Historical Viral Video Archive

Fifteen landmark viral videos from 1998 to 2017, each with a full written history: when it went viral, what it peaked at, why South Africa loved it and where it stands in 2026. All embeds are official uploads only.

2007 · YouTube Beta Era

Charlie Bit My Finger

Peak 880M+ views

Fifty-six seconds of a baby biting his brother's finger became the most watched home video of the decade.

2007 · YouTube Beta Era

Chocolate Rain

Peak 130M+ views

A homemade protest song about racism, delivered in a startling bass voice by a graduate student at his desk.

2007 · YouTube Beta Era

Leave Britney Alone

Peak 50M+ within days views

A tearful two-minute plea in defence of Britney Spears that the internet mocked for over a decade before agreeing with it.