Many years from now a boy will be born on March 22, 2233, in Riverside, Iowa. Destined to become the youngest captain in Star Fleet history, he would boldly go where no man has gone before. But first, he needed a name.
On May 18, 1965, a World War II fighter pilot, veteran of 89 combat missions named Gene Roddenberry, offered several suggestions. 16 to be exact, among which were Hannibal, Timber, Flagg and Raintree.
Roddenberry decided on James T. Kirk, based on a journal entry of the 18th century British explorer, Captain James Cook: “ambition leads me … farther than any other man has been before me”.
Kirk was killed in 2329 on the Enterprise (B), after the ship was eaten by a Nexus energy ribbon on its maiden voyage. Only he didn’t die, because Jean-Luc Picard found him alive in the timeless Nexus, negotiating hotel deals for Priceline.com.
Or something like that.
In his 1968 book “Making of Star Trek”, Gene Roddenberry says that James Kirk was born in a small town in Iowa. Full-time Trekkie and part-time Riverside Councilman Steve Miller thought “Why not Riverside”. In 1985, Miller moved that Riverside declare itself the Future Birthplace of James T. Kirk. The motion passed unanimously.
Just like that, the official slogan went from “Where the best begins” to “Where the Trek begins.” The annual summer festival… that changed from “River Fest” to “Trek Fest”.
The Riverside connection became Holy Writ when the 2009 film Star Trek identified the place as Kirk’s hometown. Today there is a granite monument in Riverside, population 963, declaring itself the “Future Birthplace of Captain James T. Kirk.
Oh… In case you wanted to know what the “T” stands for… it’s Tiberius.
Historical Easter Eggs - Today in History 
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