Google’s Extraordinary Journey: From Garage Startup to Global Giant
Google celebrates its 27th birthday on September 27, 2025, commemorating its impressive transformation from a simple garage-based project to a powerful company at the forefront of technological innovation. However, the true story behind Google’s founding and its birthday celebrations is much more interesting than it first appears.
The Real Beginning
Contrary to popular belief, September 27 is not Google’s actual birthdate. The company was officially founded on September 4, 1998, when co-founders Larry Page and Sergey Brin were PhD students at Stanford University. Google’s beginnings as a business began in August 1998, when a significant investment check from Andy Bechtolsheim of Sun Microsystems formally launched this technological revolution.
Why September 27?
Google’s decision to celebrate its birthday on September 27 is somewhat mysterious. In its early years, the company celebrated its birthday on different dates in September, sometimes coinciding with major announcements or achievements. Since 2006, the celebration has been held on September 27th—possibly coinciding with a significant web indexing achievement during that time period.
Reflecting on Achievements
For Google, each birthday is a moment to reflect on its extraordinary progress. What began as a search engine has now expanded into a vast ecosystem, including Gmail, YouTube, Google Maps, Android, Pixel hardware, and cutting-edge artificial intelligence functions through the Gemini platform.
The Alphabet Era
Today, Google operates as a subsidiary of Alphabet Inc., a parent company created in 2015 to oversee its growing ventures and services. Although Larry Page and Sergey Brin have stepped away from day-to-day leadership, they retain control through special Class B shares. Operations are now headed by Sundar Pichai, who serves as CEO of both Google and Alphabet.
Toward the Future
No matter what date it is in September, Google’s impact on technology, information access, and digital innovation remains profound. Each passing year not only marks another anniversary, but also highlights the continued growth and vision of this extraordinary company.