Today marks a very special day for “Star Trek” fans. According to series lore, April 5th 2063 marks the day humans first achieved warp flight, and in doing so, caught the attention of Vulcans, who came to Earth to see the ‘primitive people’ who had done this great thing. So I guess we could also say it’s from this meeting one of Starfleet / the Federation’s most stringent rules comes from- The Prime Directive.
That rule prohibits Starfleet / Federation members from interfering with the natural development of alien civilizations. Specifically, if a planet or people are pre-warp technology, you do not make contact with them. Which, of course, captains have been ignoring for decades.
We’re getting off topic. What we REALLY want to tell you about is how NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization) used a part of First Contact Day during the recent induction of Sweden to the organization.
During the ceremonial flag raising which took place at NATO headquarters in Brussels, a certain piece of Jerry Goldsmith “Star Trek” music was performed by the live band. It’s the main theme from “Star Trek: First Contact,” the 1996 film from director Jonathan Frakes.
“Ahead of ceremonial military events, the band will often play a range of popular music, with the band given discretion with respect to which music to play,” a NATO official told TrekNews. “Jerry Goldsmith was a masterful film composer, as exemplified by his work on Star Trek’s “First Contact.” At the ceremony itself, the national anthem of Sweden and the NATO anthem were played.”
You can watch the video below. The music starts about 15 seconds in.
But seriously, how perfect and amazing!
You can watch “First Contact,” as well as most other “Star Trek” series and films, on Paramount+.
