Are you ready, Trekkies? Let us celebrate Captain Picard Day on 16 June! As you remember, the first Captain Picard Day is celebrated on Star Trek: The Next Generation season 7 episode “The Pegasus”, when the event was held aboard the USS Enterprise-D for the ship’s schoolchildren. Activities included a contest, judged by Captain Jean-Luc Picard himself, in which the children created paintings and models of the captain.

Jean-Luc Picard is a fictional character in the Star Trek franchise, most often seen as the Captain of the starship USS Enterprise-D. He appears in the television series Star Trek: The Next Generation (TNG), the feature films Star Trek Generations (1994), Star Trek: First Contact (1996), Star Trek: Insurrection (1998), and Star Trek: Nemesis (2002), and is planned to feature as the central character in the forthcoming show Star Trek: Picard. He is portrayed by actor Patrick Stewart.

Depicted as deeply moral, highly logical, and intelligent, Captain Picard is a master of diplomacy and debate who resolves seemingly intractable issues between multiple, sometimes implacable parties with a Solomon-like wisdom. Though such resolutions are usually peaceful, Picard is also shown using his remarkable tactical cunning in situations when it is required. Picard has a fondness for detective stories, Shakespearean drama, and archeology. He is frequently shown drinking Earl Grey tea and issuing the order, “Make it so”, or, “Engage”.

16 June was chosen as Captain Picard Day because in “The Pegasus” episode, Captain Picard Day was celebrated on stardate of 47457.1, which translates to 16 June 2370.

Celebrate Captain Picard Day by watching Star Trek television series and film, especially those that feature Captain Picard. You could also drink a cup of “tea, Earl Grey, hot,” the Captain’s standard replicator order. Or reply “Make it so” to any question, regardless of whether it makes sense or not. Alternately, simply utter “Engage.” You could also read a book, as this is one of Captain Picard’s favorite hobbies. So grab some Shakespeare (“Hamlet” would be a good choice”) and simultaneously salute both Picard and Patrick Stewart, the actor who brought him to life.

Happy Captain Picard Day! Engage!