This is a company that started 19 years ago when one man thought it would be a good idea to make the power of the Internet available to the average consumer. In the years since, America Online has grown to a company of 19,000 people serving a community of more than 30 million members worldwide. Here's how it happened:
2004 |
| August 4, 2004 | AOL announces acquisition of Mailblocks Inc., personal, Web-based e-mail service for consumers known for using state-of-the-art technology to block spam and provide streamlined, efficient e-mail user interface |
| July 12, 2004 | AOL News announces it will offer live interactive gavel-to-gavel coverage of 2004 Democratic and Republican conventions |
| June 22, 2004 | Anti-spam technical alliance that includes AOL, Microsoft, Yahoo! and EarthLink publishes industry recommendations to help stop spam |
| May 20, 2004 | AOL announces spam in member in-boxes down by 20%-30% |
| May 17, 2004 | New AOL Diet & Fitness channel launched through content partnerships with Health Magazine, Cooking Light, and eDiets.com |
| May 14, 2004 | AOL announces it blocked more than one billion virus-infected e-mails in past year |
| May 6, 2004 | AOL for Broadband launches new games destination with more online games, original programming, and video game discounts |
| April 27, 2004 | AOL Journals introduces private journals and integration with AOL Alerts |
| April 22, 2004 | AOL and Time Warner Cable reach agreements to cross-promote AOL for Broadband and Road Runner high-speed online services |
| April 21, 2004 | AOL announces that members can access AOL Mail using popular third-party e-mail applications |
| April 20, 2004 | ICQ introduces ICQ 4.0 offering dynamic personal communications platform to its growing global community |
| April 5, 2004 | AOL 9.0 launches in UK with focus on new-generation communication and anti-spam tools |
| March 30, 2004 | AOL music service MusicNet@AOL announces it has reached 250,000 subscribers; newly enhanced service now offers unlimited streaming and downloading of more than 600,000 songs for $8.9May month, a la carte burning of songs for 99 cents each |
| March 30, 2004 | AOL announces it has seized a luxury Porsche sports car from a major spammer who AOL caught, thanks to members reporting spam |
| March 23, 2004 | Stream of live Usher concert on AOL Broadband Rocks from New York City accessed nearly 900,000 times in first three days on AOL Music and Radio@AOL |
| March 16, 2004 | AOL launches AOL Bill Pay, new personal finance service that allows AOL members to track and pay bills online and to manage their personal finances |
| March 11, 2004 | AOL announces agreement with Covad Communications to offer AOL for broadband members a new class of broadband product, Broadband Connect, a high-speed DSL connection without any accompanying content or applications |
| March 10, 2004 | AOL, EarthLink, Microsoft and Yahoo! team up to file first major industry lawsuits under new federal anti-spam law |
| March 4, 2004 | ICQ launches ICQ Universe, a dynamic social-networking service that enables Internet users worldwide to link up with friends, family, colleagues and others to create a personal profile and access a dynamic view of the relationships between members |
| February 5, 2004 | AOL launches latest upgrade of AOL Instant Messenger, AIM verison 5.5, with new features including live video instant-messaging compatible with Apple's popular iChat AV video conferencing application, online games, and account linking |
| February 3, 2004 | AOL launches the RED service created exclusively for teens |
| January 8, 2004 | Netscape launches low-cost Internet access service targeting value-conscious Internet users and providing unlimited dial-up usage for $9.95 a month |
| January 6, 2004 | AOL announces it will make AOL Spyware Protection available as a standard feature to all its members; service will help AOL and AOL for Broadband members identify and disable many potential types of surveillance and advertising software |
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2003 |
| December 11, 2003 | AOL works with Virginia Attorney General in first criminal indictments under Virginia anti-spam law |
| October 15, 2003 | AOL launches AOL 9.0 Optimized, the latest version for AOL and AOL for Broadband, the most compelling upgrade in the company's history |
| October 1, 2003 | AOL launches AOL Latino, a Spanish-language Internet service for U.S. Hispanics |
| September 29, 2003 | AOL launches the KOL(tm) and KOL Jr.(tm) services created exclusively for kids aged 2-12 |
| April 30, 2003 | AOL blocks more than 2 billion spam e-mails in one day on behalf of members |
| March 31, 2003 | AOL launches AOL for Broadband; new Bring Your Own Access pricing includes special pricing for current AOL members; new AOL 8.0 Plus creates more compelling broadband experience; new content agreements and programming initiatives add to AOL's leadership in providing exclusive, on-demand, and compelling online programming. |
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2002 |
| December 3, 2002 | AOL and Time Warner's leading media companies combine to deliver unique content offerings to AOL members |
| November 18, 2002 | AOL introduces Broadband Radio@AOL, first online radio service designed for AOL Broadband members |
| November 11, 2002 | AOL launches AOL for Small Business for small-office/home-office market |
| November 4, 2002 | AOL launches Enterprise AIM Services to help businesses manage use of instant messaging |
| October 23, 2002 | New AOL version 8.0 sets record with more than 5 million downloads by AOL members in first two weeks |
| October 15, 2002 | AOL launches AOL 8.0; announces end to third-party pop-ups; service reinforces commitment to providing timely, relevant content |
| October 08, 2002 | AOL service in UK passes 2-million-member mark; launches £27.99 per month broadband package |
| October 1, 2002 | AOL launches AOL AMBER Alerts with National Center for Missing & Exploited Children to use Internet to help locate, rescue abducted children |
| September 30, 2002 | ICQ introduces ICQ Lite, small, quick, easy-to-use version of popular ICQ instant messaging and communications software |
| September 25, 2002 | AOL and nation's largest wireless carrier, Verizon Wireless, launch AIM service |
| August 29, 2002 | Netscape launches Netscape 7.0 browser |
| August 21, 2002 | Time Warner announces broad carriage agreement to make AOL Broadband available on number of AT&T; Comcast cable systems |
| August 09, 2002 | AOL Music releases Nullsoft Winamp3, next-generation of popular audio player |
| August 7, 2002 | Nextel launches AOL content, AIM and other services on nation's only all digital, national packet data network |
| July 24, 2002 | AOL service surpasses 35 million members |
| June 19, 2002 | AOL@School reaches more than 36% of K-12 schools in two years with presence in all 50 states |
| June 13, 2002 | AOL Music announces expansion of popular Sessions@AOL with launch of regular half-hour online show |
| May 30, 2002 | ICQ reaches milestone of 200 million downloads |
| May 1, 2002 | AOL allies with Google for technology to power search areas of AOL, CompuServe, AOL.com, Netscape |
| April 23, 2002 | CompuServe 7.0 launches |
| April 23, 2002 | AOL, Motorola agree to offer built-in AIM service on Motorola wiresless devices |
| March 20, 2002 | AOL joins with Nextel to offer AOL services including e-mail and AIM over Nextel phones |
| February 5, 2002 | MapQuest reaches milestone of more than 10 billion maps and routes served to consumers and businesses since launch in 1996 |
| January 31, 2002 | AT&T; Wireless announces AIM service available on select AT&T; Wireless phones |
| January 10, 2002 | AOL launches AOL Alerts to deliver content, information to members through e-mail, AIM or variety of mobile and handheld devices |
| January 17, 2002 | Rogers AT&T; Wireless teams with ICQ and AOL Canada Inc. to offer ICQ messaging on mobile devices in Canada |
| January 2, 2002 | AOL passes $33 billion in member online spending in 2001 driven by record $11 billion fourth quarter |
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2001 |
| December 11, 2001 | ICQ Lite, new version of instant messaging product, lets users access ICQ account from any browser; ICQ 3.0X for Mac brings ICQ to Mac OSX users |
| December 11, 2001 | New AOL for Mac OS X launched |
| November 08, 2001 | VoiceStream Wireless introduces AIM service as built-in application on Nokia 3390 phone |
| October 22, 2001 | New AOL version 7.0 sets record with more than 2.5 million downloads by AOL members in first five days |
| October 16, 2001 | AOL launches AOL 7.0 |
| October 16, 2001 | AOL launches Radio@AOL |
| October 16, 2001 | AOL services in Europe surpass 5 million members |
| September 5, 2001 | AOL Latin America surpasses 1 million members |
| August 20, 2001 | AOL launches Autos Channel |
| August 1, 2001 | MapQuest releases mobile version making maps available on wireless PDAs |
| July 26, 2001 | AIM 4.7 launches for Windows |
| July 23, 2001 | AOL, Amazon.com announce alliance to develop and offer enhanced online shopping experience |
| July 23, 2001 | AOL Music announces initiatives in online music |
| July 19, 2001 | AOL aquires InfoInterActive Inc., leading developer and provider of Internet call management services |
| June 27, 2001 | AOL, AT&T; Wireless announce plan to develop mobile service with customized version of AOL desktop service including mail, instant messaging, content |
| June 25, 2001 | AOL service surpasses 30 million members |
| June 11, 2001 | AOL and Legend Holdings, leading Chinese PC manufacturer and provider of interactive services in China, announce joint venture to develop consumer interactive services for Chinese market |
| June 7, 2001 | AOL France surpasses 1 million member milestone with record subscriber growth and time online in past year |
| May 23, 2001 | AOL members spend record $6.7 billion shopping online in first quarter 2001 |
| May 22, 2001 | AOL announces it will increase unlimited use plan by $1.95 to $23.90 |
| May 21, 2001 | AOL, VoiceStream Wireless launch AIM for VoiceStream's two-way interactive messaging service (SMS) |
| May 09, 2001 | ICQ surpasses 100 million users |
| May 09, 2001 | AOL, WebMD announce alliance to bring healthcare information and services to millions of online consumers |
| January 31, 2001 | AOL membership outside U.S. surpasses 5 million members |
| January 11, 2001 | AOL and Time Warner complete merger to create Time Warner |
| January 08, 2001 | AOL launches AOL Mail Alerts service allowing members to send messages to their text-enabled digital cell phones or alphanumeric pagers |
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1999 |
| December 17, 1999 | AOL service surpasses 20 million members |
| December 1, 1999 | ICQ surpasses 50 million registered users |
| December 1, 1999 | AOL acquires Tegic Communications |
| November 22, 1999 | Stock splits two-for-one |
| November 16, 1999 | AOL Brasil launches |
| October 20, 1999 | AOL and Gateway announce strategic partnership |
| October 19, 1999 | Netscape hits milestone of 20 million registrants |
| October 14, 1999 | AOL Germany surpasses 1 million members |
| October 13, 1999 | Motorola and AOL plan to develop wireless application
for AIM |
| September 28, 1999 | AOL Hong Kong launches |
| August 24, 1999 | AIM surpasses 45 million users; launches next-generation AIM Version 3.0 |
| August 09, 1999 | ICQ exceeds 40 million registered users 14 months after acquisition by AOL, more than tripling number of registered users |
| July 27, 1999 | AOL and GTE partner to provide ADSL service |
| June 22, 1999 | AOL and 3Com Corporation announce relationship to give AOL members access to e-mail via handheld computer for first time |
| June 21, 1999 | AOL and Hughes Electronics form strategic alliance to market unparalleled digital entertainment and Internet services |
| June 21, 1999 | AOL signs pacts with DIRECTV, Inc., Hughes Network Systems, Philips Electronics, and Network Computer, Inc. to help bring connected interactivity to TV experience |
| June 15, 1999 | AOL acquires Digital Marketing Services, Inc., leader in online incentive marketing programs and online custom market research |
| June 1, 1999 | AOL acquires leading Internet music brands Spinner.com, Winamp, and SHOUTcast |
| May 21, 1999 | AOL completes acquisition of MovieFone, Inc. |
| April 5, 1999 | AOL acquires When Inc. |
| March 17, 1999 | AOL completes acquisition of Netscape Communications Corporation |
| March 11, 1999 | AOL and SBC Communication announce partnership to deliver high-speed DSL access |
| February 22, 1999 | Stock splits two-for-one |
| February 3, 1999 | AOL and First USA announce agreement representing Internet's largest advertising and marketing partnership to date valued at up to $500 million |
| February 1, 1999 | AOL announces intention to acquire MovieFone, Inc., nation's No. 1 movie listing and ticketing service |
| January 26, 1999 | AOL Inc. surpasses 3 million AOL and CompuServe members outside U.S. |
| January 12, 1999 | AOL and Bell Atlantic announce partnership to deliver high-speed DSL access |
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1998 |
| December 30, 1998 | AOL service surpasses 15 million members |
| December 22, 1998 | Standard and Poor's announces AOL to be added to S&P; 500 Index |
| December 15, 1998 | AOL and Cisneros Group announce Latin America joint venture |
| November 24, 1998 | AOL announces acquisition of Netscape, strategic partnership with Sun Microsystems |
| November 17, 1998 | Stock splits two-for-one |
| November 11, 1998 | AOL announces acquisition of PersonaLogic, Inc. |
| October 7, 1998 | AOL and Bertelsmann launch AOL Australia |
| July 23, 1998 | AOL announces full deployment of V.90 standard |
| June 08, 1998 | AOL announces intention to acquire Mirabilis LTD and its ICQ Technology |
| May 6, 1998 | AOL announces intention to acquire NetChannel, Inc. |
| March 16, 1998 | Stock splits two-for-one |
| February 2, 1998 | AOL completes acquisition of CompuServe |
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1997 |
| December 16, 1997 | AOL service passes 1 million member mark outside U.S. |
| November 17, 1997 | AOL service passes 10 million members; AOL now delivering more daily mail in form of e-mail and instant messages than U.S. Postal Service |
| October 27, 1997 | AOL Studios launches Entertainment Asylum |
| October 7, 1997 | AOL and Bertelsmann, AG announce plans to launch online service in Australia |
| September 08, 1997 | AOL announces intention to acquire CompuServe Online Services |
| September 2, 1997 | AOL service passes 9 million members |
| June 17, 1997 | AOL Studios launches WorldPlay Entertainment |
| June 16, 1997 | AOL service passes 750,000 members internationally |
| April 15, 1997 | AOL Japan launches |
| March 10, 1997 | AOL acquires Lightspeed Media to create original content for Greenhouse Entertainment Network |
| February 25, 1997 | Multi-year, $100-million marketing deal announced with Tel-Save Holdings |
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1996 |
| December 1, 1996 | AOL introduces unlimited-use pricing plan of $19.95 per month |
| November 25, 1996 | Excite becomes AOL's exclusive Internet search and directory service |
| September 16, 1996 | Moves from Nasdaq to New York Stock Exchange listed under symbol "AOL"; Wall Street sign is changed to WAOL Street for the day |
| August 6, 1996 | AOL acquires ImagiNation Network (INN) to expand multiplayer games offering |
| July 1, 1996 | AOL launches version 3.0 for Windows |
| May 08, 1996 | AOL announces joint venture with Mitsui and Nikkei to launch service in Japan |
| March 18, 1996 | AOL France launches |
| March 12, 1996 | Marketing distribution alliances announced with Apple and AT&T.; Browser partnerships announced with Microsoft and Netscape Communications. Licensing and developing agreement announced with Sun Microsystems. |
| February 6, 1996 | AOL service passes 5 million members |
| February 1, 1996 | AOL acquires Johnson-Grace, leading developers of data compression technology |
| January 31, 1996 | AOL UK and AOL Canada launch |
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1995 |
| December 28, 1995 | AOL service exceeds 4.5 million members |
| November 08, 1995 | Developers Studio launched to provide AOL software tools to third-party developers |
| November 08, 1995 | PC Magazine, Family PC Magazine, Online Access Magazine and Information Industry Association rate AOL
"Best Consumer Online Service" |
| October 19, 1995 | AOL completes sale of previously registered shares at $58.38 |
| October 30, 1995 | Launch of GNN, AOL's direct Internet service |
| September 22, 1995 | AOL acquires Ubique, Ltd., creator of Virtual Places |
| September 19, 1995 | Registration filed for secondary offering of 3,500,000 shares |
| July 6, 1995 | AOL service passes 3 million members |
| June 1, 1995 | Acquires Global Network Navigator (GNN) as platform for direct Internet service; acquires WebCrawler search tool |
| May 22, 1995 | AOL acquires WAIS, Internet publisher, and Medior, developer of interactive media |
| May 3, 1995 | AOL service exceeds 2.5 million members |
| April 27, 1995 | Stock splits two-for-one |
| April 3, 1995 | First participants of Greenhouse announced: The eGG, Health ResponseAbility Systems, InterZine Productions, The Motley Fool, NetNoir, and Health Zone |
| March 1, 1995 | Joint venture with Bertelsmann, AG announced to create European online services |
| February 21, 1995 | AOL service passes 2 million members |
| February 17, 1995 | Acquires ANS, commercial Internet access provider |
