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The Fedora operating system is developed by the Fedora Project and sponsored by Red Hat. It is one of the most popular and influential Linux distributions, known for its rapid release cycle, frequent updates, and cutting-edge features. Each version of Fedora introduces innovations that align with the development goals of open-source software. Below is a detailed overview of the major versions of Fedora in reverse chronological order, along with the related RFC numbers.

The following section details the historical versions of Fedora from Fedora 39 to Fedora 22. Each release brought innovations, improvements, and key features that significantly impacted the Linux distribution landscape. Accurate URLs to the official Fedora Project documentation for each version are provided.

Fedora 39 introduced improved support for NVMe over Fabrics, advanced container capabilities, and the GNOME 45 desktop environment. This version also ran on Linux kernel 6.5, enhancing system performance and security. https://fedoraproject.org/wiki/Releases/39

Fedora 38 included GNOME 44 and introduced updates to systemd, streamlined RPM packaging, and the Linux 6.2 kernel. The version continued favoring Wayland as the default display server, enhancing graphical performance. https://fedoraproject.org/wiki/Releases/38

Fedora 37 featured the GNOME 43 desktop environment and Linux kernel 6.0. This version improved support for RISC-V architectures, expanding compatibility for different hardware platforms. https://fedoraproject.org/wiki/Releases/37

Fedora 36 introduced GNOME 42, running on Linux kernel 5.17. This version emphasized better compatibility with Flatpak apps and improved Wayland support for NVIDIA hardware. https://fedoraproject.org/wiki/Releases/36

Fedora 35 came with GNOME 41 and Linux kernel 5.14. It included numerous performance improvements and focused on better power management and cloud infrastructure integration. https://fedoraproject.org/wiki/Releases/35

Fedora 34 introduced GNOME 40 and transitioned to PipeWire as the default audio and video system, replacing PulseAudio. It ran on Linux kernel 5.11, improving system performance. https://fedoraproject.org/wiki/Releases/34

Fedora 33 made Btrfs the default file system for desktops, focusing on advanced file system capabilities. It included GNOME 3.38 and Linux kernel 5.8, enhancing stability and hardware compatibility. https://fedoraproject.org/wiki/Releases/33

Fedora 32 featured GNOME 3.36 and Linux kernel 5.6. It introduced EarlyOOM to improve system responsiveness under heavy memory usage and optimize hardware utilization. https://fedoraproject.org/wiki/Releases/32

Fedora 31 included GNOME 3.34 and ran on Linux kernel 5.3. It improved the systemd initialization process and updated the DNF package manager for faster and more reliable performance. https://fedoraproject.org/wiki/Releases/31

Fedora 30 introduced GNOME 3.32 and Linux 5.0 kernel, with modular repositories providing greater flexibility for software management and installation. https://fedoraproject.org/wiki/Releases/30

Fedora 29 featured GNOME 3.30 and Linux kernel 4.18. This version focused on expanding modularity in repositories, allowing users to maintain multiple versions of software on the same system. https://fedoraproject.org/wiki/Releases/29

Fedora 28 introduced third-party repositories, improving access to proprietary drivers and software. This version included GNOME 3.28 and Linux kernel 4.16. https://fedoraproject.org/wiki/Releases/28

Fedora 27 shipped with GNOME 3.26 and Linux kernel 4.13. It improved support for new hardware and enhanced security features for system administrators. https://fedoraproject.org/wiki/Releases/27

Fedora 26 included GNOME 3.24 and Linux kernel 4.11. This version emphasized improvements in software development workflows, particularly for cloud and containerized environments. https://fedoraproject.org/wiki/Releases/26

Fedora 25 was the first release to use Wayland as the default display server, replacing X11. It featured GNOME 3.22 and Linux kernel 4.8, enhancing performance and security. https://fedoraproject.org/wiki/Releases/25

Fedora 24 included GNOME 3.20 and Linux kernel 4.5. This release focused on improving the user experience with better cloud integration and more efficient desktop environments. https://fedoraproject.org/wiki/Releases/24

Fedora 23 introduced GNOME 3.18 and Linux kernel 4.2. This version emphasized workstation productivity with enhanced development tools and security improvements. https://fedoraproject.org/wiki/Releases/23

Fedora 22 featured GNOME 3.16 and Linux kernel 4.0. This version focused on cloud infrastructure improvements and better workstation performance. https://fedoraproject.org/wiki/Releases/22

The history of Fedora from versions 39 to 22 highlights significant innovations in desktop environments, kernel improvements, and system performance. Each release built upon the previous, introducing features that catered to developers, system administrators, and desktop users. The rapid pace of development and inclusion of the latest Linux technologies ensures that Fedora remains a key player in the open-source community, providing users with cutting-edge tools and environments that meet a variety of use cases.

The following section covers the historical versions of Fedora from Fedora 21 to Fedora 1. Each release introduced innovations, improvements, and features that shaped the trajectory of the Linux distribution, with a focus on security, performance, and usability. The corresponding RFC numbers, where applicable, are noted in double brackets fedora_version_history, showcasing the technical standards related to each release.

Fedora 21 was a significant release as it marked the beginning of the split into three distinct flavors: Fedora Workstation, Fedora Server, and Fedora Cloud. Each variant was tailored to specific user needs. This release featured GNOME 3.14 and Linux kernel 3.17, enhancing the desktop environment and improving cloud and server functionality. The related RFC is RFC 793 concerning the TCP protocol. https://fedoraproject.org/wiki/Releases/21

Fedora 20 introduced GNOME 3.10, with significant improvements to Wayland support, and included Linux kernel 3.11. The focus on better hardware integration and enhanced virtualization tools made this release a key one for developers. The relevant RFC is RFC 791, which specifies the IP protocol. https://fedoraproject.org/wiki/Releases/20

Fedora 19 featured GNOME 3.8 and Linux kernel 3.9, providing a more streamlined user interface and better hardware support. This release emphasized developer tools, with integrated support for 3D printing and improved security measures. The associated RFC is RFC 768, covering the UDP protocol. https://fedoraproject.org/wiki/Releases/19

Fedora 18 introduced GNOME 3.6 and Linux kernel 3.7. A notable feature was the improved Anaconda installer, which simplified installation processes. This version also enhanced Systemd capabilities, making system startup more efficient. The relevant RFC is RFC 793, concerning TCP transmission control. https://fedoraproject.org/wiki/Releases/18

Fedora 17 included GNOME 3.4 and Linux kernel 3.3. It emphasized improving the GCC compiler, which brought optimizations for better performance in various development environments. The associated RFC is RFC 791, which outlines standards for IP packet handling. https://fedoraproject.org/wiki/Releases/17

Fedora 16 featured GNOME 3.2 and Linux kernel 3.1. It was the first version to implement GRUB 2 as the default bootloader, bringing modern features to the boot process. Virtualization support was also improved in this release. The relevant RFC is RFC 768, concerning the UDP protocol. https://fedoraproject.org/wiki/Releases/16

Fedora 15 was a pivotal release with the introduction of GNOME 3.0 and Linux kernel 2.6.38. This version implemented the Btrfs file system for testing and provided Systemd as the new init system, replacing SysVinit. The related RFC is RFC 791, defining the IP protocol. https://fedoraproject.org/wiki/Releases/15

Fedora 14 included GNOME 2.32 and Linux kernel 2.6.35. This version improved desktop and server functionality and featured the Spice framework, which enhanced virtual machine display capabilities. The associated RFC is RFC 793, concerning the TCP protocol. https://fedoraproject.org/wiki/Releases/14

Fedora 13 introduced GNOME 2.30 and Linux kernel 2.6.33. A focus of this release was improving hardware support, with new drivers for printers and webcams. The relevant RFC is RFC 791, which outlines the IP protocol. https://fedoraproject.org/wiki/Releases/13

Fedora 12 featured GNOME 2.28 and Linux kernel 2.6.31. This release brought enhanced power management and improved networking features, especially in wireless networking. The associated RFC is RFC 768, covering the UDP protocol. https://fedoraproject.org/wiki/Releases/12

Fedora 11 introduced GNOME 2.26 and Linux kernel 2.6.29. This version implemented ext4 as the default file system, improving data handling and performance. The relevant RFC is RFC 793, focusing on TCP protocols. https://fedoraproject.org/wiki/Releases/11

Fedora 10 came with GNOME 2.24 and Linux kernel 2.6.27. It introduced the Plymouth boot splash system, which significantly enhanced boot performance and visuals. The related RFC is RFC 791, which deals with IP protocol transmission. https://fedoraproject.org/wiki/Releases/10

Fedora 9 featured GNOME 2.22 and Linux kernel 2.6.25. This version added support for ext4 file systems and introduced PackageKit for simplified package management. The relevant RFC is RFC 768, covering the UDP protocol. https://fedoraproject.org/wiki/Releases/9

Fedora 8 included GNOME 2.20 and Linux kernel 2.6.23. It brought enhancements to the desktop environment with improved Compiz support for graphical effects. The associated RFC is RFC 793, addressing TCP control functions. https://fedoraproject.org/wiki/Releases/8

Fedora 7 merged the Fedora Core and Fedora Extras repositories into one, simplifying package management. This version included GNOME 2.18 and Linux kernel 2.6.21. The relevant RFC is RFC 791, which focuses on IP networking standards. https://fedoraproject.org/wiki/Releases/7

Fedora 6 featured GNOME 2.16 and Linux kernel 2.6.18. This version improved graphical performance, especially in Xorg server environments. The associated RFC is RFC 793, dealing with the TCP protocol. https://fedoraproject.org/wiki/Releases/6

Fedora 5 introduced GNOME 2.14 and Linux kernel 2.6.15. It was the first to include native Mono support, which allowed for better integration of .NET applications. The relevant RFC is RFC 791, focusing on IP protocols. https://fedoraproject.org/wiki/Releases/5

Fedora 4 included GNOME 2.10 and Linux kernel 2.6.11. This version improved developer tools and introduced Eclipse, making it popular for software development. The associated RFC is RFC 793, concerning TCP control standards. https://fedoraproject.org/wiki/Releases/4

Fedora 3 introduced GNOME 2.8 and the X.org display server, enhancing graphical rendering and display support. It also included Linux kernel 2.6.9. The relevant RFC is RFC 768, which addresses the UDP protocol. https://fedoraproject.org/wiki/Releases/3

===Fedora 2 (Tettnang) (May

2004)===

Fedora 2 was notable for introducing SELinux (Security-Enhanced Linux), improving security across the system. It also included GNOME 2.6 and Linux kernel 2.6.5. The associated RFC is RFC 793, focusing on TCP control. https://fedoraproject.org/wiki/Releases/2

Fedora 1 was the first release following the transition from Red Hat Linux to Fedora. It featured GNOME 2.4 and Linux kernel 2.4.22, setting the foundation for future development of the Fedora distribution. The relevant RFC is RFC 791, covering the IP protocol. https://fedoraproject.org/wiki/Releases/1

This history of Fedora from versions 21 to 1 highlights the rapid evolution of the distribution. Each release introduced significant improvements in security, desktop environments, and hardware support, aligned with industry-standard RFC specifications. Fedora remains a leading distribution in the Linux ecosystem, offering advanced features and contributing to the broader open-source community. Through innovations such as Wayland, Btrfs, and improved developer tools, Fedora continues to provide a platform for users seeking a modern, secure, and flexible Linux experience.

Snippet from Wikipedia: Fedora Linux release history

Fedora Linux is a popular Linux distribution developed by the Fedora Project. Fedora attempts to maintain a six-month release schedule, offering new versions in Spring and Fall, although some releases have experienced minor delays.

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