Today in Nerd History | September 28

*NOTE: In the video above, we mistakenly listed Zoolander as having premiered in 2018. The correct year was 2001 and that correction is reflected in the article below.

Nerd culture is a vibrant tapestry of events, releases, and milestones that have shaped the entertainment landscape. From iconic movies to groundbreaking games and significant literary contributions, this article takes a trip down memory lane to explore the notable nerd culture events that occurred on September 28th in history. Let’s celebrate these cherished moments that have left an indelible mark on the hearts of fans around the world.

Photo Credit: Den of Geek

“ENGAGE.”

In 1987, Star Trek: The Next Generation premiered. This American science fiction television series follows the adventures of a new crew of the USS Enterprise, a starship that explores the galaxy in the 24th century.

Nerdy Fact: The actor who played Captain Jean-Luc Picard, Patrick Stewart, was not the first choice for the role. Roddenberry was reluctant to cast him because he was bald and did not fit the image of a heroic starship captain. However, Stewart impressed the producers with his audition and his Shakespearean background.

Photo Credit: Rotten Tomatoes

“WHAT IS THIS? A SCHOOL FOR ANTS?!”

In 2001, Zoolander premiered. This comedy film is about a dimwitted male model who is brainwashed to assassinate the Prime Minister of Malaysia by an evil fashion mogul. The film is a satire on the fashion industry and its absurdities.

Nerdy Fact: Will Ferrell dyed his hair platinum blonde three times to play the villainous fashion designer Mugatu. He had to wear a wig for half a season of Saturday Night Live to cover up his hair.

Photo Credit: Space.com

SPACEX

In 2008, SpaceX’s Falcon 1 rocket finally achieved orbit on its fourth try, launching from Omelek Island with a mass simulator payload named RatSat. The launch was a historic milestone for SpaceX and the space industry, as it demonstrated that a private company could deliver a payload into orbit using a partially reusable rocket.

Nerdy Fact: Falcon 1 was named after the Millennium Falcon, a fictional starship from the Star Wars franchise.

Photo Credit: Epic Games

GENSHIN IMPACT

In 2020, Genshin Impact released in the US. This free-to-play open-world action RPG lets you explore a fantasy world called Teyvat, where you can use elemental magic, switch between different characters, and embark on an epic quest to find your lost sibling.

Nerdy Fact: The name of the character Childe is not his real name, but a code name given to him by the Fatui. His real name is Tartaglia, which means “the one who makes trouble” in Italian.

Today in Nerd History is produced by Radio Matt & Deidra for Rise & Shine, Nerds, LTN’s official Nerdy Morning News Show.