We used all the available tools in order to communicate with each other, collaborate and agree on a date, a time and a location for the start of the revolution. Yet, starting Jan. 28, the revolution was on the streets. It was not on Facebook, it was not on Twitter. Those were tools to relay information, to tell people the truth about what’s happening on the ground.

— Internet activist Wael Ghonim says sites like Facebook are tools that can help connect people and disseminate information to the masses, but cannot create social changes on their own.

I was writing with my heart, not my keyboard. I was writing what I felt should be written.

— On today’s Fresh Air, Internet activist Wael Ghonim talks about how his Facebook page helped start Egypt’s revolution.

The protests that led to the Egyptian revolution, were organized in part by an anonymous Facebook user. When the police found out who he was, they arrested and interrogated him. Now, Wael Ghonim is internationally famous. On tomorrow’s Fresh Air, we talk to Wael Ghonim about revolutions, Egypt, and social media.

(Tweet from Ghonim last Jan. Complete Storify to acclimate yourself.)

Tomorrow’s Fresh Air: Democracy movements are sweeping across the Middle East. But the dramatic changes in Egypt, Tunisia, Libya and Syria have not yet come to the West Bank. If and when that does occur, it could be a game-changer for Israel and the United States according to Robert Malley. He’s the program director for the Middle East and North Africa at the International Crisis Group.

Journalist Charles Sennott, on the impact of the Egyptian revolution: “This was one of the really exciting and beautiful aspects of this revolution, to see young people within Egyptian society coming together from a lot of different walks of life. The 30-year truth of the regime of Mubarak was that he made sure that never happened. He kept people divided. There was a concerted attempt not to allow people to pull together like that. And I think [those in Tahrir Square] were thrilled and energized by that and you could feel it.”

Cairo: "The First Day of a New Egypt"

Dispatch from today’s guest, Charles Sennott, last Friday in Cairo.

To be there on the ground to see history unfold was the most exciting and thrilling story I have ever covered in 25 years of reporting.

lookhigh:

30 years seems like yesterday

Timeline: Presidency Of Egypt’s Hosni Mubarak : NPR

maybesomethingbeautiful:

Tens of thousands of anti-government protesters marched in Alexandria, Egypt’s second-largest city, on Friday.

The people have brought down the regime!

— what the protesters in Tahrir Square are chanting as they celebrate (via msnbc)

Mubarak Steps Down From Power

The military endorsed President Hosni Mubarak’s plan for a transfer of power and presidential elections later this year. The move is likely to further enrage protesters who massed outside Parliament, the presidential palace and other key symbols of the regime Friday more determined than ever to force Mubarak out. NPR’s live blog of the latest events is here.

Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak transferred his authority to his vice president while leaving his ongoing role unclear. More from NPR’s Live Coverage

Egypt’s uprising appeared to have reached a critical point Thursday as senior military leaders and government officials told protesters in Cairo, “All your demands will be met.” You can follow the latest developments at NPR’s live blog.

Lawrence Wright: Explaining Egypt’s Muslim Brotherhood

Audio for Terry’s interview with Lawrence Wright about the Church of Scientology is now up. You can also listen to the second half of the show, where Wright discussed the Muslim Brotherhood and the situation in Egypt. (Wright lived in Egypt for many years.)