Data.gov Celebrates Third Anniversary

Today marks the third anniversary of the U.S. government’s open data site, Data.gov. The first national open data site, Data.gov led the way in opening government data around the world. Now 30 countries host open data sites and they are key tools in the global open government movement.

Growing from 47 datasets in 2009 to nearly 450,000 datasets today, Data.gov reaches across 172 federal agencies to bring data to innovators, developers, analysts and citizens across the nation. The data shows up in smart phone apps, websites, and information that lets people buy smarter, use energy more efficiently, and find better health-care solutions each day.

Over the past year alone, Data.gov has not only added more datasets, it has added more opportunities for interaction with them, and more opportunities for collaborating and sharing information both nationwide and around the world. In fact, President Obama’s Open Government U.S. National Action Plan considers Data.gov an important tool to spur innovation in the United States and around the globe.

Data.gov has become a gathering spot for those with shared interests through its topic-based communities. Expanding these communities is a key priority of President Obama’s U.S. National Action Plan, which heralds six Data.gov communities: – Education, Health, Law, Energy, Safety, and Research.

These communities bring together experts from the public, academia, industry, and government to address the national challenges in energy, health, and law, and this year new communities launched on safety, education, manufacturing, oceans, ethics, developers, and business. From organizing challenges to inspire new innovations to supporting code-a-thons in cities, to building platforms for entrepreneurs to find new technologies and grow their businesses—Data.gov is putting federal data to work for Americans.
Join the celebration, discover new information, and find ways to get more from your money, your time, and your business. Visit Data.gov!

Data.gov is managed by the General Services Administration’s Office of Citizen Services and Innovative Technologies working with the U.S. Chief Information Officer and U.S. Chief Technology Officer

Previous Announcements

Mash Up the World with Data.gov!

Join us on the National Mall for two days of science fun. This nonprofit festival will showcase 1,500 hands-on interactive activities and 75 stage shows for all ages.

International Open Government Data Conference: A Rousing Success!

Experts from around the world presented on the Semantic Web, Privacy and Security, Geospatial Innovations, Mobile Apps, E-Democracy, and more.

Tsunami Warning

Real-time alerts and data related to the tsunami and earthquake off the coast of Japan.

Sunshine Week

March 13-19, 2011, is Sunshine Week, an international event that focuses on helping to open government data and information and freedom of information activities. In honor of Sunshine Week, Data.gov introduces the new Law.data.gov community and Data.gov in the Classroom campaign.

Introducing Data.Gov Next Generation

Data.gov starts an exciting new chapter in its evolution to make government data more accessible and usable than ever before.

Additional Information

Harvard Business School

Read the Harvard Business School (HBS) case study* (1.5 MB, PDF) on Data.gov presented by HBS Assistant Professor Karim Lakhani, Ph.D. This case study is free for government use.

Explore the Data.gov Concept of Operations*(CONOPS, 4 MB, PDF) released at the Conference. The CONOPS represents the vision for the future of Data.gov and Open Data for the Federal Government.

* To view these documents in PDF format, you must have Adobe Reader Software. Download it free here.

New Features

New Data.gov Features

We are pleased to announce the availability of the Data.gov GEO Viewer, an interactive mapping tool designed to let users preview geospatial data available through the Data.gov catalogs. Using this tool, you can immediately view datasets on an interactive map, overlay them with other datasets, and investigate the underlying data.

Newest Datasets

New Data.gov Features

Find out what datasets and tools have been added to Data.gov catalogs.

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Data.gov In the News

Data.gov In the News

Check out how Data.gov is making news. You'll also find stories about Open Government and learn how Data.gov is supporting its core principles of transparency, participation and collaboration.