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!
8 Billion Years Ago: Creation of the Guardian of Forever (Classified)
Various advanced dating techniques estimate the Guardian of Forever was created 8 billion years ago. First encountered by the crew of the Enterprise under the command of Captain James Kirk in 2267, the exact circumstances surrounding the Guardian's creation remain a mystery. The Guardian is sapient, describing itself as "my own beginning and my own end." Since the Guardian's purpose is to allow those who pass though it to journey instantly through time and space, it's possible the Guardian was sent into the past from a future civilization.
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.
1967: Tellarites Develop Warp Travel
Working independently, Garas of Tellar develops warp technology. Using impulse-driven ships, the Tellarites had already explored and colonized most of their solar system. While still a relatively young race, Tellarite engineering develops quickly, leading to some of the most significant technological breakthroughs of the next four centuries.
1992-1996: The Eugenics Wars on Earth
Misguided scientists breed a group of genetically engineered "supermen" on Earth. Believing their enhanced strength and intelligence grants them the right to rule, these enhanced Humans take over the governments of 40 countries. A series of terrible wars follows in which the feudal nation-states attempt to annihilate each other, pushing Earth to the brink of a new dark age. An alliance of nations, under the banner of the U.N., opposes and eventually defeats the "supermen." Khan Noonien Singh, one of the most charismatic and successful supermen—having ruled one quarter of Earth—escapes.
2041-2069: Rornulan-Klingon Wars
Romulan expansion ends as the fiercely warlike Klingons ravage the Romulan fleets patrolling Klingon borders. While Romulan technology proves in all ways superior to that of their more primitive foe, Klingon aggression carries the day. Neither species possesses true warp travel.
2053: World War III on Earth
Although most records of the events leading up to this last war on Earth have been lost, it's known that failed American presidential candidate Colonel Green leads the first wave of attacks. Having stockpiled nuclear and biological weapons, Green attempts to solve Earth's population problems by launching strikes at South America, Asia, and Africa. The wars that follow leave over 600 million people dead. War ends only after the imminent threat of widespread nuclear holocaust makes pressing the war impossible.
Phoenix Rising
This era—beginning in 2063 with first contact between Earth and Vulcan and ending in 2253 with the Axanar rebellion—represents a time of phenomenal growth and prosperity in the Alpha Quadrant. Many of the familiar Star Trek organizations and technologies develop during this period, and many species break the warp barrier, allowing for true interstellar exploration and commerce. In keeping with the abundant nature of life in Star Trek's galaxy, the first warp flights for many species coincide with first contact. Often, as soon as a race breaks the light barrier, it finds other races waiting for it. Many of these encounters end in friendship and discovery, but sometimes conflict and hardship ensue. It is an exciting time to be a citizen of the burgeoning interstellar community.
2063: First Contact between Humans and Vulcans
A second dark age of man is prevented only through the preservation of Earth's cultures in small, isolated pockets of humanity. From one of these bastions of civilization, Zefram Cochrane launches the Phoenix, mankind's first warp-capable ship. Constructed in Montana from a modified Titan V rocket, the Phoenix's warp signature alerts Vulcan exosociologist Sevak to mankind's development of warp travel, leading immediately to first contact.
2069: Death of the Last Klingon Emperor
The Klingon High Council assumes control of the government after the death of Koth, the last Klingon emperor. This second Klingon empire, led by the Chancellor of the Council, seizes power quickly, preventing a civil war.
2112: Bajorans Develop Warp Travel
Hundreds of thousands of years after the cultural height of their civilization, Bajorans develop warp travel, spanning the short distance between each species' homeworld in the Bajor Sector to make contact once again with their closest neighbors, the Cardassians.
2118: Andorians Develop Warp Travel
After several catastrophic failures over the previous 200 years, Andoria launches the Lor'Vela, its first warpcapable ship. Over the next several decades Andorian explorers reestablish contact with former outposts established during the impulse era and begin their role as leaders in the larger interstellar community.
2139: Betazoids Develop Warp Travel
The Avandar, Betazed's first warp-capable ship, breaks the light barrier. Its crew explores nearby solar systems, making first contact with their neighbors, the Terabians, four light-years away. An initial period of peace and commerce lapses into war as the nontelepathic Terabians begin to mistrust their mind-reading neighbors. Betazoids living on Terabia are jailed in internment camps, and a seven-year war erupts between the two species. The war ends after Terabia surrenders. The conflict prompts the religious Betazoids to establish their first secular government.
2149: Transporter Technology Invented
Earth's scientists invent the the first practical transporter device. Though initially rated for transporting supplies and equipment, they later perfect the technology, enhancing its ability to transport living creatures by 2151.
2151 Launch of Enterprise NX-01
Earth launches the Enterprise NX-01, a test vessel capable of traveling at the then-astounding speed of warp 5, over the objections of the Vulcan High Command. Commanded by Captain Jonathan Archer, assisted by Vulcan SubcommanderT'Pol, the Enterprise's first mission is to return a stranded Klingon courier to Qo'noS. With the stellar completion of this mission, Earth's nascent Starfleet orders Archer and his crew to continue to boldly go where no man has gone before....
2156-2160: Romulan-Earth Wars
A brief conflict between a Romulan vessel and the U.S.S. Endeavor near Cheron IV results in the retreat of the Human ship and a new understanding between the two races—war is inevitable. Romulan warships, far deadlier than their Terran counterparts, take months to cross the distance to Human space. The war that erupts swings immediately in the Romulans' favor, but as Terran ship production increases, the Romulan lack of faster-than-light technology ultimately prevents rapid response and reinforcement, costing them the war. The Cheron Treaty negotiated via radio establishes the Romulan Neutral Zone. During the war and throughout the subsequent negotiations, Humans never see a single Romulan. Romulan appearance remains a mystery for another 110 years.
2161: Founding of the UFP
Following hard on the heels of the Cheron Treaty, delegates from Andoria, Vulcan, Tellar, Earth, and Alpha Centauri draft the Articles of Federation on Epsilon Eridani. Talks break down once, but further meetings succeed in drafting a constitution acceptable to all. Its language focuses on individual rights and freedoms, granting each world the right to self-determination. Suvok of Vulcan suggests Earth assume the role of capital of the UFP. A representative government is formed, the Federation credit is established, and Starfleet receives its mandate as a multispecies defense force, while protection of the sovereignty of each world is secured by allowing each race its own space fleet. The Tellarites ratify the Articles of Federation first, with the other four races rapidly following suit.
2230: Spock of Vulcan Is born
Son of Sarek, the great diplomat, Spock becomes the first Vulcan to join Starfleet. In a distinguished career spanning over 100 years, Spock first serves as a science officer aboard the legendary Enterprise under three captains. In his later years, his duties become diplomatic rather than scientific, as he participates in the Khitomer Accords and later engineers the defection of Vice-Proconsul M'ret from Romulus to Vulcan. Toward the end of his life, Spock works diligently to establish Vulcan-Romulan relations.
2233: Jarnes Tiberius Kirk Is born
As legendary captain of the U.S.S. Enterprise, Kirk's tours of duty include some of the greatest adventures, battles, and discoveries the Federation will ever know. In later years, Kirk's tours of duty come to symbolize the spirit of the age for the Federation.
2245: U.S.S. Enterprise I70I Is Launched
The Constitution-class U.S.S. Enterprise is launched under the command of Robert April. The flagship of Starfleet, the Enterprise—in its various incarnations—is present at most of the important military and diplomatic events of the next 125 years.
2252: First Contact with the Bolians
After decades spent torn between two warring neighbors—the Uzor and the Iren—Bolarus IX makes first contact with the Federation. Bolian antigravity technology and metallurgy rivals that of the Federation, and the Bolian people prepare their first warp-drive tests. The Federation extends the offer of membership, but the three governments ruling Bolarus IX are too fractured to agree.
2252: Axanar Demands Federation Membership
The Axanari, an aggressive interstellar culture on the verge of developing warp technology, demand admittance to the Federation. The request, from an oppressive and rigidly hierarchical society, meets with division in the Federation Council. The Axanari take the ensuing debate over their admittance as rejection, quickly conquering several neighboring planets and offering them to the Federation as tribute. The Council disapproves of this action, and many member worlds threaten to secede unless something is done. The Council sends a fleet of Constitution-class ships to force the Axanari to retreat from their newly conquered worlds. The brief conflict ends with Axanari compliance, but the entire situation—specifically the passionate division in the Federation Council over Axanar's membership—proves one of the first significant challenges to the UFP's form of government.
The Cold War (Original Series Era)
Punctuated by constant skirmishes and posturing between the Federation, Romulan Star Empire, Second Klingon Empire, Gorn Empire, and Tholian Assembly among others, this period proves a time of great unease in the Alpha and Beta Quadrants. Beginning after the Axanar Rebellion and ending with the Khitomer Accords, the Cold War period marks the end of limitless expansion for the dominant races of the galaxy. While often seeming on the brink of open war, this period is exemplified by courageous individuals and a continued spirit of exploration and discovery.
2264: Kirk Takes Command of Enterprise
Captain James T. Kirk, already decorated for foiling an assassination against the leaders of the new Axanari government, takes command of the Enterprise.
2265: Axanar Admitted to the Federation
In the wake of the disastrous Axanar Rebellion, the Axanari abolish their old caste system and form a new world government. This new government, after several years spent undoing the mistakes of the past, succeeds in gaining admittance to the Federation.
2267: First Contact with the Qorn
Gorn warships destroy a Federation outpost on Cestus III. The Metrons, an advanced, apparently humanoid species, prevent a large-scale war by forcing the Gorn commander and Captain Kirk to resolve their conflict in single combat. The combat results in a cessation of hostilities between the Federation and the Gorn, although years must pass before the two races establish a treaty.
2267: Rornulan-Klingon Alliance Formed
The expanding Second Klingon Empire, preparing for conflicts with both the Romulan Star Empire and the United Federation of Planets, signs a treaty with the Romulans in order to avoid a two-front war. More a nonaggression pact than a workable alliance, both sides initially benefit from the treaty, and the Klingons prepare for war with the Federation.
2267: Khan Revived
Captain James Kirk revives Khan Noonien Singh, warlord and escaped genetic "superman", when the Enterprise encounters the S.S. Botany Bay. Khan and his followers attempt to take over the Enterprise and begin their conquest anew, but fail. Kirk strands Khan and his followers on Ceti Alpha V.
2267: Organian Peace Treaty Established
The Organians, beings of near-limitless power, impose the Organian Peace Treaty. The Klingons, now forcibly prohibited from conflict with the Humans, begin to chafe at the confines of the Romulan treaty.
2268: Polaric Test Ban Treaty Signed
Though initial evidence suggests polaric ion energy might provide clean power on a planetwide scale, research into the technology is halted when a Romulan outpost is destroyed after discovering polaric ion energy can cause widespread chain reactions in subspace. The Romulans, Federation, and other races in the Alpha and Beta Quadrants sign the Polaric Test Ban Treaty to prevent further use of polaric energy as an unstoppable, uncontrollable weapon.
2266: First Contact with the Tholians
After gathering scant pieces of data from other cultures on the enigmatic species, the Federation makes first contact with the Tholian Assembly. The Tholians prove aggressive and intractable. Their territory, perhaps as a result of the manner in which they perceive space-time, is noncontiguous, resulting in several inadvertent incursions into their space. More than 100 years pass before the Federation officially establishes diplomatic relations with the Tholians.
2268: Federation Steals Cloaking Technology (Classified)
The Federation, fearing its use as a first-strike weapon, steals cloaking technology from a Romulan battle cruiser. Research indicates that, with its current technology, the Federation cannot outfit its vessels with cloaks unless the ships are heavy cruisers specifically designed for war. The Federation Council opts not to build such vessels, instead relying on proven strategy and tactics to compensate for the advantage cloaks give their opponents.
2271: The Battle of Dumok'azen
Dumok'azen, a small, mineral-rich world on the border of the Romulan and Klingon Empires, becomes the site of a bloody battle between the two allied races. The Klingons claim glorious victory while the Romulans retreat, increase productivity of warp-capable ships, and bide their time as the Klingon Empire stretches itself thinner.
