Order 66

Profile

Order 66 is the recorded command that turned the Galactic Republic into the Galactic Empire in a single night. Through inhibitor chips, clone troopers across the galaxy were forced to execute their Jedi generals.

Decades of preparation

Long before the Clone Wars, the clones on Kamino had been outfitted with inhibitor chips that turned every clone into a sleeper-assassin against Jedi. Palpatine had planned this command from the beginning.

The night itself

At the end of Episode III, Palpatine speaks the words “Execute Order 66” through holo-communications. Within seconds, Jedi were killed on Felucia (Aayla Secura), Mygeeto (Ki-Adi-Mundi), Saleucami (Stass Allie) and Cato Neimoidia (Plo Koon).

Coruscant

On Coruscant, Anakin Skywalker, now Darth Vader, led the 501st Legion into the Jedi Temple. Padawans, Initiates and Sentinels were slaughtered. Only a handful — including Yoda, Obi-Wan Kenobi, Cal Kestis, Caleb Dume (Kanan) and Cere Junda — survived.

The survivors

Order 66 produced an entire generation of hidden Jedi: Quinlan Vos, Kelleran Beq, Kanan Jarrus, Cere Junda, Cal Kestis, Eno Cordova. The Inquisitorius was created to hunt these survivors.

Why it matters

Order 66 is the pivot of the whole saga. Without it, no Empire, no Vader, no Rebellion.