Timeline

The nation of Panem succeeded the USA, known as the "mother-nation". The years prior to nuclear war are known as the Primal Years. Most information regarding the war and previous nation were destroyed overtime by both the USA and it's enemies, and the leaders of the nation that followed: Panem.
The history of Panem is recorded here. The timeline mostly uses two significant events to differentiate time: Before the Treaty of Treason (BTT) and After the Treaty of Treason (ATT).
*World map after the Bunker Era*

## Early History

**513 BTT (2087)**

In what we would know as the year 2087, mass planetary changes took place (including droughts, storms, fires, and rising sea levels, which all lead to widespread resource shortages), leading to war over resources, ending in eventual nuclear war - the end of the USA and most nations. Those who survived were hidden away in bunkers and/or underground installations.

* The United States operated 4 of these bunkers officially:
	+ the Cheyenne Mountain Complex (housed a contingent of US government officials and their immediate families who would become the main basis of The Capitol and the leadership of Panem)
	+ Greenbrier Bunker (Located in present day District 12)
	+ Offutt Air Force Base (Located in present day District 9)
	+ Selfridge Air National Guard Base (Located in proximity to District 3, District 6, and District 13)
* Canada operated two of these bunkers officially:
	+ Canadian Forces Base North Bay
	+ Canadian Forces Base Borden
		- Both of these housed most of the descendants of District 13, initially a settlement called Cineris.
* Mexico was known to have only two bunkers in the entire country, one of them being owned by the government.
	+ Base Aérea Militar No. 13, located in Chihuahua (Located in present day District 10)
	+ The people who sheltered here would later become the founders of El Rancho, the predecessor to Districts 10 and 11.
* Other such bunkers existed across the globe, but are either unknown or ignored by Panem.
* Other privately owned and much smaller bunkers existed in North America. Some didn't survive the fallout, some emerged too soon, some died in their bunkers, but some survived to become an emergent settlement. Later, many of these were annexed by Panem or Cineris, and then totally by Panem after the alliance between Cineris and Panem was forged.

After the conflicts, smoke and debris filled the atmosphere, destroyed the ozone layer, and drastically lowered earth’s temperature, causing a mini ice age that lasted several hundred years.
For decades, the surviving humans lived in their bunkers and underground installations, reduced further by disease and starvation. Gradually, the ozone layer recovered and ecosystems followed, but not before humanity had gone from around 10 billion to a world population of less than 25 million.

## Bunker Era

**513 BTT - 70 BTT (2087-2530)**

* The aforementioned Cheyenne Mountain Complex was one of two US bunkers that were designed to house the US government.
	+ Designed to assume military command in the event of cataclysmic events, Cheyenne was intended to be under the command of the US Secretary of Defense, the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs, or the Secretary of Homeland Security.
	+ However, all three of these officials failed to enter the facility by the time it was closed off after the initial nuclear launches. Instead, Speaker of the House Jack (Fitzgerald Kennedy) Schlossberg (son of John Schlossberg) became the commanding official of the complex. The highest ranking official at in the bunker, Schlossberg became the defacto leader. He was intended to bunker at Greenbrier but a forced landing as it became apparent he wouldn't reach the East Coast in time resulted in his presence here.
* The second bunker intended, to house the executive branch, was the Mount Weather Emergency Operations Center.
	+ The bunker was overtaken by rising sea levels and subsequently the target of several nuclear detonations.
	+ The bunker's integrity was compromised and all inside perished, including US President Margaret Hager (daughter of Jenna Bush Hager) and her Vice President Walker Pierson.
* Offutt AFB and Greenbrier Bunker housed the judicial and legislative branches, respectively. The legislative branch, cut off from the commander-in-chief and unable to work together, decided to wait out the conflict and return to the surface in a generation. Against the advice of advisers in the Greenbrier bunker, they unsealed themselves in 2190, killing most of their inhabitants. What remained would become the main contingent of District 12 decades later.

* Meanwhile, self-appointed and recognized by military leaders, now-President Schlossberg ordered frequent radiation monitoring and a tight work-day schedule. With military leaders giving input, the president divided the bunker inhabitants into a few groups to focus on the safety of the bunker, the wellbeing of its inhabitants, a higher quality of bunker life, and plans for the new world once the group emerged from the bunker.

* Selfridge Air National Guard Base, located in Michigan and the smallest of the four bases, was home to a seed arc, a genetic database, a vast collection of animal remains, tissues, primary cells, sperm, eggs, embryos and genetic material, the archives for the United States Patent and Trademark Office, and several influential pieces of art, literature, and history. Scientists managed to raise multiple species of animal, mostly for consumption. However, one scientist successfully grew a wolf-pup, testing their abilities to create life.
	+ The base famously housed the oldest copy of the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution. Ran by historians, scientists, and businessmen, Selfridge became the most comfortable and functional of the 4 bunkers. The bunker inhabitants eventually emerged and formed the settlement of Selfridge.

## Settlement Era

### Founding of Panem

**67 BTT (2533)**

* In 67 BTT, after receiving optimistic reports of air quality, President Julius Castrumonte (descendant of President Jack Schlossberg) orders 2 Bunker Keepers (soldiers tasked with the upkeep of the bunker) to the surface. Castrumonte and his second in command, General Barrak Ravenstill, lead their bunker-colony to the surface after the two Bunker Keepers return alive and well.

* Many generations detached from their US ancestors, the group had developed their own, new culture, way of life, and societal castes. Their complex had housed a large amount of electronic and physical information that was safely stored and recoverable (though not all), hence technology for hovercraft and forcefields being available but not machinery and computers that would replace much of the manual labor in the eventual districts. (However, a lot more of this technology and machinery was housed at the Selfridge site and used by the colony that emerged from there.)

* Panem was founded in the Rocky Mountains, specifically on Cheyenne Mountain of the Rampart Range, established by the survivors living in the Cheyenne Mountain complex. President Castrumonte ordered a settlement to be started and began to direct operations. The populace, however, had grown weary by the centuries of work under the direction of their leaders and desired freedom.

One evening, as President Castrumonte and General Ravenstill discussed their new settlement and the issues they faced, Castrumonte mused, "We've kept them busy all this time, they did what they were told. Now, they see a whole world before them and think they don't need to be so busy. General, we need them to understand that if they don't stick with us, they'll die."
General Ravenstill, looking up from his book *Brave New World*, smiled to his commander-in-chief. "Sir, I've been waiting for this day. Reading about our past, planning for the future. I have the solution, but it's going to sound downright evil."
He turned to a marked page, handed the President the book and pointed to a highlighted quote. The president read silently for a moment.
*It is possible to make people contented with their servitude. I think this can be done. I think it has been done in the past. I think it could be done even more effectively now because you can provide them with bread and circuses and you can provide them with endless amounts of distractions and propaganda.*
Scrawled in the margins of the page was one phrase: ***Panem et circenses*** and then a short sentence. *Feed them and convince them they're busy.*
* And so their colony was named Panem and their citizens were kept busy and fed.

### Elsewhere in North America

* The two Canadian bunkers, CFB Borden and CFB North Bay, in close proximity to one another, had managed to maintain communications with each other and worked together through the bunker era to make plans for the future.

* Antione King, a descendant of a previous Canadian politician, had assumed the role of Governor of the larger bunker, North Bay. In cooperation with the occupants of Borden, he had governed by proxy through Anessa Gauthier, a scientist working in Borden.

* Regularly sending recon drones to the surface world, the Canadians quickly realized their American counterparts in the Cheyanne Mountains had emerged from their bunker. Wanting to be careful, Governor Antoine (as he liked to be called, considering Governor King sounded authoritarian) kept his people underground for an extra two months while they observed the other settlement with interest.

* Finally, in the winter of 67 BTT, Borden and North Bay unsealed their doors and explored the surface. They quickly sheltered back in place as the cold winter approached, making plans for their settlement in the spring.

* By the spring of 66 BTT, Governor Antoine had plans in place for his people to immediately begin constructing their settlement above their bunker, keeping their main base of operations within the safe-haven. They named their colony Cineris - from the ashes.

* In southern North America, only Trece, the nuclear bunker located at Base Aérea Militar No. 13, had survived the bunker era.
	+ Diego Luiz Santos, the governor general of the bunker, led the people of Trece. A few months after their northern neighbors had emerged from underground isolation, Governor General Santos brought his people to the surface. In the bunker years, his people had raised generations of cattle, eating healthily and using the cattle for many purposes. The people of Trece named their new settlement El Rancho de Nuestra Salvación - The Ranch of our Salvation. They nicknamed the settlement El Rancho. The people of El Rancho were by far one of the more simpler settlements, living off the land and refraining from much technological advancement.

### The New Era

**68 BTT - 30 BTT (2534-2572)**

* As the surviving population emerged from the bunkers, they faced the harsh reality of the devastated world. The surface was still contaminated with radiation, and the climate had drastically changed. The survivors had to adapt quickly to the new conditions.
* The bunker inhabitants faced various challenges, including the need to establish sustainable food sources, deal with mutated wildlife, and navigate the remnants of the once-thriving cities. Many of the initial surface expeditions were led by scientists, military personnel, and leaders who had expertise in different fields.
* In the early years after emerging from the bunkers, the survivors faced internal conflicts and power struggles. The transition from the strict bunker life to the uncertainties of the surface created tensions among the population. President Julius Castrumonte and General Barrak Ravenstill had to assert their authority to maintain order and lead the people of Panem through the challenges of rebuilding.
* Selfridge, having housed a diverse collection of genetic material, played a crucial role in the re-establishment of ecosystems. Scientists from Selfridge worked tirelessly to reintroduce various species into the wild, aiming to restore balance to the environment. The successful cultivation of crops and the revival of animal populations were significant achievements during this period.
* The settlements that emerged from the bunkers faced the daunting task of connecting with one another. Communication was reestablished between them, and plans for collaboration and trade began to take shape. This marked the early stages of forming alliances that would later play a role in the geopolitical landscape of Panem.
* The surviving bunkers, including those that were initially ignored or unknown by Panem, started to communicate and share resources. The exchange of knowledge and technology became essential for the collective survival of the emerging societies.
* Panem's leadership implemented strict measures to control the population and maintain order. The concept of societal castes, which had developed during the bunker era, was reinforced to ensure everyone had a designated role in the rebuilding process. This period saw the establishment of the first rudimentary forms of what would later become the Districts.
* In 30 BTT, Panem annexed Selfridge, promising their leaders a place in Panem's government in return. A fire broke out in the Selfridge archives that destroyed several ancient artifacts, including the Declaration of Independence and nearly an entire library of ancient literature. The archivists for Selfridge were devastated and Selfridge investigators discovered the possibility of foul play. The leaders of Selfridge attempted to pull out of the Panem Pact, but were threatened with genocide and the razing of Selfridge. With this threat made, they reluctantly remained a part of Panem.

* El Rancho continued to raise generations of ranchers and farmers, living off the land and using everything they took from it. The people of El Rancho were very spiritual and simple, by far the more peaceful people on the continent.

## The Dawn of Panem

### 27 BTT (2575)

* In 27 BTT, Panem began the formal establishment of the Districts. Districts 1 and 2 were the first to be formed, initially serving as resource production hubs for the growing nation. District 1 focused on luxury goods and precious metals, while District 2 became the primary source of stone and minerals.
* The establishment of Districts 1 and 2 marked the beginning of a new era for Panem, as the leadership sought to organize the population into specialized roles to maximize efficiency and resource extraction. Citizens of each District were assigned specific tasks and occupations, laying the foundation for the strict societal structure that would characterize Panem.
* Travel between the Districts was still allowed and even encouraged during this period. The government aimed to foster collaboration and trade to ensure the prosperity of the entire nation. However, the seeds of inequality and discontent were sown as the Capitol's influence began to grow.

### 25 BTT (2577)

* District 3 was formed in 25 BTT, focusing on technology and innovation. The citizens of District 3 were tasked with developing and maintaining advanced technologies for the benefit of Panem. This District played a crucial role in the development of hovercraft, forcefields, and other advancements that would later be used in the Hunger Games.

### 23 BTT (2579)

* Districts 4 and 5 were established in 23 BTT. District 4 became the center for fishing and aquatic resources, providing Panem with a vital source of food. District 5 specialized in the production of electricity, contributing to the nation's growing technological capabilities.

### 21 BTT (2581)

* Under the insistence of leaders from the Selfridge settlement, District 6 was formed in 21 BTT, focusing on transportation and communication. This District played a key role in maintaining the connections between the growing number of Districts and facilitating trade.

### 20 BTT (2582)

* Districts 7, 8, and 9 were formed in 19 BTT to address specific resource needs. District 7 focused on lumber and forestry, District 8 on coal, and District 9 on grain production. These Districts became essential components of Panem's economic system.

### 19 BTT (2583)

* Panem annexed El Rancho under the promise of letting them keep their simple lifestyles as long as they supplied food exports to the Capitol. The people of El Rancho weren't particularly happy with the arrangement, but agreed, preferring peace.
* El Rancho became Districts 10 and 11, combining with some land the Capitol had already ranched and farmed on south of Districts 2, 5, and 8.

### 17 BTT (2585) - Alliance with Cineris

* During this time, Panem sought to expand its influence, and an alliance was formed with Cineris, a settlement that had emerged from the Canadian bunkers. Cineris encompassed the areas that would later become Districts 12 and 13. The alliance was initially based on mutual cooperation, and Panem provided assistance to Cineris in rebuilding and establishing communities.
* However, through political maneuvering and deception, Panem managed to annex Cineris into its territory. The leaders of Cineris resisted the division of their lands into smaller Districts and negotiated to become District 13. Greenbrier, a significant part of the former Cineris, was designated as District 12, responsible for coal production. District 8 became the textile District.

### 17-10 BTT (2585-2592)

* President Julius Castrumonte's successor, General Ravenstill's son Harris Ravenstill, moved quickly to consolidate Panem's power. Under his leadership, Panem transformed into a well-organized machine, using each District to supply resources to the Capitol. The citizens of the Districts faced increasingly harsh conditions and stringent control from the Capitol.
* Travel was now restricted without documentation and permission given by Peace Keepers, renamed to Peacekeepers. They were effectively the Army of Panem, the ground force and police-militia that served the President.

## The Dark Days

### 3 BTT (2599) - Outbreak of War

* Resistance began to brew among the citizens of District 13, who had maintained an ancient nuclear arsenal throughout their history. Seeking better treatment and equality from Panem's government, District 13 leaders faced opposition from President Harris Ravenstill.
* District 13 attempted to utilize its nuclear arsenal as a bargaining chip, but failed. The conflict escalated, leading to widespread unrest and rebellion in various Districts.
* District 13 fueled the flames of rebellion, trying to pry districts free from Panem control.
* President Ravenstill declared war on District 13, marking the beginning of the Dark Days.

### 2 BTT (2600) - The Rebel Uprising

* The rebellion gained momentum as District 13, armed with its ancient nuclear arsenal, provided crucial support to the other districts in their fight against the Capitol. The rebels effectively challenged the Capitol's forces for the first year of the conflict. With District 13's military prowess and strategic advantage, they inflicted significant damage on the Capitol, both physically and psychologically.
* The rebels decisively gained the upper hand during the second year of the conflict. The Capitol found itself isolated, cut off from external support, leading to widespread famine and poverty among its residents. Families resorted to desperate measures, selling possessions on the black market and, in some extreme cases, resorting to cannibalism for survival.
* In a clever move, the rebels took control of District 5's bomb warning system, allowing them to deceive the Capitol. Fake warnings preceded actual bombings, causing chaos and adding to the Capitol's woes. The rebel forces strategically targeted key infrastructure, disrupting the Capitol's ability to respond effectively.

### 1 TT (2601) - 13 Falls

* Emboldened by their success, the rebel forces made a daring move to invade the Capitol itself. Scaling the challenging terrain of the surrounding Rocky Mountains, the rebels aimed to breach the city. However, the Capitol's Air Force quickly identified their movements and launched devastating counterattacks.
* The rebel invasion proved a costly failure, resulting in a massive loss of manpower. The Capitol's forces managed to repel the rebels before they could breach the city. This significant setback dealt a severe blow to the rebel war effort, tilting the balance in favor of the Capitol.
* Facing the reality that victory was slipping away, District 13 made a desperate and controversial decision. In a bid to secure its own freedom, District 13 decided to abandon the other twelve districts and focus on self-preservation. Plans were unveiled to bomb the Capitol with nuclear weapons, even if it meant mutually assured destruction.
* In secret negotiations with the Capitol, District 13 proposed a ceasefire deal. They agreed to withdraw their forces from the war and stage a scenario where the Capitol appeared to have obliterated District 13. Despite reluctance, the Capitol, fearing the threat of nuclear retaliation, reluctantly accepted the terms.
* As part of the orchestrated illusion, the Capitol's Air Force carried out a devastating bombing of District 13 on the surface. The district's once-thriving settlements were reduced to rubble, furthering the illusion that District 13 had been destroyed.
* With District 13 now out of the conflict, the rebel forces in the remaining districts were left vulnerable. Without the strategic support of District 13, the rebels faced defeat at the hands of the Capitol.
* The Capitol used the decimated ruins of 13 as propaganda, making an example of it as the consequence for rebelling. With the loss of support from District 13, the rebellion collapsed and is overrun by the Capitol. The remaining districts were pacified and reunified under the firm grip of the Capitol.
* The Capitol hoped that without external support, District 13 would wither away. Despite its arsenal of hoarded weaponry, the inhabitants of District 13 struggled to survive, and the once-mighty district found itself in no position to challenge the Capitol again.

## Treaty of Treason and the Hunger Games Eras Begin

**1 ATT (2602)**

* Following the defeat of the districts and the conclusion of the Dark Days, the Capitol crafted the Treaty of Treason, a document designed to institute new laws aimed at ensuring peace and preventing any future uprisings.
	+ The prominent provision of the Treaty of Treason was the establishment of the Hunger Games, an annual event that would serve as a macabre celebration of the districts' defeat. District children aged 12 to 18 would be selected through a lottery, with twenty-four tributes chosen each year—one male and one female from every district. These tributes would then be pitted against each other in a fight to the death within the confines of an arena. The competition would then continue until only one tribute remained, and then he or she would be declared the victor of the Hunger Games. Casca Highbottom conceived the idea, and General Crassus Snow (then a student of the Academy, studying war theory), along with Dr. Volumnia Gaul, played crucial roles in turning this vision into reality.
* The 1st Hunger Games wereheld that July. The Victor was Titan Windsor. This began *The Early Years* of the Games.
	+ The tributes, selected through a flawed census, included notable participants like 11-year-old Tesla Fink (District 5) and 19-year-old Heath Williams (District 7). This was the only Games until the 75th Hunger Games to include tributes older (or younger) than the 12-18 age range instituted by the Treaty of Treason.