The X Window System is one of the oldest and most widely-deployed Open Source software packages. It has its roots in an academic environment and has been managed in turn by a university, a commercial consortium, and an open-source association. After a period of complete stagnation in 1996-2000, X development has seen a full renaissance. This presentation discusses the organizational, political, licensing, commercial, and technical issues that have contributed to the longevity of the X project and the phases of the its life-cycle.