What Happened Between Star Wars VI and Star Wars VII?

This week we learned that Star Wars VII, set for release in December of next year, is taking place 30 years after Return of the Jedi.

This actually makes sense, seeing as how it's been 30 years since that movie came out.

The timeline of the Star Wars Universe is currently measured in whether the event preceded or followed the Battle of Yavin where the first Death Star was destroyed as depicted in Star Wars IV: A New Hope.

For example, Luke Skywalker was born 19 years Before the Battle of Yavin or 19BBY

The Battle of Endor depicted in Return of the Jedi where the second Death Star was destroyed and the empire ended happens four years After the Battle of Yavin or 4ABY.

So, if Star Wars VII is taking place 30 years after that it would be in 34ABY.

While that seems to be a long stretch of time, there are actual events that happened in the galaxy far, far away according to a multitude of books and graphic novels.

Now, the history of those three decades is dependent on the Star Wars Continuity Working Group which is deciding on a unified timeline of the Star Wars Universe.

Here's what we know so far:

Han and Leia were married in 8ABY and got busy.

They had three children: the twins, Jacen, a boy, and Jaina, a girl, and their youngest son, Anakin.

In 20ABY, Luke Skywalker married Mara Jade, an employee of Emperor Palpatine who was at one point ordered to kill Skywalker.

The two of them had a son and named him Ben.

During this time the Jedi grew, the empire came back, then fell apart and Palpatine was cloned and killed again.

There was also a massive war with a race known as the Yuuzhan Vong who invaded the galaxy and nearly destroyed all sentient life there.

The Yuuzhan Vong war takes place between 25 and 29ABY.

The war began with the death of Chewbacca after saving Anakin Solo.

Anakin also gets killed during the war in 27ABY.

Not much is written about the years between 29 and 35, so J.J. Abrams and Lawrence Kasdan have some free wiggle room.

If the working group keeps continuity in place, Jacen will eventually turn to the dark side, become Darth Caedus, kill Mara Jade and then be killed himself by his twin sister, Jaina.

This of course makes for awkward family get togethers on Life Day.

Now you are up to date on all that might have been between Star Wars VI and Star Wars VII.

Whether it all stays that way remains to be seen.