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Cats and Wikipedia Day

Today, January 15th, marks Wikipedia Day, a celebration of the world’s largest free encyclopedia and its mission to share knowledge. But let’s be honest—if there’s one topic that truly embodies the spirit of the internet, it’s cats! From memes to famous felines, cats have captured our hearts and our screens. What better way to honor Wikipedia than to dive into how it chronicles the phenomenon of cats on the internet?

Cat viewing Wikipedia article on laptop
Pic: Jerry from Sioux Falls, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Cats: The Original Internet Stars
Before social media influencers and viral dances, cats were the internet's true pioneers. The Wikipedia article “Cats and the Internet” offers a fascinating overview of how our feline friends became online sensations. According to the page, cats have dominated platforms like YouTube, Instagram, and TikTok with their adorable antics, mysterious allure, and often comical personalities.

Fun Facts from Wikipedia:

  • The phenomenon of cat videos dates back to 2006, with viral hits like Keyboard Cat and Nyan Cat quickly becoming cultural icons.

    "I haz eaten the Cheeeezburger!"
    Pic: Michael Kleinsasser from Pixabay

  • The term “LOLcats” became popular with early memes featuring photos of cats captioned with humorous, intentionally misspelled text (think: “I Can Has Cheezburger?”).

Famous Internet Cats Immortalized on Wikipedia
Wikipedia doesn’t just document history—it preserves the legacies of cats who’ve shaped our digital age. A few notable names include:

  • Grumpy Cat (Tardar Sauce): The perpetually frowning feline whose memes were shared millions of times.
  • Maru: A Japanese cat famous for his love of diving into boxes, celebrated for his curious and quirky nature.
  • Lil Bub: A polydactyl cat whose unique appearance and charm raised awareness for special-needs pets.
Each of these felines has their own dedicated Wikipedia page, reflecting the immense impact they’ve had on internet culture.

Why Do Cats Rule the Internet?
As the Wikipedia article notes, cats are “enigmatic, expressive, and relatable.” Their behaviors—ranging from graceful to downright silly—mirror human emotions in ways that make us laugh, cry, and share their stories.

Plus, cats are perfect for bite-sized content. A 10-second clip of a cat failing a jump or chasing a laser pointer can bring instant joy—a feeling we all crave in the fast-paced digital world.

Celebrating Cats and Knowledge
Today, why not celebrate both cats and Wikipedia by diving into feline facts or even contributing to cat-related pages on Wikipedia? Whether you’re researching the history of cats as internet stars, learning about famous breeds like the Sphynx, or exploring their cultural significance, there’s always more to discover.

Let’s hear from you!
 Do you have a favorite internet cat or a cherished viral cat video?
Share your stories in the comments below or tag Kitten Kaboodle on social media with your favorite feline memes and moments.
Let’s keep spreading the joy that cats bring to our screens and our lives.

🐾 Explore more feline fun here! 🐾

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