Alderaanian

Alderaanians were natives, mostly Human, of the planet Alderaan. Notable members included Bail Organa, Leia Organa Solo, Tycho Celchu, Winter Celchu, Ulic Qel-Droma, Cay Qel-Droma, Wade Vox, and Raymus Antilles. They were celebrated as a peaceful and cultured race, with a long-standing involvement in galactic politics.

When the Death Star destroyed Alderaan, millions died. Thousands of Alderaanians survived the destruction of their homeworld because they were away on business or because they lived and worked in other star systems. Many of these survivors became some of the Alliance's most dedicated soldiers, motivated either by a desire for revenge or to prevent the Empire from destroying more worlds. A handful, however, became some of the Empire's most fanatical supporters, blaming Bail Organa's involvement with the Alliance for the destruction of everything and everyone they loved.

The surviving people returned to the wreckage, known as the Graveyard, to leave presents and pay respect to the ones who died there. Many former residents of Alderaan moved to a new planet, named New Alderaan. A colony of Alderaanians on Ejolus was wiped out after the Imperial Star Destroyer Reprisal tracked them down and destroyed the entire settlement. The destruction of Alderaan by the Empire caused thousands of Alderaanians who were off-world to immediately join the Rebellion, and the majority of Alderaanians serving in the Imperial military promptly defected or subtly aided the Rebellion from within.

Text and facts from the “Alderaanian/Legends” article on Wookieepedia, licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0. Modified for this site.