On the anniversary of the Empire’s founding, Lothalites assembled for a salute to the Emperor and his military might – a pageant that was interrupted by an audacious act of sabotage by Kanan’s rebel cell.

A single communications tower controlled by the Empire connected Lothal with the rest of the galaxy. Grand Moff Tarkin ordered the tower destroyed to stop a rebel broadcast, cutting off the planet. This drastic step meant information could only move to and from the planet in the memory banks of courier droids.

Intent on crushing all resistance, the Empire increased its military presence on Lothal and further restricted freedoms, while accelerating the planet’s industrial transformation.