Every year on September 8 fans celebrate “Star Trek Day,” marking the anniversary of the 1966 debut of the original Star Trek series, launching a franchise that is still going 58 years later. For this year CBS and Paramount are partnering with some charities for the “Take the Chair, Make an Impact” global campaign, which is “encouraging fans to embrace the optimistic vision of a brighter future and to give back to the inclusive community.” The campaign includes activations in 3 cities around the world.
Take the chair… for Star Trek Day 2024
For 2024, “Star Trek” has partnered with three worldwide nonprofits that “embody the values of the franchise,” including Code.org, giving every K-12 student the opportunity to learn computer science; DoSomething.org, fueling young people to change the world; and Outright International, advocating for LGBTIQ inclusion and equality globally. The “Take the Chair” campaign invites fans to “see themselves in the iconic U.S.S. Enterprise captain’s chair and ask themselves, ‘What would I do if I were setting the course to the future?'” Fans will be able to engage through a digital experience available worldwide on StarTrek.com. Throughout the month of September, 25% of U.S. product sales from select items on the official “Star Trek” shop will benefit these three nonprofits.
The franchise is also “encouraging fans to take on the mission of giving back with this worldwide social activation.” Fans will also be able to celebrate “Star Trek Day” at various pop-up events, including the Taste of Chicago located in Chicago, Ill., throughout the weekend of Sept. 6, which will feature the U.S.S. Enterprise captain’s chair, while on Sept. 8 activations in Berlin, Germany, at the ALEXA Mall and in Vancouver, British Columbia, at the Richmond Centre will feature a “modern architectural interpretation of the captain’s chair crafted from sustainable materials.” At all activations, fans are invited to “Take the Chair,” capture a photo, obtain a personalized mission and receive a limited edition enamel pin.
Free episodes online
In honor of Star Trek Day, Paramount is making the premiere episode of all the Star Trek shows available for free from Sept. 7-13 on Paramount+ partner platforms (Amazon, Apple, Roku), Paramount+’s Official YouTube page, Pluto TV and on the Paramount+ free content hub (US only).
The premiere episodes being made available are:
- STAR TREK: THE ORIGINAL SERIES, “The Cage”
- STAR TREK: THE NEXT GENERATION, “Encounter at Farpoint Part I & II”
- STAR TREK: VOYAGER, “Caretaker Part I & II”
- STAR TREK: DEEP SPACE NINE, “The Emissary Part I & II”
- STAR TREK: ENTERPRISE, “Broken Bow Part I & II”
- STAR TREK: THE ANIMATED SERIES, “Beyond the Farthest Star”
- STAR TREK: STRANGE NEW WORLDS, “Strange New Worlds”
- STAR TREK: LOWER DECKS, “Second Contact”
- STAR TREK: DISCOVERY, “The Vulcan Hello”
- STAR TREK: PICARD, “Remembrance”
They are also making five episodes of Short Treks avaialabe for free: “The Girl Who Made the Stars,” “The Trouble with Edward,” “Ask Not,” “Runaway” and “Ephraim and Dot”
For additional information on “Star Trek Day” programming and initiatives, please visit StarTrek.com/Day.
I’m probably not the only one who thought it should say “Make a Difference”, as a nod to “Generations”.
Just another way of saying we dont have anything to release. But here’s the barebones…
It is a marketing gimmick, but it may at least do some marginal good in the real world, and it sends a positive message.
They have a new season of Lower Decks starting in a few weeks, and SNW season 3 and the Section 31 movie early in 2025, and the Academy show going into production now, so they do have quite a lot to release.
Strange they’ve opted to omit “Where No Man has Gone Before” from the TOS pilots…. it was the legendary first-ever 2nd pilot to be commissioned. If it’s a matter of “space” or “time” (a-hem), why not replace those Short Treks with that legendary first Kirk episode of TOS.
Glad to hear that some festivities are planned and that there’s a charity element involved!
I’m glad they are NOT representing TOS with “The Man Trap.” Although it was the first episode broadcast, it was neither the first episode made nor the best episode nor the most representative one.
While “The Cage” is certainly a worthy episode, it may confuse those newcomers who were expecting TOS to have Captain Kirk in it. I think “Where No Man Has Gone Before” is a worthy episode, and it could truthfully be called the beginning of TOS.
If I were to pick a Season 1 episode that I thought was most representative, I’d pick “The Devil in the Dark,” but since it was the 26th episode made, I guess it’ll never be picked as newcomers’ entree into the show.