To Boldly Go (Star Trek: The Next Generation)
The Final Frontier
In Star Trek the galaxy is divided into four equal sections, called quadrants. Earth lies in the Alpha Quadrant, near the dividing line separating the Alpha and Beta Quadrants. Since the following history is necessarily presented from the point of view of the UFP, most of the events that follow occurred in the Alpha Quadrant or in nearby regions of the Beta Quadrant.
While the galaxy is large, certainly large enough for hundreds of races to explore for thousands of years without running out of "frontier", there are other galaxies. The Federation has already made contact with the Kelvans from the Andromeda Galaxy, for instance. We should not presume that the Milky Way represents the only opportunities for adventure in the Star Trek universe, only that it represents more opportunities for adventure than a normal character could exhaust in a thousand lifetimes.
The following timeline covers all of the major events in the Alpha and Beta Quadrants. The timeline is not simply a list of things that happened; it's a guide to how the various political entities and species in the galaxy behave.
What Has Gone Before
10 Billion Years Ago: Formation of the Galaxy
Our galaxy is roughly 10 billion years old. Because Class-M planets are composed of heavy elements such as iron and nickel that can be created only in supernova explosions, life in the traditional carbon- or silicon-based sense could form only after the first stars died. Interestingly, life on the planets surrounding these second-generation stars tends to form as rapidly as possible. If the proper conditions exist, life will almost always gain a foothold and begin to evolve. One of the basic tenets of the Star Trek universe is that the galaxy teems with life!
22 Million Years Ago: The Organians Evolve into Pure Energy
After shedding their corporeal bodies, the Organians evolve into beings of tremendous power and influence. When, 22 million years later, the UFP and Klingon Empire enter into a dispute over an Organian world, the energy beings not only stop the skirmish over the planet, but force a peace treaty on both governments.
150,000 Years Ago: The Medusans Become a Spacefaring People
A noncorporeal life form, the Medusans are one of the oldest member races of the Federation and the first to develop warp technology. With bodies made of pure energy extruding into subspace itself, the Medusan mind intuitively grasps the fundamental workings of the universe, making their advancement from a primitive to an advanced civilization one of the fastest in the galaxy.
25,000 years ago: The Trill/Syrnbiont Union
The first humanoid Trill join with the sluglike symbionts, creating a symbiotic life-form greater than the sum of its parts. As result of the symbiont's extremely long life span, Trill society develops quickly, scientifically as well as culturally.
279: The Birth of Surah
Surak, the father of Vulcan philosophy, is born during a time of war and suffering on Vulcan. 33 years later, Surak banishes emotion from his thoughts, adopting a philosophy of pure logic. He and his teachings lead the Vulcan people out of their terrible cycle of war and death into a peaceful new age lasting to the present day. Virtually every living Vulcan studies Surak's teachings and follows his example.
369: The Romulan Diaspora
A core population of Vulcans rejects the philosophy of Surak, refusing to suppress their emotions. Vastly outnumbered, thousands of expatriate Vulcans board impulse vessels and follow their leader, Tellus, on an epic journey across the quadrant.
579: The Gorn Develop Warp Travel
The Gorn, a violent reptilian race, develop warp travel and begin expanding their empire. They first prove fearsome enemies, then uneasy allies, of the Federation. Their alien psychology makes diplomatic initiatives with them difficult, even after hundreds of years.
801: Birth of Kahless the Unforgettable
The first Klingon emperor, Kahless, is born. He sweeps across Qo'noS, conquering the Klingon homeworld, forming the first Klingon Empire, which lasts for 1,200 years. Kahless later represents the embodiment of Klingon virtue. Honor and courage through noble combat take root as the ultimate expressions of Klingon philosophy.
1270-1370: Romulan-Vulcan Wars
The reemergence of the wormhole that took them to Romulus allows the Romulan people to return to Vulcan in impulse ships armed ith atomic weapons. Their assault on their original homeworld ends only when the wormhole closes for the last time. Over the course of the war, Vulcan strategy and tactics prove superior to Romulan aggression.
1284: Andoria Unites under Krotus
Embarking on a planetary conquest armed only with swords and spears, the armies of Krotus the Conqueror rage across Andoria. The armies discover gunpowder over the course of the campaign, and cannons push Krotus' legions to victory. Andoria is united under a single ruler and a single language—Graalen—which is still spoken today.
1440: Vulcans Develop Warp Technology
Following 70 years of scientific discovery after the end of the Romulan-Vulcan Wars, T'vran of Vulcan develops and tests Vulcan's first warp engine. T'vran herself pilots the first manned warp-driven probes. Vulcan begins an age of exploration as warp-driven ships peacefully explore the galaxy, preferring to observe developing species rather than make contact with them.
1670: Cardassians Develop Warp Travel
A crew of Bajorans journeying in solar sail vessels makes first contact with Cardassia, and the subsequent exchange of nformation teaches the Cardassian government that not all worlds are as resource-poor as their own. Filled with a passionate esire to climb out of the desolate poverty their planet imposes on them, Cardassian technology advances at a remarkable rate. In less than sixty years, Cardassians develop chemical rockets, then impulse vessels, and finally break the warp barrier. Liberated from their oppressive existence, the Cardassian government begins an aggressive colonization campaign.
