Cestus III

Cestus III was a planet near the border between the United Federation of Planets and the Gorn Hegemony. It was first charted by Captain Christopher Pike of the starship Enterprise in the mid-2250s. (Star Trek: Pendragon)

In 2267, the Federation established an outpost there, unaware of Gorn claims in that region of space. The outpost was destroyed by the Gorn, with the loss of all personnel, despite the efforts of an accidental time traveler from the 24th century. (TOS: "Arena"; TNG novel: Requiem)

Following intervention by the Metrons, the Gorn ceded Cestus III to the Federation. The planet was resettled in 2271 and became a thriving colony world over the course of the next century, with several cities springing up across the planet, including Pike City (the capital), Johnson City, Lakeside, New Chicago, Palombo, Port Shangri-La, and Prairieville, and eventually was elevated above its colony status to become a Federation member in its own right. (Star Trek: Star Charts; TNG novel: Articles of the Federation)

Cestus experienced a significant population explosion in 2370 when, following the formal end of the Cardassian Wars, Cestus III accepted a quarter-million people displaced by the establishment of the Demilitarized Zone. (TNG novel: A Time for War, A Time for Peace, Star Trek: Pendragon) In 2371, a coup d'etat on the Gorn homeworld led the rebellious warrior caste to launch an invasion of Cestus. The rebellion was short-lived, however, and Gorn forces withdrew to their own territory. (TNG comic book: The Gorn Crisis)

The old Earth sport baseball saw a renaissance on Cestus III that same year, with the establishment of the Cestus Baseball League. (DS9: "Family Business")

In 2379, Cestus Governor Nanietta Bacco launched a successful campaign for the office of President of the United Federation of Planets, following the unexpected resignation of her predecessor, President Min Zife.

President Bacco returned to Cestus III to throw out the first pitch of the 2380 Cestus Baseball League season. President Bacco was an avid follower of the Pike City Pioneers. (A Time for War, A Time for Peace; Articles of the Federation)

Pendragon timeline
Cestus III was a major battlefield during the Federation-Gorn Conflict of the late 2370s. Gorn forces layed seige to the planet for six weeks before Starfleet was able to drive them off. (Star Trek: Pendragon)