In the 16th century, the Bajorans explored the system using lightships. (DS9: "Explorers") The Bajoran system became one of the most strategically important locations in the quadrant following the discovery of the Bajoran wormhole in 2369. (DS9: "Emissary") In 2372, the Klingon Empire attempted to secretly place a cloaked minefield around the Bajoran system, which would have allowed them to cut it off from the galaxy. The minefield was discovered and detonated by the crew of the USS Defiant. (DS9: "Sons of Mogh")