The FreeDOS Beta 6 "Midnite" distribution was released 30 March 2001.
Codename
Jim says the FreeDOS Beta 6 was released shortly after his beloved cat Midnight died. From Jim: "I would have changed the name slightly so I didn't get sad every time I looked at the codename. (Will look into it.)"
History
This Wayback snapshot says "The Beta6 ("Midnite") Distribution of FreeDOS was first posted on Friday, March 30, 2001!" Assume that is correct date; any earlier dates on install instructions or release notes are because I would have written them beforehand.
Release notes
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