Sep 8, 1966 CE
Star Trek Original Series Premieres
Gene Roddenberry's Star Trek debuts on NBC, introducing the USS Enterprise and its crew, setting the foundation for the franchise. #StarTrek #TV
Chronological Storyline (45 Milestones)
Nov 22, 1968 CE
First Interracial Kiss on US TV
The episode 'Plato's Stepchildren' features Captain Kirk and Lieutenant Uhura kissing, a landmark for television history. #StarTrek #TVhistory
Jun 3, 1969 CE
Original Series Cancelled
After three seasons, NBC cancels Star Trek, but syndication leads to a growing fan base. #StarTrek #Cancellation
Jan 21, 1972 CE
First Star Trek Fan Convention
Fans organize the first official Star Trek convention in New York, demonstrating the franchise's enduring popularity. #StarTrek #Fandom
Sep 17, 1976 CE
NASA Names Shuttle Enterprise
After a fan campaign, NASA names its first space shuttle Enterprise, after the Starship Enterprise. #StarTrek #Space
By NASA - This image or video was catalogued by Neil A. Armstrong Flight Research Center of the United States National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) under Photo ID: ECN-8611., Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=238674
May 25, 1977 CE
Star Wars Success Sparks Star Trek Film
The success of Star Wars motivates Paramount to revive Star Trek as a feature film, abandoning plans for a TV series revival. #StarTrek #Film
Jul 1, 1978 CE
Pre-Production for The Motion Picture
Director Robert Wise is hired, and the cast reprises their roles. Jerry Goldsmith begins composing the score. #StarTrek #FilmProduction
Dec 7, 1979 CE
Star Trek: The Motion Picture Released
The first Star Trek feature film debuts, featuring the original crew facing a mysterious alien entity. It grosses over $139 million worldwide. #StarTrek #Film
1979 CE
The Motion Picture's Visual Effects
Industrial Light & Magic creates groundbreaking effects for The Motion Picture, including the first computer-generated imagery in Star Trek. #StarTrek #VFX
Feb 1, 1980 CE
Harve Bennett Hired for Sequel
Producer Harve Bennett is brought in to write and produce a lower-budget sequel, leading to a more character-driven story. #StarTrek #FilmProduction
Nov 4, 1981 CE
Khan Returns in Wrath of Khan
Ricardo Montalban reprises his role as Khan Noonien Singh from the original series episode 'Space Seed', becoming a iconic villain. #StarTrek #Villain
Jun 4, 1982 CE
Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan Released
The sequel becomes a critical and commercial success, revitalizing the franchise with themes of aging and sacrifice. #StarTrek #Film
1982 CE
Genesis Device Debuts in Wrath of Khan
The Genesis Device, a terraforming weapon, introduces a major plot point and ethical debate in Star Trek II. #StarTrek #Science
Apr 1, 1983 CE
Leonard Nimoy Directs Star Trek III
Leonard Nimoy becomes the first actor from the series to direct a Star Trek film, directing Star Trek III: The Search for Spock. #StarTrek #Directing
Jun 1, 1984 CE
Star Trek III: The Search for Spock Released
The film focuses on the crew's mission to resurrect Spock, and introduces the Klingon Bird-of-Prey for the first time. #StarTrek #Film
1984 CE
Star Trek III Introduces Klingon Bird-of-Prey
The iconic Klingon Bird-of-Prey ship is first seen in Star Trek III: The Search for Spock, becoming a staple of the franchise. #StarTrek #Ships
Dec 1, 1985 CE
Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home Production
Production begins on the fourth film, with a lighter tone and environmental message, featuring time travel to 1980s San Francisco. #StarTrek #FilmProduction
1985 CE
Leonard Nimoy's Negotiation for Star Trek IV
Leonard Nimoy agrees to return as Spock and direct Star Trek IV only if he gets to direct the film, securing the film's success. #StarTrek #Negotiation
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Nov 26, 1986 CE
Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home Released
The film becomes the highest-grossing Star Trek film to that point, praised for its humor and social commentary. #StarTrek #Film
1986 CE
Star Trek IV: Time Travel Plot
The Voyage Home uses time travel to bring the crew to 1980s Earth, a technique later used in other Trek stories. #StarTrek #TimeTravel
Sep 28, 1987 CE
Star Trek: The Next Generation Premieres
A new TV series set 100 years after the original debuts, expanding the franchise and maintaining interest between films. #StarTrek #TV
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May 1, 1988 CE
William Shatner to Direct Star Trek V
William Shatner is given the opportunity to direct Star Trek V: The Final Frontier, with a story about a search for God. #StarTrek #Directing
Jun 9, 1989 CE
Star Trek V: The Final Frontier Released
The film receives negative reviews and underperforms at the box office, but later gains a cult following. #StarTrek #Film
1989 CE
David Gerrold's Unproduced Film Pitch
Writer David Gerrold pitches a Star Trek film called 'The Children of God' that is never made, but influences future stories. #StarTrek #FilmDevelopment
By Gage Skidmore - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=173509429
Mar 1, 1990 CE
Development of Star Trek VI Begins
Paramount plans a sixth film as a sendoff for the original cast, with a story mirroring the end of the Cold War. #StarTrek #FilmProduction
Oct 24, 1991 CE
Gene Roddenberry Dies
The creator of Star Trek passes away, leaving a legacy that continues to influence the franchise. #StarTrek #Legacy
By NASA - Crop of File:Space shuttle enterprise star trek-cropcast.jpg, Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=42553988
Dec 6, 1991 CE
Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country Released
The final film with the original cast is praised as a fitting conclusion, winning an Oscar for Best Makeup. #StarTrek #Film
1991 CE
Oscar Win for Makeup in Star Trek VI
Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country wins the Academy Award for Best Makeup, recognizing the franchise's innovative effects. #StarTrek #Oscars
1991 CE
Star Trek VI: Political Allegory
The Undiscovered Country intentionally mirrors the end of the Cold War, with Klingons representing the Soviet Union. #StarTrek #Politics
Nov 18, 1994 CE
Star Trek Generations Released
The first film to feature the cast of The Next Generation, with a crossover that results in the death of Captain Kirk. #StarTrek #Film
Nov 1, 1994 CE
Kirk's Death in Generations
Captain Kirk dies in Star Trek Generations, a controversial moment that ends an era for the franchise. #StarTrek #Death
Nov 22, 1996 CE
Star Trek: First Contact Released
The TNG crew battles the Borg and travels to the 21st century, becoming one of the most acclaimed Star Trek films. #StarTrek #Film
Dec 11, 1998 CE
Star Trek: Insurrection Released
A philosophical film about the Prime Directive and immortality, receiving mixed but moderate success. #StarTrek #Film
Dec 13, 2002 CE
Star Trek: Nemesis Released
The tenth Star Trek film and last of the TNG era, featuring a clone of Picard. It underperforms, leading to a hiatus. #StarTrek #Film
May 13, 2005 CE
Star Trek: Enterprise Ends
The prequel series ends after four seasons, and the franchise goes on a hiatus from television until 2017. #StarTrek #TV
Feb 28, 2007 CE
J.J. Abrams Signs On for Reboot
Paramount hires J.J. Abrams to produce and direct a Star Trek reboot, creating an alternate timeline to reimagine the original series. #StarTrek #Reboot )
Jan 1, 2008 CE
Casting for Reboot Announced
Chris Pine, Zachary Quinto, and other actors are cast as younger versions of Kirk, Spock, and the crew, generating excitement. #StarTrek #Casting )
May 8, 2009 CE
Star Trek Reboot Released
The film is a critical and commercial success, reviving the franchise with a modern take and new cast. #StarTrek #Film )
Nov 17, 2009 CE
Star Trek Reboot Wins Best Makeup Oscar
The 2009 Star Trek film wins an Academy Award for Best Makeup, honoring its modern take on classic alien designs. #StarTrek #Oscars )
May 16, 2013 CE
Star Trek Into Darkness Released
The sequel features Benedict Cumberbatch as a mysterious villain, later revealed as Khan, drawing controversy but strong box office. #StarTrek #Film
Jul 22, 2016 CE
Star Trek Beyond Released
The third reboot film celebrates the 50th anniversary of Star Trek, focusing on camaraderie and exploration. #StarTrek #Film
Sep 8, 2016 CE
50th Anniversary of Star Trek
The franchise celebrates its 50th anniversary with multiple events and the release of Star Trek Beyond. #StarTrek #Anniversary
Sep 24, 2017 CE
Star Trek: Discovery Premieres
A new TV series set in the Prime timeline before the original series, using a new serialized format and diverse cast. #StarTrek #TV
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Jan 23, 2020 CE
Star Trek: Picard Premieres
Patrick Stewart returns as Jean-Luc Picard in a series set after the TNG films, exploring his later life. #StarTrek #TV
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May 5, 2022 CE
Star Trek: Strange New Worlds Premieres
A prequel series focusing on Captain Pike and the Enterprise crew before Kirk, reviving the episodic format. #StarTrek #TV