The first tweet was made by co - founder Jack Welch on March 21 , 2006 . It now has nearly 200 million users posting 140 million messages a day . But that short statement proved to be enough to launch a global phenomenon that has launched careers , reunited long-lost relatives , and even , some would argue , topple dictators . It has played a role in events from Charlie Rose 's battle with CBS to the Egyptian revolution .
The first tweet was made by co - founder Jack Welch on March 21 , 2006 . It now has nearly 200 million users posting 140 million messages a day . It has played a role in events from Charlie Rose 's battle with CBS to the Egyptian revolution .