This day in 2002 marked the last original telecast of The X-Files, one of Fox's most popular shows. The science fiction series starred David Duchovny and Gillian Anderson as FBI special agents assigned to investigate unsolved cases that involved paranormal and unexplained phenomena.

Duchovny's character, Fox Mulder, believed in the paranormal and the existence of extraterrestrials. Anderson's Dana Scully was a skeptic who looked to science for solid explanations. Despite their differences the two develop a tight and trusting bond, and eventually become romantically involved. It was one of TV's many, more successful variations on the Sherlock Holmes-Dr. Watson theme, and this time Scully's Watson-like character was a doctor.

The X-Files enjoyed tremendous pop-culture success during its nine-year run. The show's slogans — "The Truth is Out There," "Trust No One" and "I Want to Believe" — became popular catch phrases. X-Files merchandise filled store shelves, and its stars became international celebrities.

The show spawned two feature films, 1998's The X-Files: Fight the Future and 2008's The X-Files: I Want to Believe.