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The Last Mandalorian
date posted: Apr 17, 2006 6:26 AM  |  updated: Apr 18, 2006 5:52 PM
Ten Days That Unexpectedly Changed Star Wars: Part 1
Welcome to this blog based on History Channels' new program, Ten Days That Unexpectedly Changed America but this one is for Star Wars.

Let me explain: I chose ten dates from the Star Wars Timeline that I believe changed the Star Wars Galaxy the most.

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Circa 25,000 BBY-The Republic Is Born: In a time of galactic turmoil, the Hyperdrive is discovered by the Corellians which allowed ships to travel to their destination in hours or days instead of months or years. During this time, the Unification Wars were fought which gained the soon to be Republic a massive amount of territory. After the war, the Galactic Constitution was signed and soon after the Republic and Jedi Order were founded. The Republic would remain at least partially intact for almost 25,000 more years and throughout that time the valiant Jedi Knights preserved the peace of this venerable Republic.

Circa 9,900 BBY-The Jedi Lightsaber: The lightsaber originally began as a weapon used by the Tython Jedi in a process where they channeled Force energy into a metal blade. But in the wake of a more advanced danger, they used offworld technology to "freeze" a laser beam, resulting in what would eventually be known as a lightsaber. The lightsaber would remain a ceremonial weapon of choice for all Jedi Knights in the Galaxy. This weapon also gave the Jedi a distinct advantage over blaster-wielding opponents. The lightsaber has remained a key asset to the Jedi for over 10,000 years.

Circa 1,000 BBY-The Battle of Ruusan: This would prove to be the final conflict in a war that was later known as the New Sith Wars. The Brotherhood of Darkness was the Sith's main army against the Republic and Lord Hoth's Army of Light. In the seventh battle of Ruusan, Lord Kaan of the Sith released a thought bomb that killed every last being in the battle. The Sith were destroyed and the Republic created the Ruusan Reformation, which changed the date on the battle to the year 0 on all galactic calendars. But Darth Bane survived the catastrophe and created the pivotal Rule of Two, which dictated that their could be only one Master and one Learner at a time, no more, no less. His rule ensured Sith secrecy for nearly 1,000 years and it allowed the Sith to control the galaxy after decades of planning.

22 BBY-The Battle of Geonosis: This battle was but the opening salvo of the first war in 1,000 years to encompass the entire galaxy. The battle begun when Jedi Knights Obi-Wan Kenobi and Anakin Skywalker were captured along with Senator Amidala and sentenced to death on Geonosis. But Mace Windu arrived on the scene with more than 200 Jedi Knights and Padawans. A droid army then rushed out to meet the Jedi in battle and nearly all 200 Jedi were killed. But Master Yoda brought in the Clone Army and the battle truly began. Even though the Jedi had won, they had suffered major casualties as a result and by the end of the war their numbers would make them a shadow of their former self. This is also part of the Sith's plan to dominate the galaxy and rid it of the Jedi forever.

19 BBY-Order 66: This gruesome order marked the end of the Clone Wars and the beginning of the Great Jedi Purge. It began as Emperor Palpatine gave the order to various Clone Commanders to execute their Jedi Generals. Throughout the galaxy, Jedi after Jedi was slain by the men they had been fighting with for years. During this time, Supreme Chancellor Palpatine overthrew the Republic and created the malignant Empire with him as the Emperor. Where there was tens of thousands of Jedi Knights roaming the galaxy, their was now less the a hundred. As the Empire took shape and the Jedi fled to unknown parts, this proved to be the beginning of the Dark Times.

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Well that's it for now and be sure to look out for Part 2 later on in the week.