Introduction
HTML, or HyperText Markup Language, is the foundational language of the World Wide Web. It was created to structure and link documents, allowing users to navigate easily between pages. Over time, HTML has gone through major updates that improved how websites are built, presented, and interacted with.
Early Development
The first version of HTML was created by Tim Berners-Lee in 1991. It supported only simple text and hyperlinks. HTML 2.0, released in 1995, standardized core tags and introduced forms for user input.
Growth and Standardization
HTML 3.2 (1997) added tables and image alignment. HTML 4.01 (1999) separated content from design through CSS and became the longest-lived version of classic HTML.
The XHTML Transition
XHTML attempted to reformulate HTML as XML for stricter syntax, but its rigidity led developers back toward a more forgiving approach, paving the way for HTML5.
Modern HTML5
HTML5 (2014) added built-in multimedia, canvas graphics, semantic tags, and JavaScript APIs that power modern web applications.
Comparison Table of HTML Versions
| Version | Release Year | Main Features |
|---|---|---|
| HTML 1.0 | 1991 | Basic text and links |
| HTML 2.0 | 1995 | Forms and structure |
| HTML 4.01 | 1999 | CSS support and layout |
| HTML5 | 2014 | Multimedia & APIs |
HTML Timeline
Key Takeaways
- HTML began as a simple markup language linking documents.
- Each version expanded capabilities and improved structure.
- HTML5 defines today’s multimedia-ready, semantic web.