About GNU/Linux history of Debian

Do you know what Linux is?
Linux is a kernel. The kernel is the heart of an Operating System. Kernel mediates hardware and applications.

Linux kernel developed by Linus Torvalds with the inspiration of the model minix (Prof. Tannenbaum). Once released to the public on September 17, 1991, with the help of developers, hackers, and hobiist, Linux experience a very rapid development.

Coincidence again, Richard Stallman, creator and founder of Emacs Free Software Foundation (FSF) and the initiator of the GNU / GPL requires open nature of the kernel to run programs that made her foundation.

Be a combination of Linux, a kernel and its supporting applications (by GNU.org / FSF) into a distribution. I tend to call it as GNU / Linux.

The nature of GNU / Linux
Linux, Linus humility, today licensed GNU / GPL or often called copyleft.
GPL guarantees freedom for developers and users to, but use it freely, can also modify and redistribution of them without reservation.

If a licensed Linux GNU / GPL, whether his application package is also GNU / GPL?

While Linux and all applications by GNU.org can we say 100% free, but today, distributors of GNU / Linux includes many trial applications, non-free, and licensed closed for ease and its commercial value.

Typically, large distros like Redhat, Mandriva, Linspire, Xandros, and others are not too tight menerpakan GNU / GPL. So be careful selecting distributions.

What distro are dong 100% GNU / GPL?

You can try Ubuntu or Debian. Or the other distros on the condition that applications ignore the request you agree to the license agreement.

Just a note,

To this day Debian and (partial) derivatives are still holding fast to the principles of the GNU / GPL in the distribution.