Complete Guide To Canonical Star Wars Timeline That Every Star Wars Fan Must Know

The Star Wars chronology isn’t the most straightforward to follow. Given how many movies, TV episodes, novels, comics, and video games make up the canon of the galaxy far, far away, it’s just going to grow more confusing. The series is also accelerating, with a slew of new films and television shows on the way — making it even more difficult to keep track of what’s going on and when. However, this is where we step in.

Below is a timeline of every key event in the galaxy’s history, beginning with Yoda‘s birth and ending with the events of The Rise of Skywalker. We’ve got you covered whether you’re searching for a franchise refresher or information on a section of the history you’re unfamiliar with. There’s never been a better moment to catch up on the Star Wars timeline than now, with the Obi-Wan Kenobi show just weeks away. This is the resource you’ve been looking for.

How does this Star Wars timeline work?

Everything in the Star Wars universe timeline is counted down from the Battle of Yavin, where Luke Skywalker detonated the first Death Star. As a result, Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith takes place 19 years before Star Wars: A New Hope, and is set 19 years before the Battle of Yavin (in 19 BBY). Star Wars: The Force Awakens, on the other hand, takes place 34 years after the Battle of Yavin (in 34 ABY). Now that that’s out of the way, let’s get started with a quick rundown of the Star Wars timeline.

Star Wars Timeline in detail:

900 BBY – Yoda is born, but no one has ever asked what species he belongs to. (Return of the Jedi)

~200 BBY – The Galactic Republic and the Jedi Order have reached their pinnacle of power. This is the Jedi’s Golden Age. (From the books and comic book series The High Republic)

As the Sith rise to power, emerging dark-side powers quickly take root among the Jedi. (From the Disney Plus series The Acolyte)

41 BBY – Anakin Skywalker is born to the Midichlorians and Shmi, Anakin’s mother. (The Phantom Menace is mentioned)

A young Yoda-like creature is also born around this period to unknown parents. (The Mandalorian)

32 BBY – By blockading Naboo, the Commercial Federation deepens a tense trade war. For the first time, C-3PO and R2-D2 meet. On Tatooine, Jedi Master Qui-Gon Jinn and his Padawan Obi-Wan Kenobi uncover Force-sensitive Anakin Skywalker and free him.

Queen Padme Amidala commands the liberation of Naboo, where Obi-Wan cuts Darth Maul in half, causing him to fall to his death. Anakin begins his Jedi training as Palpatine is elected Chancellor of the Republic. Galaxy is really interested in both of their careers. (Star Wars’ Phantom Menace)

Sifo-Dyas, the Jedi Master, hires Kaminoan cloners to develop an army for the Republic. (as seen in Attack of the Clones)

Grogu receives Jedi training. (The Mandalorian mentions this)

22 BBY – Separatists try to kill Senator Amidala on several occasions. Obi-search Wan’s for the assassin leads him to Kamino, where he discovers a fully functional Clone Army. In retaliation for his mother’s death, Anakin slaughters an entire village of Tusken Raiders (men, women, and children). Padme has an odd attraction to him.

Jar Jar Binks, a member of the Naboo Senate, requests for Supreme Chancellor Palpatine to be given emergency powers to call up the Clone Army, which thereafter joins the Jedi in combat against Separatist troops on Geonosis. In the combat, Jango Fett was killed. In lightsaber combat, Separatist commander Count Dooku is revealed to be Sith Lord Darth Tyranus, who slices off Anakin’s arm. Count Dooku receives the Separatist Death Star schematics from Geonosian chieftain Poggle the Lesser. Anakin and Padme had a covert wedding. The Clone Wars have started. (Attack of the Clones)

22 BBY – Ahsoka Tano becomes Anakin’s apprentice. (Star Wars: Clone Wars)

21 ABY – In order to exact revenge on Mace Windu for his father Jango’s murder, the teenage Boba Fett infiltrates a Republic Star Destroyer. (Star Wars: Clone Wars)

21 BBY – Galen Erso, a brilliant energy scientist, is kidnapped by Separatist troops and rescued by Orson Krennic (then a Republic officer) — it will later be revealed that Krennic has a hidden agenda concerning a planet-killing superweapon. (Catalyst: A Rogue One Novel)

20 BBY – Count Dooku is ordered by Darth Sidious to assassinate Asajj Ventress, the Dark Side apprentice Dooku has been secretly teaching. Former Sith Lord Darth Maul is discovered by his brother Savage Opress on Lotho Minor, half the man he used to be. On Onderon, Anakin, Ahsoka, and Obi-Wan meet and train future rebel Saw Gerrera to battle the Separatists. Above Geonosis, work on the Death Star starts. (Star Wars: Clone Wars)

19 BBY – To usurp and destroy Mandalore’s peaceful sovereign (and Obi-Wan love interest), Duchess Satine Kryze, Maul and Opress combine forces with crime groups and Mandalorian hardliners Death Watch. Darth Sidious straightens things out by murdering Opress and capturing Maul.

Ahsoka leaves the Jedi Order after being wrongfully accused of murder. Later, she travels to Mandalore to fight Maul during the Siege of Mandalore. She and the Clone soldier Rex make a miraculous escape from Order 66. (Star Wars: Clone Wars)

Separatist soldiers captured Supreme Chancellor Palpatine, and Anakin executed Count Dooku during the rescue. General Grievous, the Separatists’ cyborg military commander, is killed by Obi-Wan. Darth Sidious is revealed to be Palpatine. Darth Vader is Anakin Skywalker, who has been lured by the Dark Side. The Galactic Republic becomes the Galactic Empire when Palpatine declares himself Emperor. Clone Troopers turn on the Jedi and nearly wipe them out as a result of Order 66. On Mustafar, Darth Vader slaughters the last Separatist commanders.

In a fight, Obi-Wan defeats Vader, seriously wounding him and requiring the use of an iconic cybernetic life support outfit. Padme passes away while giving birth to twins. Luke is on Tatooine with his step-uncle/aunt Owen and Beru Lars, while Leia is on Alderaan with Senator Bail Organa. Obi-Wan and Yoda, on Tatooine and Dagobah, respectively, go into hiding. (Revenge of the Sith)

Order 66 directs a renegade group of defective Clones known as The Bad Batch to track down Padawan in Training Caleb Dume (later known as Kanan Jarrus). Hunter, the team’s captain, however, defies instructions. The Bad Batch is then ordered to assassinate Saw Gerrera. They refuse to comply and embark on their own journey. (Star Wars: The Bad Batch)

17 BBY – Galen Erso, compelled to work on the Death Star, flees Coruscant with his wife Lyra and daughter Jyn, with the assistance of Saw Gerrera. (Catalyst: A Rogue One Novel)

13 BBY – On Lah’mu, Krennic searches down the Erso family. Galen returns to work on the Death Star after Lyra’s death, leaving Jyn to have an, well, unusual childhood with Saw. (Rogue One: A Star Wars Story).

Han Solo breaks out from imprisonment on Corellia, joins the Imperial Navy, and acquires a surname. (Solo: A Star Wars Story)

10 BBY – Han Solo meets his furry best friend Chewbacca, defies the Empire, and joins Tobias Beckett’s criminal group. On Kessel, rebellious L3-37 leads a droid insurrection. Solo does a record-breaking 12 parsec Kessel Run on the Millennium Falcon and is so thrilled that he subsequently wins the Falcon from Lando Calrissian in a game of Sabacc. Solo assists Enfys Nest’s proto-Rebels but refuses to join them. Qi’ra takes command of the Crimson Dawn crime syndicate on a daily basis, reporting directly to Maul. (Solo: A Star Wars Story).

9 BBY – The next Obi-Wan Kenobi series takes set at this time.

5 BBY – Force-sensitive Ezra Bridger joins the crew of the Ghost, a Rebel ship. Kanan Jarrus, a fugitive Jedi, accepts him as a Padawan. (Star Wars Rebels)

4 BBY – Ahsoka Tano is revealed to be the rebel informant Fulcrum. The Empire begins the siege of Lothal. Darth Vader is dispatched by the Emperor to deal with the burgeoning Rebellion. Rex, Wolffe, and Gregor, former Clone Troopers, have joined the Rebellion. (Star Wars Rebels)

3 BBY – In battle, Maul blinds Kanan Jarrus. For the first time since she was Anakin’s apprentice, Ahsoka meets Vader. (Star Wars Rebels)

2 BBY – On Tatooine, Obi-Wan Kenobi finally accomplishes the job of murdering Maul. Mon Mothma resigns from the Imperial Senate and declares the Alliance to Restore the Republic to be formed (aka Rebel Alliance). Admiral Thrawn’s troops destroyed Chopper Base on Atollon, forcing the Rebels to evacuate to Yavin 4. (Star Wars Rebels)

1 BBY – Kanan Jarrus was slain in order to save the rest of the Ghost crew. Before he and Grand Admiral Thrawn go lost in combat, Ezra Bridger meets with the Emperor. After Sabine Wren bestows the ceremonial Darksaber on Bo-Katan Kryze, she ascends to the Mandalorian crown. (Star Wars Rebels).

0 BBY – At Scarif, the Rebels achieve their first big victory over the Empire, however, everyone engaged in recovering the Death Star designs dies in the end. (Rogue One: A Star Wars Story)

Darth Vader ultimately captures Princess Leia Organa. Luke Skywalker meets C-3PO and R2-D2 and gives Obi-Wan Kenobi the Death Star blueprints buried in R2. Luke joins the Jedi Order and meets Han Solo and Chewbacca. The Death Star destroys Alderaan. Leia was saved. Obi-Wan Kenobi passes away. The Death Star was obliterated. (A New Hope)

0-3 ABY – Darth Vader enlists the services of Boba Fett to track down the young Force-sensitive pilot who blew up the Death Star. (Darth Vader comic)

The Rebel Alliance moves to Echo Base on the icy planet of Hoth. (The Empire Strikes Back)

On Ord Mantell, Han Solo encounters an unnamed bounty hunter. (The Empire Strikes Back)

3 ABY – After the Empire finds Echo Base, the Rebels are forced to flee Hoth. On Dagobah, Luke Skywalker begins official Jedi training with Yoda. At Bespin, Darth Vader captures Han, Leia, and Chewbacca. Boba Fett freezes Han in Carbonite and transports him to Jabba the Hutt. Luke is confronted by Darth Vader, loses a hand, and discovers that the Sith Lord is his father. (The Empire Strikes Back)

3-4 ABY – Getting knowledge about Death Star 2 costs several Bothans their lives. (mentioned in Return of the Jedi)

4 ABY – Han Solo is liberated from Jabba the Hutt, with Leia assassinating Jabba. Boba Fett is believed to be dead. Yoda passes away. Luke discovers Leia is his twin sister, which is awkward! The Rebellion’s covert attack on Endor is intercepted by Imperial forces – it’s a trap! Luke confronts Darth Vader once more, this time in front of the Emperor. Vader returns to the side of good and kills the Emperor. Despite Ewok’s participation, the Death Star is destroyed. (Return of the Jedi)

5 ABY – Chewbacca assists Han Solo in freeing Kashyyyk from Imperial tyranny. At the Battle of Jakku, the New Republic wins a decisive victory over the Empire’s remnants. The Empire is dissolved when Mon Mothma signs the Galactic Concordance. Grand Admiral Rae Sloane and General Hux’s father Brendol lead a group of prominent Imperials across the Unknown Regions to establish the First Order. Ben Solo is conceived. (Star Wars: Aftermath novel trilogy)

5-9 ABY – After being devoured alive, Boba Fett emerges from the Sarlacc pit. Tusken Raiders capture him, but the bounty hunter earns their trust and becomes entrenched in their culture. A rival biker gang finally wipes out the Tuskens. He meets and assists Fennec Shand, who is injured. They work together to find whoever stole Boba’s armor from the Sarlacc.

9 ABY – Din Djarin, a lone gunfighter, travels to the farthest corners of the cosmos, where he encounters a young-ish green monster. The warrior flees, wanting to keep the creature safe, and he ends up adopting the tiny monster as his own.

Din seeks to bring the monster back to the Jedi Order. He ultimately runs upon Ahsoka Tano, who is looking for General Thrawn. Din is instructed to travel to Tython and utilize a specific stone to summon any Jedi who may be present. The creature’s true name is also revealed by Ahsoka: Grogu.

Grogu summons the Jedi, but the villainous Moff Gideon, wielding the Darksaber sword, captures him. Din is aided in defeating Moff Gideon by Boba Fett, who is searching for his armor, and Bo-Katan, the former heiress of Mandalore. When a battalion of Dark Trooper droids arrives, they are almost successful. Grogu’s Jedi summons are answered, and Luke Skywalker saves the day. Grogu is then taken away by Skywalker to be taught as a Jedi. (The Mandalorian)

RELATIVE:

Star Wars Fans Try To Fix The Sequels Trilogy, And They Are Brilliant

20 Most Breath-Taking Lightsaber Duels From Star Wars Ranking

Boba Fett and Fennec Shand return to Tatooine to seize control of the planet’s criminal underworld. Tatooine’s mayor, the Hutt twins, and the Pyke Syndicate foil their intentions. Boba assembles a squad to fight his foes, which includes Din Djarin. In a battle with Cad Bane, Cobb Vanth gets shot.

Grogu is being trained by Luke Skywalker, who is also attempting to construct a new Jedi temple. Grogu is given the option of staying as a Padawan and becoming Skywalker’s first student or returning to The Mandalorian. Grogu decides to return to Djarin, so the Jedi transport him to Tatooine, where the Child and Mando reconcile.

To reclaim control of Mos Espa, Fett kills Bane and destroys the Pykes and other crime syndicates. Vanth recovers after his fight with Bane by spending time in a bacta tank. (The Book of Boba Fett)

21 ABY – The First Order begins to use criminal gangs to support its growing military efforts. (Star Wars: Bloodline novel)

28 ABY – Political adversaries disclose the truth about Leia’s Sithy origin, enveloping her in a controversy that compels her to retire from the Senate. She establishes the Resistance in response to the danger of an increasingly aggressive First Order. (Star Wars: Bloodline novel)

28 ABY-34 ABY – Supreme Leader Snoke convinces Ben Solo to join the Dark Side. He desecrates Luke Skywalker’s new Jedi academy, murders the majority of his classmates (it’s unclear whether Grogu is present), and renames himself Kylo Ren. On Ahch-To, Luke goes into exile and disconnects from the Force. (From Star Wars: The Force Awakens)

At the Colossus outpost, Kazuda Xiono goes undercover as a Resistance agent. (Star Wars Resistance)

34 ABY – Poe Dameron discovers a map with information about Luke Skywalker’s location. Finn, or Trooper FN-2187, defected from the First Order, took Poe’s jacket, and met Rey on Jakku. The duo steals the Millennium Falcon and meets Han Solo and Chewbacca. The First Order destroys the whole Hosnian system with Starkiller base, wiping out the entire New Republic administration. Han Solo is killed by Kylo Ren. The Starkiller base has been destroyed. Rey locates Luke on Ahch-To. (The Force Awakens)

The Resistance flees from the First Order’s base on D’Qar. Supreme Leader Snoke is killed by Kylo Ren, who then calls himself Supreme Leader. When Vice-Admiral Holdo drives the Raddus through it in hyperspace, the Supremacy, a First Order flagship, is destroyed. Luke summons a Force projection of himself to meet Kylo Ren, but he perishes in the process. The Millennium Falcon is used by the remaining few Resistance survivors to flee. (The Last Jedi)

35 ABY – With Snoke defeated, an ancient foe reappears… Palpatine. The Emperor has been creating a massive Sith army for years, and they have finally awakened on Exegol, a Sith stronghold in an unexplored galaxy.

The Resistance has made progress against the First Order, which has now renamed itself the Final Order under Palpatine’s command. Kylo sets out to find Rey, Palpatine’s granddaughter. Rey stabs Kylo with a lightsaber when they first meet, but the Force saves him. General Leia is killed while attempting to keep her son, Kylo, alive.

Rey flies to Exegol in Luke Skywalker’s ancient X-Wing after discovering its location. She places trackers so the Resistance can track her down. She then faces her grandpa, while the Resistance, with the assistance of Lando, has gathered an army of individuals who detest the Final Order, and confronts her grandfather.

Palpatine quickly gains control of Rey, urging her to “strike him down” so the Sith may continue to live on through her. However, Kylo Ren arrives to assist, and the two assault Palpatine together. They are defeated by the Emperor, who steals their life energy. The slain Jedi then flock to Rey to assist her in overthrowing Palpatine, who is dissolved.

The galaxy rejoices upon the defeat of the Final Order. On Tatooine, Rey burys Luke and Leia’s lightsabers. Both suns had set. The equilibrium is restored. (Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker)

NEXT:

The Mandalorian Timeline In Star Wars Universe, Explained

9 Star Wars TV Series Following Obi-Wan Kenobi