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Happy 20th birthday, Wikipedia! Fascinating facts about the internet's encyclopedia

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Free online resource Wikipedia, one of the world's most popular websites turns 20 this month. (PHOTO: GALLO IMAGES/GETTY IMAGES)
Free online resource Wikipedia, one of the world's most popular websites turns 20 this month. (PHOTO: GALLO IMAGES/GETTY IMAGES)

When did Kim Kardashian West first become famous? How many times have people landed on the moon? Who was Donald Trump’s first wife? What are totem poles? 

There’s pretty much nothing you can’t ask good old Google – and many of us do it hundreds of times a week. And sure as eggs are eggs, you’ll find what you’re looking for in the millions of search results that pop up. 

And these days we often simply click on the neat little block that appears to summarise all the info in one easy-to-navigate space. In fact, many don’t even notice they’ve moved to Wikipedia because it’s become such a seamless part of the everyday internet search. The online encyclopaedia was launched 20 years ago on 15 January and has become an important part of the global digital world.

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