Changes

ICANN's history and the history of the Internet are interlinked, and the mission of ICANN was carried out prior to its formation by volunteers, governmental actors, and academic institutions. The following is an attempt to categorize the history (and prehistory) of ICANN and the Domain Name System into eras. Some eras are defined by technical and technological advances, while others are defined by policy initiatives, structural or operational changes to ICANN org, or a broader thematic push. For instance, the present era involves the globalization of access to and use of the Internet; despite ICANN being committed to the global Internet community from its inception, several trends are converging to make the present moment a fight for global and universal access and acceptance: the [[BRIC]] countries will represent the vast majority of Internet growth in the coming decade; [[Internationalized Domain Name]]s are growing in prominence and the effort to ensure [[universal acceptance]] of alternate language scripts is as well; efforts to nationalize the DNS by China and Russia are forcing a broader conversation about the value and impact of a global Internet; and ICANN itself is aggressively seeking to improve its presence in and outreach to under-represented parts of the world.

[[ICANN]]'s history and the history of the [[Internet]] are interlinked, and the [[ICANN Mission- and Value-Driven Initiatives|mission of ICANN]] was carried out prior to its formation by volunteers, governmental actors, and academic institutions. The following is an attempt to categorize the history (and prehistory) of ICANN and the [[The Domain Name System|Domain Name System]] into eras. Some eras are defined by technical and technological advances, while others are defined by policy initiatives, structural or operational changes to the [[ICANN Organization|ICANN org]], or a broader thematic push. For instance, the present era involves the globalization of access to and use of the Internet; despite ICANN's commitment to the global Internet community from its inception, several trends have converged to make the present moment a fight for global and universal access and acceptance: [https://www.statista.com/topics/3116/internet-usage-in-bric/#dossierKeyfigures Internet usage in BRIC] will represent the vast majority of growth in the coming decade; [[Internationalized Domain Name]]s are growing in prominence, and the effort to ensure [[universal acceptance]] of alternate language scripts is as well; efforts to provide [[Alternative Roots|alternatives to the DNS by China and Russia are forcing a broader conversation about the value and impact of a global, interoperable Internet; and ICANN itself is aggressively seeking to improve its presence in and outreach to under-represented parts of the world.

==Overview==

==Overview==

</timeline>

</timeline>

==Key Years==

==Eras==

[[ICANN through the Decades|ICANN has grown and changed significantly over the years]]. [[:Category:Internet Pioneers|Many people]] have made contributions throughout their lives to shaping how the Internet and ICANN work. The following is an abbreviated look at the birth of the Internet and the development of ICANN. It should not be taken as a canonical resource regarding ICANN's evolution. Technological and policy initiatives overlap. The boundaries for each era are necessarily fuzzy. Although the effort is to identify themes within the events and history of a given era, there is no guarantee that we have it "right," or that there is a "perfectly correct" representation of a given timeframe.  

[[ICANN through the Decades|ICANN has grown and changed significantly over the years]]. [[:Category:Internet Pioneers|Many people]] have made contributions throughout their lives to shaping how the Internet and ICANN work. The following is an abbreviated look at the birth of the Internet and the development of ICANN. It should not be taken as a canonical resource regarding ICANN's evolution. Technological and policy initiatives overlap. The boundaries for each era are necessarily fuzzy. Although the effort is to identify themes within the events and history of a given era, there is no guarantee that we have it "right," or that there is a "perfectly correct" representation of a given timeframe.  

==1968-1976: The Birth of the Internet==

==1968-1976: The Birth of the Internet==

==1988-1995: Legitimization==

==1988-1995: Legitimization==

===1988===

===1988===

====Documents & RFCs====

====Documents & RFCs====

* RFC 1083 - Internet Activities Board Official Protocol Standards (first mention of the [[Internet Assigned Numbers Authority]] (IANA) in the RFC Index)<ref>[https://www.rfc-editor.org/rfc/rfc1083.html RFC 1083 - IAB Official Protocol Standards], December 1988</ref>

[[File:IAB.png ‎|1000px|thumbnail|right|IAB logo (Image from [https://www.iab.org/about/history/ A Brief History of the IAB])]]* RFC 1083 - Internet Activities Board Official Protocol Standards (first mention of the [[Internet Assigned Numbers Authority]] (IANA) in the RFC Index)<ref>[https://www.rfc-editor.org/rfc/rfc1083.html RFC 1083 - IAB Official Protocol Standards], December 1988</ref>

===1992===

===1992===

* Internet goes commercial/ gains a public/ officially becomes marketplace

* Internet goes commercial/ gains a public/ officially becomes marketplace

==1996-1997: Internet Governance in Broad Strokes==

==1996-1997: Internet Governance in Broad Strokes==

===1997===

===1997===

====Events====

====Events====

====Events====

====Events====

* In February 1998, the National Telecommunications Information Administration ([[NTIA]]) creates a Proposal to Improve the Technical Management of Internet Names and Addresses.

* In February 1998, the National Telecommunications Information Administration ([[NTIA]]) creates a Proposal to Improve the Technical Management of Internet Names and Addresses.

* In September 1998, ICANN files its Articles of Incorporation with the California Secretary of State.

[[File:Headquarters-ICANN-Marina-del-Rey-Calif.jpg|right|thumbnail|Early ICANN Headquarters at USC ISI (Image from [https://www.britannica.com/topic/ICANN Britannica])]]* In September 1998, ICANN files its Articles of Incorporation with the California Secretary of State.

* In October 1998, ICANN’s first board meeting is held in New York, at which [[Esther Dyson]] is named Chairman and [[Mike Roberts]] is designated President of ICANN.

* In October 1998, ICANN’s first board meeting is held in New York, at which [[Esther Dyson]] is named Chairman and [[Mike Roberts]] is designated President of ICANN.

* In November 1998, a [[Memorandum of Understanding]] between the [[United States Department of Commerce]] and [[ICANN]] is signed.<ref>[https://www.icann.org/resources/unthemed-pages/icann-mou-1998-11-25-en ICANN.org Archive - Memorandum of Understanding], November 25, 1998</ref> Contemporaneously with the signing of the MoU, ICANN amends its Articles of Incorporation to include a broader statement of public benefit that conforms to the expectations of the MoU.

* In November 1998, a [[Memorandum of Understanding]] between the [[United States Department of Commerce]] and [[ICANN]] is signed.<ref>[https://www.icann.org/resources/unthemed-pages/icann-mou-1998-11-25-en ICANN.org Archive - Memorandum of Understanding], November 25, 1998</ref> Contemporaneously with the signing of the MoU, ICANN amends its Articles of Incorporation to include a broader statement of public benefit that conforms to the expectations of the MoU.

* The first New gTLD Expansion Round is conducted.<ref>[https://archive.icann.org/en/tlds/app-index.htm ICANN.org - New TLD Application Process Archive], last updated November 13, 2000</ref>

* The first New gTLD Expansion Round is conducted.<ref>[https://archive.icann.org/en/tlds/app-index.htm ICANN.org - New TLD Application Process Archive], last updated November 13, 2000</ref>

==2002-2004: ICANN Reform==

==2001-2003: ICANN Reform==

===2002===

===2002===

====Events====

====Events====

* M. Stuart Lynn: "President's Report: ICANN -- The Case for Reform"<ref>[https://archive.icann.org/en/general/lynn-reform-proposal-24feb02.htm ICANN: The Case for Reform], February 24, 2002</ref>

* M. Stuart Lynn: "President's Report: ICANN -- The Case for Reform"<ref>[https://archive.icann.org/en/general/lynn-reform-proposal-24feb02.htm ICANN: The Case for Reform], February 24, 2002</ref>

* [https://www.icann.org/resources/unthemed-pages/bylaws-2002-12-15-en ICANN Bylaws], as revised in December 2002 in response to the Evolution & Reform Process and the ERC's recommendations.

* [https://www.icann.org/resources/unthemed-pages/bylaws-2002-12-15-en ICANN Bylaws], as revised in December 2002 in response to the Evolution & Reform Process and the ERC's recommendations.

===2003===

===2003===

====Events====

====Events====

* The ccNSO is created for and by ccTLD managers.

* The ccNSO is created for and by ccTLD managers

* ICANN launches the second new gTLD expansion round, which runs until 2011 and during which .asia, .cat, .jobs, .mobi, .tel, .travel, .xxx are delegated.

* ICANN launches the second new gTLD expansion round, which runs until 2011 and during which .asia, .cat, .jobs, .mobi, .tel, .travel, .xxx are delegated.

 

==2005-2006: Expansion of [[ICANN Community]]==

===2006===

===2004===

* ICANN gets its first [[Ombudsman]]

===2005===

====Events====

====Events====

* [[ICANNWiki]] is founded to foster and grow knowledge and community ties among ICANN's diverse constituencies.

* [[ICANNWiki]] is founded to foster and grow knowledge and community ties among ICANN's diverse constituencies.

==2007-2009: Seemingly Infinite Reviewing Cycle==

==2007-2009: Seemingly Infinite Reviewing Cycle==

[[File:First Org Reviews.jpeg|500px|right|First Organizational Review Timeline]]

File:First Org Reviews.jpeg|First Organizational Review Timeline

[[File:Review Overlap.jpeg|500px|above|Rough Timeline of ICANN Review Overlap]] <br/>

File:Review Overlap.jpeg|Rough Timeline of ICANN Review Overlap

 

</gallery>  

The [[ICANN Bylaws]] call for two different types of review - organizational reviews (Article 4.4) and specific reviews (Article 4.6). [[ICANN Reviews#Organizational Reviews|Article 4.4 reviews]] were born from the [[2002 Evolution and Reform Process]], and require periodic review of ICANN's supporting organizations and advisory committees. [[ICANN Reviews#Specific Reviews|Article 4.6 reviews]] originated in the [[Affirmation of Commitments]], and the first round of "specific" reviews occurred before these reviews were enshrined in the bylaws. The amendment to the bylaws came about as a result of the [[IANA Functions Stewardship Transition]], when it was recommended that the bylaws be revised to incorporate ICANN's obligations under the Affirmation of Commitments.

The [[ICANN Bylaws]] call for two different types of review - organizational reviews (Article 4.4) and specific reviews (Article 4.6). [[ICANN Reviews#Organizational Reviews|Article 4.4 reviews]] were born from the [[2002 Evolution and Reform Process]], and require periodic review of ICANN's supporting organizations and advisory committees. [[ICANN Reviews#Specific Reviews|Article 4.6 reviews]] originated in the [[Affirmation of Commitments]], and the first round of "specific" reviews occurred before these reviews were enshrined in the bylaws. The amendment to the bylaws came about as a result of the [[IANA Functions Stewardship Transition]], when it was recommended that the bylaws be revised to incorporate ICANN's obligations under the Affirmation of Commitments.

* [[First GNSO Organizational Review|The first GNSO Organizational Review]] results in the creation of the bicameral structure of the [[GNSO Council]], and the creation of the [[GNSO Houses]].

* [[First GNSO Organizational Review|The first GNSO Organizational Review]] results in the creation of the bicameral structure of the [[GNSO Council]], and the creation of the [[GNSO Houses]].

===2009===

===2009===

====Events====

====Events====

* The [[Affirmation of Commitments]] between [[ICANN]] and the [[United States Department of Commerce]] establishes the requirement for [[ICANN Reviews|specific reviews]] of ICANN's core commitments.

* The [[Affirmation of Commitments]] between [[ICANN]] and the [[United States Department of Commerce]] establishes the requirement for [[ICANN Reviews|specific reviews]] of ICANN's core commitments.

* [[RSSAC]] and [[SSAC]] jointly commission a [[Root Scaling Study]] as part of ICANN's preparations for the [[New gTLD Program]].<ref>[https://www.icann.org/resources/board-material/minutes-2009-02-03-en Resolution of the Board], February 3, 2009</ref>

* [[RSSAC]] and [[SSAC]] jointly commission a [[Root Scaling Study]] as part of ICANN's preparations for the [[New gTLD Program]].<ref>[https://www.icann.org/resources/board-material/minutes-2009-02-03-en Resolution of the Board], February 3, 2009</ref>

 

====Documents====

====Documents====

* "Scaling the Root: Report on the Impact on the DNS Root System of Increasing the Size and Volatility of the Root Zone"<ref>[https://www.icann.org/en/system/files/files/root-scaling-study-report-31aug09-en.pdf Root Scaling Study Report], August 31, 2009 (PDF)</ref>

* "Scaling the Root: Report on the Impact on the DNS Root System of Increasing the Size and Volatility of the Root Zone"<ref>[https://www.icann.org/en/system/files/files/root-scaling-study-report-31aug09-en.pdf Root Scaling Study Report], August 31, 2009 (PDF)</ref>

== 2012-2017: Scaling the Root==  

== 2012-2017: Scale the Root==  

===2012===

===2012===

* The third round of new gTLD expansion is launched with the [[New gTLD Program]].

* The third round of new gTLD expansion is launched with the [[New gTLD Program]].

===2017===  

===2017===  

====Events====

====Events====

* ICANN and NTIA formally end their contract for the IANA functions, completing the transition of the IANA functions stewardship from NTIA to ICANN.

* ICANN and NTIA formally end their contract for the IANA functions, completing the transition of the IANA functions stewardship from NTIA to ICANN.<ref>[https://www.internetx.com/en/news-detailview/the-history-of-the-domain-name-industry/ History of the Domain Name Industry, Internetx]</ref>

==References==

==References==

[[Category:ICANN History]]

[[Category:ICANN History]]