Its April 5th, and you know what that means, Star Trek fans… it’s First Contact Day! In Trek lore, this date in 2063 marks the first time that humanity reached out to the other races of the galaxy and they reached back. Pioneer Zephram Cochrane invented the warp drive and piloted his experimental craft into the stars, something which attracted the attention of a passing Vulcan vessel, who came to meet him on Earth. The subsequent handshake between Cochrane and his alien acquaintance was a monumental event in human history.
In honor of the occasion, Star Trek lovers have been pouring onto social media to commemorate the big day. Including a bit of cosplay to brighten up the quarantine.
https://twitter.com/tobyjamez/status/1246749335032905728?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
It remains a powerful story for fans.
Today is April 5th, which means it's #FirstContactDay!
The day in Star Trek mythology that humanity, at its lowest point (and a time-displaced Picard at his most bitterly disillusioned) took the silly risk of being optimistic, and everything changed.
It gives me feelings. pic.twitter.com/DHXimg9ou6
— Anthony Oliveira (@meakoopa) April 5, 2020
On this day… in 43 years’ time.
#OTD in 2063, the first contact between Humans and Vulcans 🖖🏻 will happen in in Bozeman, Montana after the first warp flight of Zefram Cochrane and the Phoenix. #FirstContactDay pic.twitter.com/S62ZnyU3wT
— Dr. Manuela Rossol 👩🔬🔬🔭 (@astromonocyte) April 5, 2020
Unfortunately, some aren’t as optimistic about First Contact Day coming true in our timeline.
Just 43 years to go until #FirstContactDay. Looks like we're on schedule to have ruined civilization by then, lol. pic.twitter.com/10ww7xx92h
— Non-Ironically T.V.'s B. Dave Walters (@BDaveWalters) April 5, 2020
But the future sure is getting closer!
https://twitter.com/trekfan4747/status/1246803732769263624?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
Hey, why not start planning for what you’re going to do on First Contact Day in 2063?
Happy First Contact Day! I wonder how many Trekkies are planning to make the pilgrimage to Bozeman in 43 years. If I'm still alive and in good health at 77, I will definitely be going! pic.twitter.com/GgYJiLtVna
— Thad (@Tyranicus) April 5, 2020
He said it! He said it!
Happy #FirstContactDay pic.twitter.com/Hy4h8TnZV9
— Star Trek Minus Context (@NoContextTrek) April 5, 2020
In 43 years, it might be First Contact Day. But here in 2020, it’s No Contact Day.
Instead of First Contact Day, we get this
#StarTrek #FirstContactDay pic.twitter.com/NGjUYpYggP
— Captain Edward Jellico (@STDeltaShift) April 5, 2020
First Contact Day was introduced in 1996’s Star Trek: First Contact, which saw Picard and the Enterprise-E crew being thrown back 300 years into the past where they must prevent the Borg from averting Cochrane’s encounter with the Vulcans in a bid to stop Starfleet from ever being formed. Thankfully, the evil plot was foiled and the timeline was kept on track. Enterprise later explored how Starfleet was built off the back of the First Contact event, with Archer’s adventures culminating in the formation of the United Federation of Planets.
Why not celebrate First Contact Day by watching some Star Trek on CBS All Access? Remember, Sir Patrick Stewart recently shared an offer to subscribe for free for the first 30 days.