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When George Lucas’ Star Wars premiered in 1977, the movie quickly became a phenomenon. On its 40th anniversary, The Onion looks back on the franchise’s defining moments:

4,000 BC-1972 AD

Everything Star Wars stole from

1975

George Lucas decides to expand his short PSA about the dangers of trash compactors into a feature film


1977

The FCC receives thousands of complaints about Chewbacca’s excessive on-screen nudity


1981

14-year-old Joseph Fuller explains the Force to his mother

1983

Thousands of unwanted Ewoks end up in pounds around the country after a spike in parents buying them as Christmas presents for children


1990

A Star Wars TV spin-off about rival X-wing pilots reworked into NBC’s Wings

1993

George Lucas begins work on the prequels by brainstorming some possible merchandising opportunities


1994

The Max Rebo Band breaks up following the death of slitherhornist Doda Bodonawieedo, who overdosed after mixing heroin with Jawa juice


2005

Star Wars: Episode III—Revenge Of The Sith suffers disappointing loss at Cannes Film Festival to Jean-Pierre and Luc Dardenne’s L’Enfant


2011

44-year-old Joseph Fuller explains the Force to his mother

2015

George Lucas downloads a pirated copy of The Force Awakens

2041

Critics conclude that Star Wars: Episode XXIV—Revenge Of The Force is better than Episodes I-III, IX-XIV, and XX-XXIII, but not as good as Episodes IV-VIII or XV-XIX