image:7954:1::0

Mozilla initially tried to hit the 5-million download mark for its new browser version, Firefox 3, but it was downloaded a record 8,002,530 times on June 17.

Mozilla announced this news as follows:

The Firefox community is the proud new owner of a Guinness World Record — each and every one of you! Mozilla today received confirmation from Guinness World Records that we've officially achieved the record for the "largest number of software downloads in 24 hours." From 18:16 UTC on June 17, 2008 to 18:16 UTC on June 18, 2008, 8,002,530 people downloaded Firefox 3!

Computerworld.com reports that Firefox has reached a 19 per cent share of the internet browser market in June, mostly thanks to this record download of Firefox 3. Internet Explorer still leads by a record 73 per cent mostly due to the fact Microsoft pre-installs its IE browser in operating systems like XP or Vista. Safari and Opera also saw increased market share in June, as Safari has 6.3 per cent and Opera has 0.7 per cent of the browser market.

If you downloaded Firefox 3 on June, you can get a personalized certificate like the one below:

Mozilla.com Firefox Guinness World Record Certificate image:41366:1::0

So far, Firefox 3 is working great for me and most of the extensions like FoxClocks, Del.ici.ous, Google Toolbar, Stumble, IE Tab, Remember the Milk, PicLens and HyperWords all work with the new browser.

If you haven’t downloaded it, you can download it at this link and get a better, safer and smarter browsing experience.