Today marks the 25th anniversary of Apple launching Mac OS X, the operating system that serves as the foundation of modern-day macOS. Apple released a public beta in September 2000, and the system officially launched on March 24, 2001. Steve Jobs declared it 'the future of the Mac,' emphasizing its 'unrivaled power and ease of use' and crediting user feedback for its advancement.

Mac OS X succeeded the classic Mac OS, introducing the iconic Aqua interface, the Dock, and an improved Finder. It was priced at $129 in the U.S., a significant investment for users at the time. Jobs also called it 'the most important software from Apple since the original Macintosh operating system,' highlighting its revolutionary impact on the industry.