Star Trek Day

Star Trek Day History

Star Trek Day is an annual observance that celebrates the enduring legacy and impact of the long-running science fiction franchise. Originating in the United States, the day has grown in popularity and now has a global following. The event serves as an opportunity for fans to come together and share their love for the iconic series, its characters, and the visionary concepts it's introduced over the years.

The Star Trek franchise, created by Gene Roddenberry in 1966, has a special connection with fans in the United Kingdom. Many British actors have made an impact throughout the series, including Sir Patrick Stewart, who played the iconic role of Captain Jean-Luc Picard in Star Trek: The Next Generation. With a shared affinity for science fiction and a long history of British involvement in the franchise, Star Trek Day has become an exciting and meaningful celebration for fans in the UK.

As part of the celebrations, fans in the United Kingdom often come together for themed events, gatherings, and screenings of popular episodes or films. Recognising the universality of the franchise's ideals, Star Trek Day encourages fans from different backgrounds to join conversations and explore the optimistic representations of the future it offers. Star Trek Day is observed annually on September 8th, the same day as the United States, commemorating the initial airing of the first episode of the original series in 1966.

Star Trek Day facts

• The famous Vulcan salute, a hand gesture with the palm forward and the thumb extended, while the fingers are parted between the middle and ring finger is a symbol of the franchise and was first seen in Star Trek: The Original Series.
• The handheld communication devices used in the original series were actually an inspiration for the development of the real-world cell phone by Martin Cooper, an engineer at Motorola.
• To save money, Star Trek often reused sets, costumes, and props from other series. For example, the sick bay in The Next Generation was a redress of the Battle Bridge set.
• In 2020, Royal Mail issued a set of 12 stamps to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Star Trek's UK premiere and to pay tribute to the characters and the story's legacy.
• The first-ever Star Trek convention held outside North America took place in Leicester, England in 1974, drawing fans from around Europe.

In the News and Trending in the UK for Star Trek Day

Top things to do in the UK for Star Trek Day

• Take a trip to The Royal Observatory Greenwich. Visit the Prime Meridian and see the actual filming locations from Star Trek: Discovery.
• Visit real-life filming locations from Star Trek films and TV series like HMS Belfast, Canary Wharf, or Chatham Historic Dockyard.