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Microsoft releases Internet Explorer 3.0

Microsoft Internet Explorer 3 (IE3) is the third version of the Internet Explorer graphical web browser which was announced in March 1996, and was released on August 13, 1996 by Microsoft for...

Microsoft Internet Explorer 3 (IE3) is the third version of the Internet Explorer graphical web browser which was announced in March 1996, and was released on August 13, 1996 by Microsoft for Microsoft Windows and on January 8, 1997 for Apple Mac OS (see IE for Mac). It began serious competition against Netscape Navigator in the first browser war. It was Microsoft's first browser release with a major internal development component. It was the first more widely used version of Internet Explorer, although it did not surpass Netscape or become the browser with the most market share. During its tenure, IE market share went from roughly 3–9% in early 1996 to 20–30% by the end of 1997.

Historical Significance

Microsoft Internet Explorer 3 (IE3) is the third version of the Internet Explorer graphical web browser which was announced in March 1996, and was released on August 13, 1996 by Microsoft for Microsoft Windows and on January 8, 1997 for Apple Mac OS (see IE for Mac).

Events Before

  1. Poppy [Moriah Rose Pereira] is born

    Poppy [Moriah Rose Pereira] is born

  2. Centennial of the Canadian Mounties' presence in Canada's Yukon Territory

    Centennial of the Canadian Mounties' presence in Canada's Yukon Territory

  3. Camilla Parker Bowles (46) and her husband retired Army Brigadier Andrew Parker Bowles(55) divorce, after 21 years of ma

    Camilla Parker Bowles (46) and her husband retired Army Brigadier Andrew Parker Bowles(55) divorce, after 21 years of marriage

  4. "Back for Good" single released by British boy band Take That, reaches No. 1 in 31 countries

    Take That are an English pop group formed in Manchester in 1990. The group currently consists of Gary Barlow, Howard Donald and Mark Owen.

  5. American actress Julia Roberts (27) and American singer-songwriter Lyle Lovett (37) divorce after less than 2 years of m

    American actress Julia Roberts (27) and American singer-songwriter Lyle Lovett (37) divorce after less than 2 years of marriage

Events After

  1. The Republic of Zaire officially joins the World Trade Organization as Zaire

    The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), also known as the DR Congo, Congo-Kinshasa, or simply the Congo, or less often Zaire, is a country in Central Africa.

  2. "Smothers Brothers" actor-singer Dick Smothers (58) weds third wife Denby Franklin (47) in Las Vegas, Nevada; divorce in

    "Smothers Brothers" actor-singer Dick Smothers (58) weds third wife Denby Franklin (47) in Las Vegas, Nevada; divorce in 2006

  3. "Wall Street" actor Charlie Sheen (31) divorces model Donna Peele after nearly 5 months of marriage

    "Wall Street" actor Charlie Sheen (31) divorces model Donna Peele after nearly 5 months of marriage

  4. "Buffy the Vampire Slayer," created by Joss Whedon and starring Sarah Michelle Gellar, premieres on the WB Television Ne

    "Buffy the Vampire Slayer," created by Joss Whedon and starring Sarah Michelle Gellar, premieres on the WB Television Network

  5. American rapper Vanilla Ice (29) weds Laura Giarritta

    American rapper Vanilla Ice (29) weds Laura Giarritta

More from the 1990s

Frequently Asked Questions

What happened on August 13, 1996?
Microsoft Internet Explorer 3 (IE3) is the third version of the Internet Explorer graphical web browser which was announced in March 1996, and was released on August 13, 1996 by Microsoft for Microsoft Windows and on January 8, 1997 for Apple Mac OS (see IE for Mac). It began serious competition against Netscape Navigator in the first browser war. It was Microsoft's first browser release with a major internal development component.
Why is Microsoft releases Internet Explorer 3.0 significant?
Microsoft Internet Explorer 3 (IE3) is the third version of the Internet Explorer graphical web browser which was announced in March 1996, and was released on August 13, 1996 by Microsoft for Microsoft Windows and on January 8, 1997 for Apple Mac OS (see IE for Mac).

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