LCARS: Federation Historical Database
Accessing Federation temporal archives... This comprehensive timeline maps the chronological history of the Star Trek universe, spanning from First Contact Day in 2063 to the far future of the 32nd century. Below you'll find key eras, major historical events, and the placement of each Star Trek series within the timeline.
Pre-Federation Era
2063-2161
From first contact with Vulcans to the founding of the United Federation of Planets
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First Contact Day
2063Zefram Cochrane's historic first warp flight in the Phoenix from Bozeman, Montana, attracts the attention of the Vulcan survey ship T'Plana-Hath. This momentous event marks humanity's first contact with an alien species and sets the stage for Earth's future among the stars.
Launch of Enterprise NX-01
2151Under the command of Captain Jonathan Archer, Earth's first warp 5 capable starship embarks on its pioneering mission of deep-space exploration. The NX-01 represents humanity's boldest step into interstellar diplomacy and discovery.
Earth-Romulan War begins
2156A devastating conflict lasting until 2160, culminating in the Battle of Cheron and leading to the founding of the Federation.
Federation Founding
2161Earth, Vulcan, Andoria, and Tellar sign the Federation Charter in San Francisco, creating the United Federation of Planets. This historic alliance establishes the principles of peaceful cooperation and mutual defence that will define the Federation for centuries to come.
Early Federation
2161-2233
The formative years of the Federation and Starfleet
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NX-01 Enterprise decommissioned
2161The NX-01 is decommissioned after completing its pioneering mission of deep-space exploration. The historic vessel, which established humanity as a legitimate interstellar power and paved the way for the Federation's founding, is preserved as a monument to this achievement.
Birth of Spock
2230Spock, son of Vulcan Ambassador Sarek and human scientist Amanda Grayson, is born on Stardate 2230.061 (January 6, 2230) on Vulcan. His birth represents a historic union between two species and foreshadows his future role as one of Starfleet's most decorated officers and a bridge between human and Vulcan cultures.
USS Kelvin Incident
2233The USS Kelvin encounters Nero's Narada, a Romulan mining vessel from the future. Captain Kelvin is killed and the encounter results in the creation of the alternate 'Kelvin Timeline' when Nero travels back in time.
Constitution-Class Era
2233-2293
The golden age of exploration led by Constitution-class starships
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Captain Pike commands Enterprise
2254The USS Enterprise NCC-1701 explores the galaxy under Captain Christopher Pike, embarking on missions that would later be chronicled in Star Trek: Strange New Worlds. Pike's leadership establishes the Enterprise's legacy of bold exploration and diplomatic excellence.
Attack on Krall's Base
2263The crew of the USS Enterprise confronts Krall on Altamid in the events of Star Trek Beyond (2016). The battle reveals Krall's true identity as the former captain of the USS Franklin and his plan to destroy the Federation using a bioweapon.
Attack on Yorktown
2263Krall launches a devastating assault on Starbase Yorktown, a massive diplomatic hub and engineering marvel. The attack is ultimately thwarted by the Enterprise crew, preventing catastrophic loss of life and preserving one of the Federation's most important outposts.
Kirk's Five-Year Mission begins
2265Captain James T. Kirk takes command of the Enterprise for its historic five-year mission of exploration, as chronicled in Star Trek: The Original Series. The mission's mandate to 'explore strange new worlds' becomes the defining example of Starfleet's commitment to peaceful exploration.
Battle of the Mutara Nebula
2285The USS Enterprise confronts Khan Noonien Singh and the USS Reliant in the Mutara Nebula. Spock sacrifices himself to save the Enterprise, famously stating 'The needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few.' This event is chronicled in Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan.
Khitomer Accords
2293Following the catastrophic explosion of the Klingon moon Praxis and the assassination of Chancellor Gorkon, historic peace negotiations culminate in a treaty between the Federation and the Klingon Empire. The Khitomer Accords end decades of hostility and establish a foundation for future alliance.
Mid Federation Era
2293-2364
A period of relative peace and continued expansion
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Tomed Incident
2311A confrontation with the Romulans leads to the Treaty of Algeron, which forbids the Federation from developing cloaking technology. The treaty also initiates 53 years of Romulan isolation from galactic affairs, during which the Romulan Star Empire becomes increasingly enigmatic and secretive.
USS Enterprise-C destruction
2344The Enterprise-C, commanded by Captain Rachel Garrett, is destroyed whilst defending the Klingon outpost at Narendra III from a Romulan attack. This selfless act of sacrifice significantly strengthens the Federation-Klingon alliance and demonstrates the Federation's commitment to honour and mutual defence.
Battle of Maxia
2355Captain Jean-Luc Picard, commanding the USS Stargazer, employs the innovative 'Picard Manoeuvre' during his first encounter with a Ferengi vessel. The unexpected confrontation nearly destroys the Stargazer and shapes Picard's tactical approach for years to come.
Galaxy-Class Era
2363-2371
The era of Galaxy-class starships and renewed exploration, ending with the Enterprise-D's destruction
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Enterprise-D launched
2363The new flagship of the Federation is launched on Stardate 40759.5 (October 5, 2363) from Mars under the command of Captain Jean-Luc Picard. The Galaxy-class vessel represents the pinnacle of Starfleet engineering and begins its eight-year mission of exploration and diplomacy.
Battle of Wolf 359
2367The Federation suffers a devastating defeat against the Borg cube, resulting in the loss of 39 starships and over 11,000 lives. The battle occurs after Captain Picard's assimilation as Locutus of Borg, and represents one of the darkest moments in Federation history.
Discovery of the Bajoran Wormhole
2369Commander Benjamin Sisko and Lieutenant Jadzia Dax discover a stable wormhole to the Gamma Quadrant near Bajor. This discovery transforms the region's strategic importance and establishes Deep Space Nine as a critical Federation outpost guarding the gateway to unexplored space.
Attack on Bryma
2370An unsuccessful Maquis attempt to destroy a Cardassian weapons depot at Bryma Colony. Led by former Starfleet officer Calvin Hudson, the attack is thwarted by Commander Benjamin Sisko, preventing a full-scale Federation-Cardassian war and highlighting the growing tensions in the Demilitarised Zone.
USS Voyager lost in Delta Quadrant
2371Under the command of Captain Kathryn Janeway, Voyager is pulled 70,000 light-years from Federation space by the Caretaker, stranding its crew in the Delta Quadrant. The ship begins a projected 75-year journey home, facing unprecedented challenges and discoveries.
Enterprise-D destroyed
2371The USS Enterprise-D is destroyed over Veridian III during a confrontation with the Duras sisters. The saucer section crash-lands on the planet, marking the end of the ship's eight-year mission.
Dominion War Era
2373-2375
The bloodiest conflict in Federation history
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Dominion War begins
2373The Federation enters a devastating conflict with the Dominion after the mining of the Bajoran wormhole entrance. The war results in over 800 million Cardassian casualties and massive Federation, Klingon, and Romulan losses, reshaping the political landscape of the Alpha and Beta Quadrants.
Dominion War ends
2375The Alliance defeats the Dominion with the signing of the Treaty of Bajor. The war ends as the bloodiest conflict in Federation history, leaving lasting scars on all involved civilisations and fundamentally altering interstellar relations.
Post-Nemesis Era
2380-2401
The aftermath of the Dominion War, Shinzon Incident, and relations with the Romulan Empire
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Shinzon Incident
2379A Reman uprising led by Shinzon, a clone of Captain Jean-Luc Picard created by the Romulan Star Empire, results in the destruction of much of Romulus's fleet and significant diplomatic upheaval in the quadrant. The incident, chronicled in Star Trek: Nemesis, marks a critical turning point in Federation-Romulan relations.
Romulan Supernova
2387The Hobus star goes supernova, destroying the planet Romulus and killing millions. Ambassador Spock's attempt to stop the supernova fails, and he and the Romulan mining ship Narada are sent back in time to 2233, creating the alternate 'Kelvin Timeline.'
Picard leaves retirement
2399Admiral Jean-Luc Picard, drawn from retirement by a distress call involving former android officer Data, embarks on a mission to help Romulan refugees and confront his past. The events, chronicled in Star Trek: Picard, reveal hidden threats to the Federation and lead to the discovery of a new generation of synthetic lifeforms.
Reunion of Enterprise-D crew
2401The surviving officers of the USS Enterprise-D reunite to face a new existential threat to the Federation and the galaxy. This reunion, chronicled in Star Trek: Picard Season 3, brings together Picard, Riker, Data, Worf, and other legacy characters for one final mission that determines the fate of the Federation.
32nd Century
3188-3190
Far future era after 'The Burn' devastated the Federation
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The Burn
3069A mysterious catastrophic event known as 'The Burn' causes dilithium across the galaxy to become inert, resulting in the simultaneous detonation of billions of warp-capable starships. The event devastates galactic civilisation, destroys the Federation, and plunges the galaxy into darkness for over a century.
USS Discovery arrives
3188The USS Discovery, fleeing the 23rd century to escape the rogue AI Control, arrives in the 32nd century via time travel. The crew discovers a galaxy devastated by The Burn and begins a mission to restore hope, rebuild the Federation, and uncover the truth about the catastrophic event that changed everything.
Federation Restoration begins
3189Following the Discovery's arrival, efforts begin to reconnect the scattered remnants of the Federation across the galaxy. The restoration mission faces unprecedented challenges, including hostile species, technological limitations, and the ongoing mystery of The Burn's origin. These efforts mark the beginning of a new era of hope and rebuilding.