Perl facts according to perl.org:

• Perl is a stable, cross platform programming language.
• It is used for mission critical projects in the public and private sectors.
• Perl is Open Source software, licensed under its Artistic License, or the GNU General Public License (GPL).
• Perl was created by Larry Wall.
• Perl 1.0 was released to usenet’s alt.comp.sources in 1987
• PC Magazine named Perl a finalist for its 1998 Technical Excellence Award in the Development Tool category.
• Perl is listed in the Oxford English Dictionary.