To celebrate reaching 500 million active users globally, Facebook has launched the application Facebook Stories.

The application celebrates the connections that people have made through Facebook since its launch and helps them to share their stories – including how they found love, formed groups, raised awareness of causes and reunited with others around the world.

Facebook CEO, Mark Zuckerberg said “Our mission at Facebook is to help make the world more open and connected. Stories like these are examples of that mission and are both humbling and inspiring. I could have never imagined all of the ways people would use Facebook when we were getting started 6 years ago.”