<P> The social networking company Facebook held its initial public offering (IPO) on Friday, May 18, 2012 . The IPO was the biggest in technology and one of the biggest in Internet history, with a peak market capitalization of over $104 billion . Media pundits called it a "cultural touchstone ." </P> <P> For years, Facebook and Zuckerberg resisted both buyouts and taking the company public . The main reason that the company decided to go public is because it crossed the threshold of 500 shareholders, according to Reuters financial blogger Felix Salmon . </P>

When did facebook go public (start selling stock)