Star Trek: The Next Generation famously featured a children-focused Captain Picard Day on the Enterprise, but did the good captain ever follow through on his playful threat to enact a Commander Riker Day? Captain Picard Day was originally introduced in the TNG season 7 episode "The Pegasus." That episode is one of the darker installments of the series, featuring a serious breach of trust between Picard and Riker that threatens the latter's career.
Despite the heaviness of the episode, "The Pegasus" starts off on a light note. The children of the Enterprise-D are celebrating Captain Picard Day, with Picard and Counselor Deanna Troi reviewing the kids' arts and crafts entries for the holiday. Picard is visibly uncomfortable with the whole affair, which is in no way helped by Riker putting on his best Picard impression while wielding a doll of the captain. Picard would playfully respond by threatening to enact a Commander Riker Day to similarly embarrass his trusted first officer.
Why Commander Riker Day May Not Have Happened
There's no evidence that Commander Riker Day ever happened, possibly due in part to the events of "The Pegasus." Riker's old commanding officer, iral Eric Pressman, comes aboard the Enterprise with orders to track down the USS Pegasus, the ship they both served on that was lost under mysterious circumstances. Riker is reluctant to share details of the mission where the Pegasus was lost with Picard, leading to a rare rift between the two men.
It's eventually revealed that Pressman was conducting illegal experiments on the Pegasus to develop a Federation cloaking device, in clear violation of galactic treaty. The dangerous experiments resulted in a mutiny on the Pegasus; a young Ensign Riker sided with Pressman and fled the ship just before an accident killed everyone onboard and left the Pegasus phased within an asteroid. Riker eventually comes clean, resulting in the end of Pressman's career and a severe blow to Riker's. Under such dire circumstances, it would make sense that Picard would be reluctant to designate a lighthearted holiday for his wounded first officer.
Captain Picard Day Celebrated In Star Trek (& The Real World)
While Picard feigned annoyance at the time, Captain Picard Day clearly meant something to him. When he visited his quantum archive in the series premiere of Picard always claimed to be uncomfortable around children, but he also repeatedly displayed a soft spot for the younger denizens of the Enterprise-D.
Similar to First Day, Star Trek fans in real life have taken to celebrating Captain Picard Day. The holiday is celebrated every year on June 16th, as that date corresponds with the stardate of "The Pegasus." Star Trek: The Next Generation has left an enduring legacy on science fiction and pop culture at large, so it's no surprise that Captain Picard Day has entered the cultural lexicon.