Facebook began as a project initiated by Mark Zuckerberg, who was then a sophomore at Harvard University. With assistance from Eduardo Saverin, Zuckerberg launched the site initially for Harvard students on February 4, 2004. The platform allowed users to create personal profiles, add friends, and exchange messages, turning it into a digital college yearbook where students could connect and share their lives. The simplicity and effectiveness of Facebook caught on quickly, leading to widespread adoption at other universities. By March 2004, Facebook had attracted thousands of users and was becoming a dominant social networking site on campuses across the United States and Canada. The initial prototype showcased Zuckerberg's programming skills, and with Saverin managing the business aspects, they established a dual foundation for both technical innovation and operational success.

As Facebook expanded, it introduced new features such as the news feed, which allowed users to keep up-to-date with their friends' activities. The social networking site soon transitioned beyond just college students, opening its doors to the general public in 2006. This marked a pivotal moment in social media history as it created a space where users could freely interact, share content, and engage with one another on a global scale, sparking a change in how individuals communicated and formed relationships. The founding of Facebook was a critical milestone that set the stage for the rise of social media in the following years, ultimately shifting the dynamics of digital communication and social interaction.