate in?
Wikipedia is available in over 300 languages, with English, German, and French leading in article counts. Smaller, endangered languages are also supported, contributing to cultural preservation efforts worldwide.
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