One hour on Wookiepedia is enough to show you that Star Wars’ history is just as expansive as our own. Every little detail has a page with as much recorded information as possible. When you take into account the Disney canon split, you have even more content to shuffle through, some non-canon and others surprisingly canon. The films do tend to cover the most important events, at least in regards to the Skywalker saga, but even they end up omitting some key details. Specifically, it’s hard to really cement what exactly happened between Episodes VI and VII without checking secondary sources.

If you are bold enough to wade through pages upon pages of history, you’ll find that the thirty-year gap between Episodes VI and Episode VII is filled with more than enough material to cover an entirely new trilogy. The entire status quo of the universe changed; character arcs were resolved in other mediums; and the world that Luke fought so hard to achieve crumbled in between his fingers by the end of it all. Makes for a good story, doesn’t it? With so much to unpack, we naturally couldn’t fit them all here, but feast your eyes on thirty of the most ridiculous and momentous events that happened between Return of the Jedi and The Force Awakens.

29 The Battle Of Jakku

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Battle Of Jakku

Although the Original Trilogy ends with the Battle of Endor, Episode VI does not actually mark the end of the Galactic Civil War. Far from it, actually. With Darth Vader and Darth Sidious gone, the Empire actually persisted for roughly an entire extra year before the war’s final battle: the Battle of Jakku. Naturally, it goes without saying how this war ended.

The sequels begin where the war ends. 

What’s most interesting about the Battle of Jakku is how the Sequel Trilogy really only hints at it. Interestingly, the Empire’s remnants actually went into the battle intending to lose as the commander at the time had planned on using the loss to rise up from the ashes. While he would fall in battle, the First Order would rise sooner rather than later.

28 Leia Begins Using The Force

via: screenrant.com

Since we never see Leia use the Force in the Original Trilogy, but plainly see her do so in Episode VIII, we can deduce that Leia did not begin using the Force for the first time until after the events of Episode VI. The supplemental material might try to get around this, but don’t believe those.

For starters, Leia cannot use the Force until after Episode VI because it’s only then when she admits that Luke is her brother. Before then, the Force was something only Jedi could use and the characters would have clearly talked about her using the Force if she could. But they don’t, so she doesn’t.

27 Han Lost The Millennium Falcon

via starwars.wikia.com

The Millennium Falcon is not only Han’s signature ship, it may as well be the flagship ship for the entire Star Wars franchise. This is the ship people think about when they think about the series. Its triumphant return in the Sequel Trilogy was a big moment for many fans, but also a bit of an awkward one.

Leave it to Han to lose a whole spaceship. 

Considering Han was not in possession of the Millennium Falcon at the start of the ST, we need to accept the fact that, following the end of the sixth film, the Falcon and Han parted ways. Canonically, the Millennium Falcon was actually stolen off of Han and he didn’t see it for another thirty years.

26 Snoke Quietly Rose To Power

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The fact that Snoke lacks a major backstory has been a spot of contention for a good chunk of fans in the community, but his quiet rise to power is not only the point of his character, it actually makes quite a bit of narrative sense. In a galaxy fresh off the rise of the Empire, of course Snoke’s ascension would happen in the background.

He doesn’t have a backstory because everything he accomplished happened behind the scenes. How else would the First Order so craftily usurp the Empire? Fans deem this a plot hole, but it’s a detail, or lack thereof, that is incredibly relevant in helping the audience understand how Snoke came to power.

25 The Lost Treasure Of Count Dooku

via: starwars.com

For as bad as the Prequel Trilogy is, and it truly is bad no matter how much you like the memes, it does have a few redeeming qualities. Most notably, the inclusion of Count Dooku, a Jedi turned Sith whose character acts as an excellent literary foil to both Obi-Wan Kenobi and Anakin Skywalker.

Dooku's legacy lives on in Disney. 

Following the events of Episode VI, years after his demise, two treasure hunters discovered that Dooku had hidden away a secret treasure. The two hunters raced across the galaxy to be the first to obtain Dooku’s treasure only to discover that said treasure was simply a Clone Trooper who had been put into stasis.

24 Naboo Invasions

via: YouTube (UPlayNetwork)

As we’ve established, the Battle of Endor was far from the final battle in the Galactic Civil War. A few months after both Darth Vader’s and Emperor Palpatine’s demises, Empiric sympathizers rallied together on Naboo, Palpatine’s homeworld, to reclaim the Empire they were losing. This skirmish became known as the Naboo Invasions.

Naturally, as with most battles following the dissolution of Palpatine’s leadership, the Empire ultimately lost. This defeat forced the Empire’s remnants to regroup and plan one final assault: the Battle of Jakku. As we’ve already covered, said battle did not go nearly as well as they had hoped.

23 Maz Found Anakin’s Lightsaber

Via labsk.net

Luke losing his father’s Lightsaber, to his father of all people, is a big moment for his character. Not only does he lose his only tangible connection to his heritage upon learning his heritage, he is symbolically stripped of his status as a Jedi, directly leading into the character arc we see during Episode VI.

Someone has to explain it sooner or later. 

Although fans have wanted to see the Lightsaber’s return for years, it does make thematic sense as to why Luke would need to lose it. That didn’t stop the Sequel Trilogy from bringing it back, though. During the time skip, Maz found Anakin’s Lightsaber and… that’s it. We don’t know anything else about it. Thank you, J.J. Abrams!

22 Phasma Found Her Armor

via starwars.com

You don’t even need an explanation for what “Phasma’s armor” is simply due to how iconic her overall appearance is. Despite barely being a character in the Sequel Trilogy, Phasma is proof that good character design can go a long way. Interestingly, however, Phasma’s armor isn’t her armor at all.

Rather, Phasma’s armor was actually originally Palpatine’s armor. The First Order found the armor on a yacht belonging to Emperor Palpatine. Phasma took a liking to it and polished it in chronium. Of course, it is possible the armor wasn’t ever worn by Palpatine, but it was with his possessions on his yacht.

21 Han Solo Let His Son Down

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Everyone talks about how horrible Kylo Ren is for stabbing his father —which, to be fair, he is— but no one ever brings up just how responsible Han is for his own fate. Han was not around for Ben. Leading up to the confrontation with his son, Han even dismisses the idea that Ben can be reformed.

Not the worst father in Star Wars, but still. 

Naturally, when Han does eventually reach out to his only child, it only makes sense that he cannot reach Kylo Ren. The two are so disconnected, and Han is so detached from who his son is, that the divide is too large to cross. To Ben’s credit, it at least seems that he was very close to being swayed.

20 Battle Of Nag Ubdur

via wookiepedia

In one of the more intense battles taking place during the end of the Galactic Civil War, the New Republic put quite a bit of effort into liberating Nag Ubdur. Unlike other battles that mostly ended in decisive Republic victories, this one came at a cost. Not wanting to lose yet again, the Empire raised the city of Binjai-Tin.

With the city in shambles, the Empire slaughtered its people, leading to the event being called the Massacre of Binjai-Tin. The Republic did win the battle, but at the cost of massive lost, arguably defeating the purpose of liberating Nag Ubdur in the first place.

19 R2-D2 Fell Into A Deep Depression

via: starwars.com

R2-D2 arguably has it worse than any other character in the entire Sequel Trilogy. The aftermath of the Original Trilogy was not a kind one for him. For a time, he lived peacefully with Luke, but the tides turned and R2-D2 fell into an incredibly deep depression, waking up for no one who didn’t know where his master was.

Poor R2's had it rough. 

Following the complete destruction of Luke’s temple resulting in Luke exiling himself, R2-D2 was left behind. All alone with his closest companion gone from him, R2-D2 shut himself out from the world. It took Luke’s map for R2 to finally wake up and regain his lost self. Time will tell how he’ll handle the end of Episode VIII.

18 Jar Jar's Life Falls Apart

via: starwars.com

The only character who endures as much as R2-D2 does following the end of the Galactic Civil War is none other than the series’ perpetual punching bag, Jar Jar Binks. Removed from the Senate, Jar Jar more or less becomes homeless, roaming the streets as a jester for the children. His fate is an incredibly cruel one, albeit not surprising considering how much vitriol fans gave him. Even then, it seems too far even for Jar Jar. He was a frustrating character, but to make his life so hard over it seems… a bit much.

17 Operation: Cinder

via: therichest.com

Operation: Cinder is arguably the darkest thing to come out of Disney’s acquisition of the series. A contingency planned established by Palpatine in the event of his demise, Operation: Cinder saw the Empire effectively attempting to systematically demolish the galaxy from inside out.

Talk about a sore loser. 

By placing satellites into the orbit of different planets, Operation: Cinder creates electric storms that would wreak havoc on multiple worlds. At the same time, the Empire would actively attack multiple worlds leading to the several battles fought near the end of the Galactic Civil War.

16 Poe And Ben Solo Grow Up Together

via Future of the Force

Logistically, there is simply no way that Poe Dameron and Ben Solo did not know each by the start of Episode VII. Considering Poe’s relationship with Leia, it is strongly implied that he was raised near Leia. Which also means he grew up with Ben Solo, otherwise known as Kylo Ren.

This does make their one interaction in the Sequel Trilogy a bit awkward as a result. You could argue that Poe wouldn’t know who Kylo Ren was and that Ben naturally wouldn’t comment on his dynamic with Poe, but Leia knew who Kylo was and she most certainly told Poe. As is, however, you get the vibe both characters are meeting for the same time.

15 Snoke Offered Ben What No One Else Could

via: businessinsider.com

There’s a good reason why Ben Solo ultimately gives himself to Snoke and becomes Kylo Ren. It isn’t some hidden detail in the background, either, it’s just subtext. Throughout the Sequel Trilogy, it’s quite clear what Ben needs: parental guidance. Neither Han or Luke could give him what he wanted.

Who needs a dad when you've got Snoke? 

Snoke could, though. Familiar enough with Ben to understand that he secretly idolized Anakin Skywalker, Snoke warped that admiration into idolization. He created Kylo Ren, someone obsessed with being Darth Vader. Through Snoke, Ren is able to find a father figure who can make him more like Anakin.

14 C-3PO Lost His Arm

via: starwars.com

C-3PO’s red arm is a rather strange detail, one added most likely just to add some visual change to pre-established characters, but it does actually have some place in the series’ canon. Interestingly, it also expands Threepio as a character, although not by too much. He is still comic relief after all.

In a rescue mission for Admiral Ackbar, C-3PO finds himself nearly destroyed. At the last minute, he is saved by a droid who gives his life, claiming that he is sick of the way droids are treated. Honoring his sacrifice, C-3PO takes his arm as a reminder of their “friendship.”

13 Han And Chewie Broke Up

via: mstrychowska.deviantart.com

The Liberation of Kashyyyk, yet another battle that took place during the tail end of the Galactic Civil War, Chewbacca decided he would stay behind to help rebuild with his people. Naturally, Han having married Leia so soon after the Battle of Endor, he could not stay with his companion and the two needed to split apart.

No friendship lasts forever.

Interestingly, when or how they got back together has yet to be covered, but the fact they’re as tight as ever come Episode VII at least goes to show that their separation didn’t last very long. If nothing else, it wasn’t so monumental where the two’s feelings for one another faded during time spent apart.

12 Luke Met Poe’s Mom

via: starwars.wikia.com

Poe isn’t just some nobody who rose to prominence out of nowhere for the Sequel Trilogy. Well, he sort of is considering that he was not originally going to survive past the trilogy’s first half hour, but backstory wise he has a solid footing to be a main character. Most notably, his mother knew Luke.

Working with Luke to retrieve fragments from the Great Tree, Shara helped the Jedi before shortly retiring after said mission. Her role is by no means all that important, but the mere fact she contributed at all in a major way, and to a mission important for Luke, is worth making note of.

11 Cold War

StarWars.com

Yes, the Star Wars series does indeed have its own Cold War, and it is nothing like the actual historic Cold War. Well, it kind of is as it lacked recorded battles and relied more on counterintelligence, but regardless, it is very much its own beast. For the series, the Cold war is a time in which tensions were rising with the First Order. From the shadows, remnants of the Empire rose and slowly built up a force worthy of thrusting the galaxy back into chaos over the course of twenty years.

10 Leia Is Forced To Resign From The Galactic Senate

via: battlefront.wikia.com

Although Leia realizes that she is Luke’s sister by the end of the Original Trilogy, she never learns that she is also Darth Vader’s daughter. At the end of the original series, Leia is left believing that she is related to Luke, but really not much else. Naturally, the truth came out sooner rather than later.

You just can't have Darth Vader's children hanging around. 

With her true heritage revealed, Leia is effectively forced to resign from the Galactic Senate. Not only is she the true daughter of the Empire’s most fearsome leader, she is also only the adopted daughter of Bail Organa. Of course, Leia doesn’t lose favor with the people, but she was in no position to remain on the Senate.