For Microsoft, 1996 is all about partnerships. The Interactive Media Division is created consisting of MSN, the MSN online service games and kids' titles and the information businesses formerly

residing in the now-dissolved Consumer Division. Microsoft Internet Explorer version 2.0 for Windows 95 is available in 22 languages, bringing Microsoft's Web browser to the largest international audience of any Internet client software and Microsoft and

America Online (AOL) form a partnership.

Previous Episodes:

1975,

1976,

1977,

1978,

1979,

1980,

1981,

1982,

1983,

1984,

1985,

1986,

1987,

1988,

1989,

1990,

1991,

1992,

1993,

1994,

1995

1996

1996 Revenue/Headcount

The 1996 fiscal year-end sales total $8,671,000,000. The 1996 fiscal Year employee headcount totals 20,561 people.

Official Subsidiaries Launched: Microsoft Kenya , Microsoft Ivory Coast, Microsoft Romania, Microsoft Croatia

Sales Offices Established: Microsoft Vietnam (Representative Office), Microsoft Corporation (Representative Office) Egypt

January 16, 1996

Microsoft acquires Vermeer Technologies. Vermeer's flagship software application, FrontPage, is a tool for easily creating and managing rich Web documents without programming. FrontPage will become a key component of Microsoft's strategy to provide a full

range of tools for both Internet and intranet publishing.

February 6, 1996

Microsoft names Mattel USA President and Chief Operating Officer Jill E. Barad on its Board of Directors. Barad is the first woman named to the Microsoft Board of Directors since Portia Isaacson served in 1986 and 1987.

February 15, 1996

The Interactive Media Division is created consisting of MSN, the MSN online service games and kids' titles and the information businesses formerly residing in the now-dissolved Consumer Division. The new division will focus on creating and marketing worldwide,

interactive entertainment and information products acr