Nichelle Nichols' groundbreaking kiss and other iconic Star Trek moments

The actress who played Nyota Uhura (she died on July 30, 2022) was one of the first Black women featured in a major television series. She played Lieutenant Uhura on the original TV show, 'Star Trek,' and will perhaps be best known for one particularly memorable Star Trek moment where she pushed all the boundaries.

First broadcast on November 22, 1968, this episode shows the momentous scene we are talking about: Uhura and Kirk's kiss. The episode is popularly cited as containing the first example of a scripted interracial kiss on U.S television - although previous instances have since come to light.

The kiss is not the only magnificent moment to have come from this classic TV show. Nichelle, alongside the cast of all the remakes and films, created some magical moments.

We take a look back at all things Star Trek with our favorite facts, funny episodes, history, and ground-breaking moments from this incredible franchise.

In 1966, Roddenberry gave the world Star Trek. It was the beginning of a franchise that has spawned so many spin-offs and movies, now worth over $25 billion and counting.

This original 'Star Trek pilot was rejected by NBC for being "too intellectual", "too slow", and with "not enough action." A new pilot was commissioned, starring a completely different character: Captain James T. Kirk played by the legendary William Shatner. 'Where No Man Has Gone Before', became our first glimpse of what would be decades of joy for all Trekkies.

There were only 79 episodes of the original series, lasting a mere three seasons. So, starting with the original series, we take a look at the most memorable moments of the original Kirk and crew.

The crew of the enterprise are infected by a mysterious virus causing them to lose their inhibitions and release their deepest desires but also their fears. The episode is particularly notable for Spock losing his usual calm and logical demeanour and having an emotional breakdown, while Zulu races around the ship shirtless wielding a sword.

One of the greatest episodes of all time, starring the one and only Joan Collins. It's classic science fiction TV as McCoy travels back in time and accidentally rewrites history. Scriptwriter Bronson said: "The best episodes of Star Trek (or any series) were always the ones where you absolutely believed everything that was happening was real and that you were not being manipulated by the writer." This is one of those moments.

Kirk and the crew find themselves inundated with cute but dangerous living furry balls. One of the greatest episodes ever in many fans' opinions. It received three Emmy nominations. Years later, 'Star Trek: Deep Space Nine' paid homage to the episode in 'Trials and Tribble-ations.'

To avoid violating one of their important directives, Kirk and Spock pay a visit to a planet based on a book about the Chicago mob culture. Dressed up like gangsters and carrying Tommy Guns, they must help the rest of the crew escape by distracting them with a fictitious card game.

Possibly one of the funniest episodes of Star Trek to date. The Enterprise is hijacked by a hippie-like group obsessed with finding a mythical paradise. With so many moments to choose from, this entire episode is a little wacky but never dull! You can't forget the ‘Gonna crack my knuckles and jump for joy, I got a clean bill of health from Dr. McCoy!’ moment.

Starfleet command has indeed been infiltrated by parasitic aliens that live inside humans that make them act really weirdly. This episode is totally bizarre but weirdly entertaining, up to its last minutes, when they make a guy's head explode to reveal the alien that the host body is harbouring.

Voted as one of the scariest episodes. When the crew members complain of a lack of sleep and they all are experiencing dejavu moments as well as finding random objects left on the ship, they come to the conclusion that they have been abducted and part of an alien social experiment. It's a really chilling episode rife with suspense that will make you shiver.

The Star Trek Franchise includes the original series, seven spin-off television series, two animated series, and thirteen films.

The high budget, special effects blockbuster starring Chris Pine as Captain Kirk. The beginning of life aboard the Starship Enterprise. A brilliant introduction of all your favourite characters, and cast that includes Chris Hemsworth, Karl Urban, Zoe Salanda, Zachary Qinto and Simon Pegg to name but a few. The first successful reboot.

Earning more than $460 million worldwide, Benedict Cumberbatch played Intergalactic villain Khhhhhaaaaaan! (Trekkie joke). Incredibly, many fans protested that Cumberbatch was not of Indian decent, although Khan is a super ability breed and has no country of origin...

Another box office success. Currently however, there's a new film in the works which sees Chris Hemsworth and Chris Pine reunite. The acclaimed Picard will also be returning for a second season and, finally, Lower Decks (the hilarious cartoon of the less glamorous workers on the famous starship) also moves into its second season. This franchise looks like it's here to stay.