HTML (HyperText Markup Language) is the standard language used to create and structure content on the web. It defines the structure of a webpage using tags and elements that tell the browser how to display text, images, videos, links, and other content.
HTML was created by Tim Berners-Lee in 1991 while working at CERN. It was initially used to allow researchers to share documents over the web.
The first standardized version of HTML, HTML 2.0, was released in 1995, allowing web pages to have basic structures, tables, and forms.
Released in 1997, HTML 3.2 introduced tables and stylesheets for better presentation of web content.
HTML 4.01, introduced in 1999, improved the structure and allowed for scripting languages like JavaScript and CSS for design management.
HTML5, the latest version, was introduced in 2014. It included features like support for video/audio elements, canvas for graphics, and improved mobile responsiveness.
HTML is essential in web development as it structures the content on the page. While CSS controls layout and design, and JavaScript adds interactivity, HTML forms the foundation of a webpage. It makes web content accessible, compatible across browsers, and allows for integration with other web technologies.