Announces the GNU Project (GNU's Not Unix) with the goal of creating a complete Unix-like operating system that is entirely free software. This marks the official start of his activism.

Starts developing GNU Emacs, the flagship application of the GNU project and a powerful, customizable text editor.

Founds the Free Software Foundation (FSF) to provide legal, organizational, and financial support for the GNU Project and the free software movement.

Publishes the GNU General Public License (GPL), a copyleft license designed to guarantee end users the freedom to run, study, share, and modify the software.

Linus Torvalds releases the Linux kernel, which when combined with the GNU system creates a complete free operating system.