After the fall of the empire, many archives were opened, and hidden information came to the attention of scholars across the galaxy. It was discovered that, over the course of only a few decades, the Imperial propaganda machinery had done a thorough and astonishing job of rewirting the past, casting events in an uncertain light, and portraying history from a warped point of view.

Teams of learned historians have spent years sifting through files found in the Imperial Information Center. Students of Jedi lore and history have studied the few extant Jedi Holocrons(repositories of Jedi knowledge), while others have compiled and compared folktales, legends, and songs to weave the tapestry of "a thousand generations" of Jedi Knights.

Because we are living in tumultuous times, we have also taken care to speak with many of the primary players themselves, living legends who were at the core of significant events. We are at a crux point in history, and while the actual person ages remain with us, we have recorded their statements, remembrances, and opinions. We intend to leave a thorough and objective chronicle for the future.

This document is most assuredly a work in progress, leaving many gaps and sketchy descriptions as scholars continue to discover new and compelling data. Such a work-by its very nature-can never really be finished. Nonetheless, the chief of state and the New Republic Senate have issued instructions to publish this draft of The Essential Chronology as it stands, secure in the knowledge that further expanded editions will be forthcoming.

Citizens of the New Republic must know their foundation in history. We have a rich and glorious tradition behind us, as well as a legacy of dark mistakes. We must learn from both.
-New Republic Historical Council

Note On Dating Conventions

We have chosen to mark the years in this document with the emerging dating standard, one that establishes the true significant of the Empire's decline and the Rebellion's unstoppable triumph. We have taken as our calendar "zero point" the date of the Battle of Yavin, the destruction of the first Death Star, and the first overwhelming victory of the Rebel Alliance. We see this as the primary beginning of our time and the way of life. Thus, events that precede the historic Battle of Yavin are indicated B.B.Y., while those occurring after are A.B.Y. Future generations will recognize these years as the genesis of golden age for the galaxy.