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On this day in history, February 4, 2004, Harvard student Mark Zuckerberg launches 'The Facebook'
Facebook is arguably one of the most recognizable names of the 21st century.
The social media site is known as a place to share photos, post on your “wall” and update your friends and family on almost any topic of your choosing.
Mark Zuckerberg, born in White Plains, New York, is best known as a creator of Facebook. His story is one of trial, error and ultimately success — and it is still evolving.
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On this day in history, Feb. 4, 2004, Harvard student Zuckerberg launched what was then known as The Facebook.
Zuckerberg’s path to Facebook started in 2003 with an online program called Facemash, of which he was primary developer.
Mark Zuckerberg was a student at Harvard University when he launched Facemash and The Facebook. He eventually dropped out to run the business. (Taylor Hill/Getty Images)
The concept revolved around the idea that students could judge the attractiveness of fellow college students who were using the program, according to Britannica.
The site was considered initially successful — with 450 students joining right off the bat.
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Facemash violated a university policy, however — and was shut down after just two days, as Britannica noted.
The Facebook launched in Feb. 2004. Its purpose was to allow college students to share photos and personal updates with others. (Juana Arias/The Washington Post via Getty Images)
Zuckerberg took note of the fast success of Facemash and decided to launch a different site for Harvard students, called The Facebook, in Feb. 2004.
This intriguing site was different — allowing students to post photos and information about themselves, such as their class schedules, as Britannica recounted.
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The popularity increased — and the site soon expanded to include students at Yale and Stanford.
Within the first four months of the site’s going live, more than 250,000 students were on The Facebook — spanning over 34 schools, according to Britannica.
Facebook’s popularity skyrocketed after its launch — and has held steady for some 20 years. (iStock)
By the end of 2004, The Facebook had over one million users — with Zuckerberg dropping out of Harvard to run the business.
Continued success came when the platform introduced a tagging feature and unlimited photo uploads — and lowered the sign-up age to 13.
Facebook was also able to monetize its app early on by allowing companies to buy advertisement space within the site.
The social media platform is available as a cell phone app. As technology has evolved, so has Facebook. (iStock)
Over the years, Facebook — based in Menlo Park, California — has faced backlash for a lack of privacy and for selling users’ data, according to History.com.
The story of Facebook’s founding and its early and complicated road to success was turned into a movie in 2010 starring actor Jesse Eisenberg and featuring Justin Timberlake — called “The Social Network.”
On this day in history, Feb. 4, 2004, Mark Zuckerberg’s “The Facebook” launched for Harvard students. Meta Platforms is headquartered in Menlo Park, California. (Taylor Hill/Getty Images/iStock)
(At the 83rd Academy Awards, the film received eight nominations, including for Best Picture, Best Director and Best Actor for Eisenberg — and won for Best Adapted Screenplay, Best Original Score and Best Film Editing.)
Zuckerberg’s technology company Facebook, Inc. today owns multiple companies such as Instagram, WhatsApp, Messenger and more.
In October 2021, Facebook, Inc. announced that its parent company name would change to Meta Platforms — alluding to a virtual reality experience for users on their platforms, according to Britannica.
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FBI raid involving LA schools superintendent possibly tied to failed $6M AI deal, potential conflict
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The federal investigation into the Los Angeles Unified School District superintendent, whose home and school office were raided Wednesday, may be tied to a failed multimillion-dollar AI school contract involving a potential conflict of interest.
Alberto Carvalho previously awarded a $6 million contract, paying $3 million up front, to education technology company AllHere.
A former salesperson employed by the firm also had her Miami property raided the same day as Carvalho, according to public records cited by the Los Angeles Times. The woman, Debra Kerr, reportedly had close ties to Carvalho during his tenure leading Miami-Dade County Public Schools.
Spokesperson Jim Marshall confirmed to local media Miami Herald that “we searched a residence in Southwest Ranches today as part of this matter and have since cleared the scene.”
Superintendent Alberto Carvalho speaks during an event at the LAUSD headquarters in downtown Los Angeles on October 30, 2025. (Genaro Molina/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)
In 2023, Carvalho secured a contract with AllHere to develop an AI chatbot called “Ed,” designed to help address student issues such as absenteeism.
It ultimately collapsed in 2024 after its founder, Joanna Smith-Griffi, was accused of embezzling funds amid data privacy risks and whistleblower concerns. She was later charged with securities fraud, wire fraud and identity theft.
Kerr further claimed in AllHere’s bankruptcy court filings that the company owed her commissions for helping secure its deal with LAUSD, according to education-focused outlet The 74.
While federal officials confirmed that search warrants were conducted Wednesday, they declined to reveal the nature of the investigation, noting that the warrants remain under seal.
Federal officials appear to carry cardboard outside a home in California. (KTTV)
However, sources told the LA Times that the investigation fell under the broad category of financial issues, and that the raid focused on Carvalho rather than the California school district.
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LAUSD released a statement saying the district is fully cooperating with federal officials.
“The LAUSD Board of Education understands that today’s news has raised questions across our school communities,” it said.
“The Board’s priority remains ensuring that our students, families, and employees experience a safe and welcoming learning environment. Teaching and learning continue across our schools. Los Angeles Unified continues to stay focused on our responsibility to serve students and our families.”
The superintendent has led the nation’s second-largest school district since 2022, overseeing the education of roughly 400,000 students. He was also unanimously reappointed to the position in September 2025.
Before moving to California, he spent 14 years leading Miami‑Dade County Public Schools, the nation’s fourth-largest school district.
The home of Alberto Carvalho, the superintendent of the Los Angeles Unified School District, is located in San Pedro, California. (KTTV)
Wednesday’s raids mark the latest controversy to engulf Carvalho.
In 2020, he helped secure a $1.57 million donation from a company that had a pending contract with the district, the Miami Herald reported.
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FBI agents appear to conduct a search warrant at a San Pedro home connected to Alberto Carvalho. (KTTV)
The funds reportedly went to an education nonprofit he founded, and the company’s online learning program, which was ultimately plagued with problems, was quickly scrapped.
In June 2021, the school’s inspector general determined that the donation, intended to benefit teachers, did not violate any policies but created the “appearance of impropriety,” the outlet said. The foundation was subsequently urged to return the funds, which reportedly had been distributed to teachers as $100 gift certificates.
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