The earliest known record of Solitaire (also called Patience) dates back to 1788 in a German game anthology. The game was originally called "Patiencespiel" and was likely played with tarot cards before standard playing cards became common.
The game gained massive popularity in France during the early 1800s. Napoleon Bonaparte was said to be an avid player during his exile on Saint Helena. The French name "Patience" reflects the quality needed to play the game.
The most popular variant — Klondike Solitaire — is named after the Klondike Gold Rush in Canada. Prospectors played the game to pass time during the long winters. This variant became the standard "Solitaire" most people know today.
Microsoft included Solitaire in Windows 3.0 (1990) to teach users how to use a mouse. It became one of the most-played computer games in history, with over 400 million people having played it on Windows alone.
Today, Solitaire remains one of the world's most popular card games. Online versions attract millions of daily players. With approximately 80% of deals being theoretically winnable, the game continues to challenge and entertain players worldwide.