1988, April [reference stardate -1/8804]
Forty years after the Kobek detonation, that poisoned world finally
breaks up from the tidal stresses of its new orbit [FASA].

The Mars Sample Return Probe is launched. It will retrieve soil and rocks
for analysis back on Earth when it returns in 1991 [SFC].

Construction begins on the S.S. "Savannah" (DY-100) series, Earth's first
interplanetary sleeper vessel. This collaborative development between the
U.S. and U.S.S.R. marks the beginning toward eventual world-wide peace
[DYC].

The "John F. Kennedy" lands at Moon Base One. The data brought back by
the Martian expedition prompts the decision of scientists to attempt to
build a permanent colony on Mars [TBoT #2].

In the "Mirror" universe: Congress establishes the United States Depart-
ment of Controlled Evolution. Unofficially under military supervision,
this department's chief aim is to use certain methods of genetic control
in an effort to speed up the evolutionary process, thus producing--it is
assumed--Human perfection. Despite the danger to Earth's entire gene
pool, public opinion appears to be in favor of such organic manipulation
[TBoT #14].

1989
Eddie Raymond is born in Secaucus, New Jersey, on Earth [TNG 126].

In the 2370s, Captain Sisko will replicate an official baseball of the
World Series of this year. It will possibly be the same ball kept on
his desk during his command of DS9 [DSN #23].

Construction is started on the giant spaceship "Martian Genesis," planned
to carry over 1,000 people, all specially trained volunteers who will
begin the task of making the Martian surface habitable for Man. Instead
of remaining in orbit around Mars, the "Martian Genesis" is designed to
land on the surface, serving as a temporary home for the colonists until
permanent facilities can be constructed. The "Genesis" will then serve
as a power source for the colony with its nuclear generators [TBoT #2].

1990, January [reference stardate -1/9001]
Kahless epetai-Riskadh launches the daring coup that makes him the
first sole Emperor of the (interplanetary) Klingon Empire. The nearly
perfected warp drive soon points the Empire toward the stars [FASA].

16 March
The eugenic "supermen" are revealed to the public [EOM].

13 May
A letter from UESPA's NASA liaison Geoffrey Mandel to Dr. Imran Ahmed,
Staff Consultant for Project SETI indicates that the "Botany Bay" (DY-102)
sleeper ship should be ready for a Mars expedition sometime in 1994, fol-
lowing a trial run of the "Savannah" (DY-100). The Eugenics supermen
receive a reception in New City. A Terrestrial planet is confirmed
orbiting Alpha Centauri [EOM].

The "Martian Genesis" lands on Mars, and the colony is successfully
launched. The colonists begin the difficult task of building a permanent
home on the Martian surface. One of Jean-Luc Picard's ancestors plays
a part in the first colony [TBoT #2, ST VII].

Mars will eventually be terraformed and possess a breathable
atmosphere by the early 23rd Century. Technological breakthroughs
made after contact with the Vulcans in the late 21st Century will
make the project feasible and warming of the planet will be
accomplished in a fraction of the time predicted by 21st Century
scientists. Water and oxygen will be liberated from the
subterranean permafrost and genetically engineered bacteria will be
introduced into the terrain. The earliest colonists will utilize
local Martian resources including basaltic regolith. Tom Paris'
ancestors will be involved with the early Mars missions [GN 25, V 217].

The Fusion Age on Earth: fusion power and weaponry are developed [LOR,
SFD].

In the "Mirror" universe, construction is completed on a multibillion-
dollar research lab in a remote section of Northern Arizona. It is
jokingly christened the Mount Olympus Institute [TBoT #14].

1991
The Saturn Dual Probe arrives at the planet, with the satellite going
into orbit as the descent stage relays information as it enters the plan-
et's atmosphere [SFC].

The USSR breaks up [V 150].

Within the next decade: Mankind enters what appears to be a golden age.

Due to the technology developed in the colonization of the Moon and Mars,
the standard of living goes up radically the world over. The Martian col-
ony flourishes and grows to over 10,000 in population. Further colonies
are established in the asteroid belt, and on the moons of Jupiter and Sat-
urn. An automated station is landed on the surface of Jupiter to "mine"
the rare chemicals from the atmosphere. The Martian colony, augmented by
new arrivals from Earth, splits into three more locations. Three more
Starlab-type space stations are established, one of which is devoted
solely to farming. With no seasons, droughts, diseases etc. to affect
growth yields, the farm satellite produces three times the foodstuffs an
equal area of land on Earth does. World famine is greatly reduced, and
the promise of more farm satellites gives Humanity freedom from the fear
of hunger. Solar power, in the form of microwaving from space, now sup-
plies more than 75 percent of Earth's power needs. Thus, two of the
largest problems facing the people of Earth seem to be solved, and public
support for exploration and utilization of space has never been higher.
The future of Man is assured. Or so it seems [TBoT #2]...

1992
The Space Shuttle completes its twelve year series so successfully, Man
will forever be in space. The craft is phased out, completing the last of
its 553 flights. The Shuttles will be replaced by Earth-to-orbit Space
Ferries, propelled by high-performance chemical boosters whose waste prod-
ucts are water and carbon dioxide [SFC].

An Amish rocking chair built in this era will belong to Winona Kirk
in the 23rd Century. By 2292 it will end up in Peter Kirk's home
on Deneva [GN 20].

Earth's World War III begins: the Eugenics Wars result in the death of
over 37 million people over the next four years. It starts as a hidden
and secretive conflict of science and politics, not an open conflict of
munitions and armies [SS, BC, EOM, GN 7].

During this period, Earth's bacteriological experiments will develop an
infection similiar to that of the Omega IV virus [OG].

June [reference stardate -1/9206]
The outbreak of the Eugenics Wars limits Terran manned space efforts
as resources are turned to global war [FASA].

08 September
The article 'Eugenic Supermen: Saviors or Dictators?' appears in The
New York Times [EOM].

'Chicago Mobs of the Twenties' is published in New York on Earth.

This single book will serve as a guide for the society on Sigma Iotia
II in the next two centuries [PA].

In the "Mirror" universe, the first of the so-called genetic supermen are
finally revealed to the public. They are physically stronger than other
men, with a high level of intelligence--and cunning [TBoT #14].