‘Outlander’ Celebrates 5 Years — 8 of the Show’s Time-Defining Moments (PHOTOS)

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OUTLANDER time gallery cover
Starz
Outlander 2014
Starz

A World at War

While World War II was over by the time viewers meet Claire and Frank, their involvement is a testament to who they become later on. When Claire specifically pursues her medical career after serving as a nurse in the armed forces, it’s clear that the 1940s left a mark on her.

Outlander Season 2 2016
Starz

A Time of Kings

During Claire and Jamie’s visit to France, they spend a lot of time among the French courtiers and a few occasions with King Louis XV. Although the courts aren’t specific to 1740s France, Claire and Jamie’s experiences there are yet another example of their brushes with history.

Outlander Season 3
Starz

Battle of Culloden

All of Season 2 was building up to the show’s biggest battle, which ultimately separated Jamie and Claire for a couple of decades. Apart from Jamie’s long-awaited killing of Jack Randall at the beginning of Season 3, the event sets a path for his life moving forward without Claire — and not necessarily for the better.

Outlander Season 3 2017
Starz

Trailblazing

At the end of the 1950s, Claire enrolls in medical school to become a physician and meets fellow student Joe Abernathy, who becomes a quick friend. Although it’s clear that the white male majority aren’t thrilled with their presence, Claire and Joe’s persistence is proof of the changing times, which have been a staple of the show.

Outlander Season 2 2016
Starz

Social Movements

The 1960s made way for multiple social movements, and during Claire and Brianna’s trip to Scotland, Bree and Roger encounter Geilis Duncan (a.k.a. Gillian Edgars) who is giving a passionate speech on behalf of the Society of the White Rose — a Scottish nationalist group.

Outlander Season 3 2017
Starz

Reaching New Heights

Before Claire leaves the “present” to find Jamie back in the past after 20 years apart, she stands witness to the 1969 moon landing. This event is an example of the big juxtapositions between the show’s two parallel timelines.

Outlander Season 3 2017
Starz

Dark Times

During the show’s third season, Jamie and Claire were exposed to the slave trade in Jamaica, witnessing the brutality invovled. Considering Claire’s understanding of the time, the submersion is all the more sickening, but important nonetheless in history.

Outlander Season 4 2018
Starz

American Revolution

From Murtagh’s regulators to Claire and Jamie’s run-in with George Washington, the hum of revolution is in the American air. The Frasers’ set-up in North Carolina only puts them in the middle of the country’s most historical time.

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Outlander may have existed in book form for more than two decades, but the Starz television series has just hit a huge milestone — five years on air.

That’s right, the time-traversing love story of Jamie (Sam Heughan) and Claire (Caitriona Balfe) has been on the air since August 9, 2014, and we’re celebrating by taking a look at some of the show’s most “historical” moments and eras. Since the show is all about transcending time and history, what better way is there to commemorate the series premiere by highlighting those different times.

From Claire’s work as a nurse in the 1940s to her and Jamie’s ties to the American revolution, their connection to some of the world’s biggest historical events are incredible. Take a walk down memory lane by clicking through the gallery above to see which eras from Outlander have been defining for our characters and more.

Plus, see stars Heughan and Balfe ring in the anniversary with the adorable video message below.

Outlander, Season 5, 2020, Starz