When do the Eugenics Wars happen in Star Trek? (1996)
The rise of Khan Noonien Singh and other augments pushes Earth into a period of engineered tyranny and conflict.
Open countdown →Overview
The Star Trek timeline presents humanity's future as a long recovery from violence, division, and scarcity into an era of exploration and interstellar diplomacy. The earliest major turning points arrive on Earth with the Eugenics Wars and World War III, both of which leave deep political and social scars. That trajectory changes decisively on 5 April 2063, when Zefram Cochrane's warp flight draws the attention of the Vulcans and opens the way to sustained contact with other worlds. From that moment onward, Earth no longer stands alone.
In the decades that follow, Starfleet expands from a local institution into the exploratory arm of a wider alliance. The launch of Enterprise NX 01 marks humanity's first true step into deep space, and the founding of the United Federation of Planets formalises a new political order built on cooperation between Earth, Vulcan, Andoria, and Tellar. Later milestones track the careers and lifetimes of major officers, the commissioning of successive Enterprise vessels, and the beginning of famous exploratory eras under Kirk and Picard.
By the twenty fourth century, this future history includes both optimism and serious instability. Encounters with hostile powers and unknown intelligences test the Federation repeatedly, from Wolf 359 to the Dominion War and the Romulan catastrophe. Throughout all of these periods, Star Trek treats time not as a loose backdrop but as a connected historical record, where each crisis, launch, treaty, and first contact shapes the civilisation that follows.
Key Timeline Records
When does World War III happen in Star Trek? (2026)
Earth is devastated by global war, leaving hundreds of millions dead and much of the planet traumatised.
Open countdown →When does First Contact Day happen in Star Trek? (2063)
Zefram Cochrane's successful warp flight leads directly to first contact with the Vulcans.
Open countdown →When do the Star Trek: First Contact film events happen in Star Trek? (2063)
The Enterprise E crew travels to 2063 to protect the warp flight that changes human history.
Open countdown →When is Enterprise NX 01 launched in Star Trek? (2151)
Humanity's first warp 5 capable starship begins its deep space mission under Captain Archer.
Open countdown →When is the Federation founded in Star Trek? (2161)
Earth, Vulcan, Andoria, and Tellar unite to form the United Federation of Planets.
Open countdown →When is Spock born in Star Trek? (2230)
Spock is born in Shi'Kahr on Vulcan to Sarek and Amanda Grayson.
Open countdown →When is James T Kirk born in Star Trek? (2233)
James Tiberius Kirk is born in Riverside, Iowa, before becoming one of Starfleet's most famous captains.
Open countdown →When is the USS Enterprise NCC 1701 launched in Star Trek? (2245)
The Constitution class Enterprise enters service and becomes one of the most important ships in Federation history.
Open countdown →When does the five year mission begin in Star Trek? (2265)
The USS Enterprise begins its historic deep space mission under Captain Kirk.
Open countdown →When does The Motion Picture happen in Star Trek? (2273)
The refitted Enterprise responds to the V'Ger crisis as a vast unknown object approaches Earth.
Open countdown →When does the encounter with V'Ger happen in Star Trek? (2273)
Starfleet confronts a machine intelligence of extraordinary scale and unknown origin.
Open countdown →When does The Wrath of Khan happen in Star Trek? (2285)
Khan Noonien Singh seizes the Reliant and threatens to use the Genesis Device.
Open countdown →When is the USS Enterprise NCC 1701 A launched in Star Trek? (2286)
A new Enterprise is commissioned after the loss of the original ship.
Open countdown →When are the Khitomer Accords signed in Star Trek? (2293)
The Federation and the Klingon Empire formalise a major peace agreement.
Open countdown →When is Jean Luc Picard born in Star Trek? (2305)
Jean Luc Picard is born in La Barre, France, before going on to command the Enterprise D.
Open countdown →When is the USS Enterprise NCC 1701 D launched in Star Trek? (2363)
The Galaxy class Enterprise begins service under Captain Picard.
Open countdown →When does Star Trek: The Next Generation begin in Star Trek? (2364)
The Enterprise D starts a new era of exploration under Picard's command.
Open countdown →When does the Battle of Wolf 359 happen in Star Trek? (2367)
A Borg cube destroys 39 Federation starships in one of Starfleet's worst defeats.
Open countdown →When does the Dominion War begin in Star Trek? (2373)
The Federation enters its most destructive major war of the century.
Open countdown →When does the Romulan supernova happen in Star Trek? (2385)
The Mars synth attack halts the rescue effort as the Romulan crisis reshapes the quadrant.
Open countdown →When does Star Trek: Picard begin in Star Trek? (2399)
Jean Luc Picard returns from retirement as the consequences of earlier crises continue to unfold.
Open countdown →FAQ
When does Star Trek start on its timeline?
The earliest major event on this hub is the Eugenics Wars in 1996, which mark the beginning of a turbulent modern era on Earth before first contact and Federation history.
What is the most important date in Star Trek history?
First Contact Day on 5 April 2063 is the clearest turning point because it marks humanity's first confirmed meeting with the Vulcans and begins Earth's path into interstellar politics and exploration.