One-quarter of a century–a generation by some measures. Yes, it was 25 years ago today that Independence Fleet was founded with three sims and, by our best records, 33 total characters. But for our 108 characters today, we first have a very special message straight from the 24th century (don’t ask how we got it):
- Independence Fleet 25th Anniversary Message #1 (YouTube)
- Independence Fleet 25th Anniversary Message #1 (mp4)
While we celebrate our 25th anniversary, the United States (where many members of this fleet hail from) commemorates its 250th. Since our club’s founding shares a date with U.S. Independence Day, our early branding often included American flags. As a piece of trivia, we owe our name to co-founder, three-time Commander-in-Chief, and Hall of Famer James D. West. He happened to glance at either a VHS or DVD copy of the movie Independence Day while we were trying to come up with a name for this soon-to-be-launched fleet. The rest is well, history! The Liberty Bell image was added a couple years later in 2003, again by James D. West, and it has stuck ever since.
To our friends up north, we also acknowledge the recent Canada Day. To our friends elsewhere in the Commonwealth realms, we salute you–your King was here less than three months ago. Finally, to our friends at other locations on the globe, we rotate with you!
Back to today! We have now been around for exactly one-tenth as long as the United States. Moving backward in time 25 years before our 2001 founding would put you right on the July 4, 1976 bicentennial. Who remembers the bicentennial quarters? In that spirit, we have created this one-time challenge coin in honor of our 25 years together as a fleet, which will be provided free of charge to all fleet members.
All current fleet members as of today are also hereby awarded the Anniversary Medal.
We’re not done yet! We have another message for the fleet from a very special guest (this one is from the present!):
- Independence Fleet 25th Anniversary Message #2 (YouTube)
- Independence Fleet 25th Anniversary Message #2 (mp4)
We had an entire page in our 20th Anniversary Almanac dedicated to Gott’s Doomsday Scenario. Back then, there was an 80% chance that we would still be here today. Well, here we are! If you remember, the concept is that absent additional information, an observer (i.e., you) has a 50% chance of being in the first half of what they are observing (i.e., IDF) and a 50% chance of being in the second half of what they are observing. Based on that, here are our updated numbers for Anniversary #25:
| Date | Probability that IDF is still active |
| October 4, 2026 | 99% |
| October 27, 2027 | 95% |
| April 13, 2029 | 90% |
| November 2, 2034 | 75% |
| July 4, 2051 | 50% |
| July 4, 2101 | 25% |
| July 4, 2251 | 10% |
| July 3, 2501 | 5% |
| June 28, 4501 | 1% |
Until next year, or June 28th, 4501, let’s keep simming!
