Fandom Timeline
"It's kind of how we pass the time."
This page is about fandom history. Do not take this as a guide of how to act or what to expect from a modern fandom space.
This page serves as a timeline regarding events in the fandom and franchise. This will include publication dates for fics, fan meetups, events, and further instances of fandom activity. If you find a historical event (establishment of a livejournal group? a panel at a convention? announcement of a new theme park ride?), please let us know!
Prehistory
1993: Milan Trenc writes The Night at the Museum.
Era One
22 December 2006: The first film is released worldwide.
9 January 2007: The first fic for the series is written: Drawing Contest by xxmyfearsmylies, originally posted to LiveJournal. This is the official start of the fandom, and Era 1 begins.
22 May 2009: Battle of the Smithsonian releases.
19 December 2014: Secret of the Tomb releases.
Era Two
1 January 2015: Era Two officially begins, bringing an end to Era One.
10 April 2015: Lightning in a Bottle begins publication.
June - October 2015: The NatM Big Bang is organized.
Era Three
March 2020: The COVID-19 Lockdowns go into effect around the world, and people retreat into nostalgia while in quarantine. This begins Era Three.
2021: The NatMusical is revealed by Levy, with songs composed by Alan Menken.
22 November 2021: Any Weather begins publication.
8 February 2022: Night at the Museum: Midnight Mayhem opens at Genting SkyWorlds in Malaysia.
July 2022: The NatM Fanzine is made, raising over 8,000 Euros for charity.
9 December 2022: Kahmunrah Rises Again releases, beginning the animated continuity.
13 February 2023: The inaugural NatM Week is held, and over 40 works were created.
1 June 2023: The NatM Search is established.
13 October 2023: The first NatM Weekend is held.
2024: Midnight Mayhem closes down, as does the gift shop, after a fire burns most of the facility.
9 July 2025: The NatM Reboot is officially announced.
7 July 2026: Midnight Mayhem reopens after extensive repairs.
Era Four
Late 2020s/Early 2030s?: The new project, likely the NatMusical, releases, beginning Era 4.