National Email Day: From 1971 to Today, Here’s Why It Still Matters

How Email Took Over the World—And Why We Celebrate It Every April 23

Today, email is an integral part of our lives, especially in the world of business. It has become the standard mode of professional communication, to the point where it has nearly erased the traditional letter-writing industry. It’s fascinating to think that the very first email was sent all the way back in 1971. That groundbreaking moment is now commemorated every year on April 23rd as National Email Day, honoring the birthday of Ray Tomlinson, the pioneer behind email as we know it.

I still remember how thrilled I was when I got my very first Hotmail account—for free! It felt like I had joined a digital revolution. Back then, having an email address was something new and exciting. Now, it’s almost unthinkable not to have one. I even received an exclusive invitation to join Gmail when it first launched—what a game-changer that was.

Tomlinson passed away on March 5, 2016. He died of a heart attack at the age of 74, at his home in Lincoln, Massachusetts. His passing marked the loss of a true pioneer whose simple yet groundbreaking idea continues to shape the way billions of people connect every day.

The 1990s marked a turning point. With the rise of the internet and the emergence of user-friendly services like AOL and Hotmail, email usage skyrocketed. It became accessible to the average person, not just tech enthusiasts or academics. Suddenly, families, schools, and businesses everywhere were adopting this fast, convenient way to stay in touch.

Fast forward to today, and email is simply a part of daily life. It’s estimated that there are 3.9 billion email accounts worldwide, with an average of 98 emails sent and received per person, per day. It’s more than just communication—emails are so widely accepted that in many countries, they are even considered legally binding documents.

From a novelty to a necessity, the journey of email over the past five decades is nothing short of extraordinary.

National Email Day Timeline

1971 – The Birth of Email
A monumental moment in tech history—computer engineer Ray Tomlinson sends the very first email. Using the now-iconic “@” symbol to separate user and host, Tomlinson laid the foundation for how we communicate online today. This humble beginning marks the dawn of a communication revolution that would forever change the world.

1982 – ‘Email’ Becomes a Word
The term “email” officially entered the public lexicon. What was once a novel concept for tech insiders begins to gain traction among a broader audience, setting the stage for email’s eventual global takeover.

1996 – Hotmail Launches
Free, web-based email becomes a reality with the launch of Hotmail. It was groundbreaking—accessible from any device with internet access, no software required. Users flocked to the service, ushering in the era of widespread email adoption.

2004 – Gmail Enters the Scene
Google introduces Gmail, and everything changes again. With a massive 1 GB of storage at launch (unheard of at the time), advanced search capabilities, and a clean interface, Gmail redefined user expectations and quickly became one of the most popular email services in the world.

2011 – National Email Day Is Born
Recognizing the profound impact of email on modern life, April 23 is officially proclaimed National Email Day. The date honors the birthday of Ray Tomlinson, paying tribute to the creator of email and celebrating one of the most influential inventions of the digital age.

2013 – Email Overtakes Traditional Mail
A historic tipping point—email usage officially surpasses snail mail. Businesses, government institutions, and individuals now overwhelmingly rely on email for correspondence, signaling a new era in communication history.