Steve Jobs, the co-founder of Apple, has died.

His death comes the same day as a fan group declared Oct. 14 "Steve Jobs Day" in honour of Apple's CEO.

Jobs was 56.

Apple's board of directors issued a statement Wednesday night which read:
"We are deeply saddened to announce that Steve Jobs passed away today (Wednesday).

"Steve's brilliance, passion and energy were the source of countless innovations that enrich and improve all of our lives. The world is immeasurably better because of Steve," the statement read. "His greatest love was for his wife, Laurene, and his family. Our hearts go out to them
and to all who were touched by his extraordinary gifts."

Apple honoured Jobs by turning the company's homepage into a tribute to the master innovator. The homepage was a full photograph of Jobs with the caption:

"Steve Jobs 1955-2011."

The web page apple.com/stevejobs reads: "Apple has lost a visionary and creative genius, and the world has lost an amazing human being. Those of us who have been fortunate enough to know and work with Steve have lost a dear friend and an inspiring mentor. Steve leaves behind a company that only he could have built, and his spirit will forever be the foundation of Apple."

Jobs, who had been battling cancer for years, co-founded Apple in 1976 with his childhood friend Steve Wozniak in his parent's garage.

He struggled with pancreatic cancer in 2004, and five years later had a liver transplant.

But his failing health forced him to step down as Apple's chief executive on Aug. 24.

The idea of a Steve Jobs Day originated with the digital marketing firm Studiocom, which is asking people to dress like Jobs - a black turtleneck - and to initiate as much cyber chatter as possible about the technological mastermind.