“Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it,” is a popular saying used to warn people about disastrous current events. And in preparation for the launch of Independence Day: Resurgence, Fox has created a special site dedicated to the War of 1996 that presents some of the most important events that happened in the 20 years that followed the release of the original film.
Below, you’ll find the highlights of this universe, from 1996 leading up to the second encounter with the powerful and dangerous aliens that are preparing for the second attack against Earth.
DON’T MISS: The first ‘Star Trek Beyond’ trailer just leaked
July 2nd, 1996: Aliens attack earth destroying 108 cities and prompting a swift response from armies around the world
November 30th, 1997: The alien threat has been largely neutralized, and humans start rebuilding
March 17th, 1998: The near annihilation of the human race had a welcomed side-effect: the leaders of the world united to prevent similar events
May 25th, 1998: The Earth Space Defense Program (ESD) is formed, with War of 96 hero David Levinson appointed Director
August 1st, 1999: ESD equips F-22 Raptors with alien shield technology
June 22nd, 2000: Entirely destroyed by a crashing alien ship, Las Vegas becomes a permanent memorial to War of 96
October 10, 2001: The war against aliens continues in Congo, as locals fight against survivors of a City Destroyer declining assistance from ESD
October 23rd, 2003: U.S. Army scientists use alien technology to enhance weapons and for other military applications
April 27th, 2007: War of 96′ hero Colonel Hiller is killed while testing the first ESD alien hybrid fighter
February 21st, 2009: The ESD opens the Moon base, a military outpost designed with defensive, offensive and space exploration capabilities
June 4th, 2011: ESD Director David Levinson attends 2011 TEDx Conference detailing the tech advancements made possible by alien technology
August 19th, 2014: The next-gen hybrid alien vehicles and weapons systems are introduced, including the T4 Global Defender Hybrid Fighter
July 4th, 2016: The 20th anniversary of the War of 96
