Microsoft Confirms March 14 Release Date for IE9

Following a ton of rumors and speculation, Microsoft has finally confirmed the official launch date for the next version of Internet Explorer, IE9.

Last week there were rumors that Microsoft would release the final version of Internet Explorer 9 at the SXSW conference next Monday. When word got out that Microsoft had it's own SXSW IE party scheduled for March 14, people seemed even more sure of the date. Though the official theme of the party was "Celebrate the Beauty of the Web," it looks like Microsoft was actually hinting at something much more significant.

In a blog post published on the official IE blog, Microsoft's Ryan Gavin, Senior Director for Internet Explorer Business and Marketing, revealed that they would indeed be shipping IE9 on Monday, March 14.

"Monday March 14th we will celebrate the developers and designers who are making a more beautiful web for all of us," he wrote.

"We will release the final version of Internet Explorer 9 for download beginning at 9 p.m. Pacific."

Five days to go!