TechPresident's "Politics and the Internet" Timeline

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Technology is changing politics, government and civic life. This timeline shows the accelerating pace of change in the United States, in the international arena, and online. Here are the seminal moments, inventions, and first uses that mark the early emergence and then growing importance of the Internet and connection technologies on the political arena. To view it in it's original setting, go here.

This timeline is meant to be a living document. We intend to keep updating it as events unfold. If you would like to suggest an important development that we may have missed, or make a correction to the record, please use this form.

This timeline was compiled between June 2011 and May 2012 by Diane Chang, Kristina Redgrave, Becky Kazansky and Andrew Seo, working under the editing supervision of Micah L. Sifry. Partial research support provided by the Shorenstein Center at Harvard University's Kennedy School of Government. Copyright 2012 Personal Democracy Media.

Note: Some events that are dated on the first of a month occurred during that month but the exact date is not recorded. Events are color-coded blue for USA, purple for international and green for online.