Star Trek: The Next Generation Boldly Celebrates 27th Birthday [VIDEO]

It's hard to believe that babies born on the same day Star Trek: The Next Generation debuted are now full-grown adults, probably practicing medicine. It's been 27 years since the crew of the U.S.S. Enterprise NCC-1701-D first made their appearance on our television screens. To help us relate, and maybe get past the shock factor, let's see what other major events happened in 1987.

Star Trek: The Next Generation debuted September 28, 1987, in first-run syndication. That same year, these fascinating events also occurred:

• The Rock N' Roll hall of fame inducted its first member. Who was it? Well, it was Aretha Franklin, of course.
• Astronomers at the University of California witnessed the first birth of a galaxy.
• President Ronald Reagan signs a secret order permitting the sale of arms to Iran.
• R. Budd Dwyer, a politician from Pennsylvania, shoots and kills himself on live national television.
• The Dow Jones average closes above 2,200 for the first time.
• Madonna went to #1 on the charts with "Open Your Heart." You may remember, this is the video where she plays a stripper.
• Larry Bird's streak of 59 consecutive free throws comes to an end.
• A woman serving a life sentence for the attempted assassination of President Gerald R. Ford, Lynette "Squeaky" Fromme, escapes from prison (only to be captured two days later.)

Do you feel old now? I sure do. Happy birthday to the intrepid cast and crew of Star Trek: The Next Generation. Thanks for 27 years of greatness.