Star Trek was a groundbreaking show for more than just its graphics and theatrics. Many 1960's Americans appreciated Roddenberry's progressive and inclusive take on what the future might look like. A starship with female science officers, welcoming people from all races and all walks of life was exactly what many people wished for and needed to see on a mainstream television show. Here are some examples of how Star Trek made history:

Television's First Interracial Kiss

Communications officer Uhura and Captain Kirk's kiss in the episode "Plato's Stepchildren" was the first interracial kiss to ever appear on air- and it was highly debated among producers just how, and if, it should be aired at all.

A Variety of People Were Proudly Accepted On-Set

While Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was actively fighting for the rights of all people, Star Trek followed suit by casting actors and actresses who represented multiple races and ethnicities- including African American, Japanese, and Russian.

A Russian Ensign During The Cold War

At the height of the Cold War, Roddenberry chose to cast Walter Koenig to play Checkov, a light-hearted, lovable young man from Russia. Checkov's portrayal offered a different perspective on who Russians were- and may have eased some tension in the minds of Americans.