Wikipedia turns 25 and profiles volunteer editors

Wikipedia is marking its 25th anniversary with a mini docuseries that profiles eight volunteer editors and a digital time capsule; the site now hosts more than 65 million articles and receives nearly 15 billion views each month.

Wikipedia marks its 25th anniversary on January 15, 2026. The site has grown from its original 100 pages to more than 65 million articles and receives almost 15 billion views each month. To mark the milestone, the Wikimedia Foundation released short clips profiling eight volunteer editors from around the world and launched a digital "time capsule" that includes an audio message from founder Jimmy Wales. A birthday livestream is scheduled for Thursday at 11AM ET and a digital birthday card is available. Key facts: - Wikipedia launched on January 15, 2001 and now lists more than 65 million articles. - The site draws nearly 15 billion page views each month and is accessed by over 1.5 billion unique devices monthly. - The Wikimedia Foundation released brief clips highlighting eight volunteer editors, including contributors who worked on Hurricane Katrina, COVID-related topics, and underrepresented historical figures. - The digital time capsule includes an audio recording from Wikipedia founder Jimmy Wales and revisits notable moments in the site's history. - A birthday livestream is set for Thursday at 11AM ET, and users can sign a digital birthday card. - The organization faces public accusations of bias from some politicians, which remain part of broader discussions about the site. Summary: The anniversary events — editor profiles, a time capsule, and a livestream — emphasize the human volunteers behind a widely used information resource. Wikipedia continues to attract large monthly audiences, and the site remains part of ongoing public conversations about content and bias.