Jean-Luc Picard was born to Maurice and Yvette Picard^[9] in La Barre, France, on July 13, 2305, and dreamed of joining Starfleet.^[10] He failed his first Starfleet Academy entrance exam, but was subsequently admitted and became the first freshman to win the Academy marathon.^[10] His academic training in archaeology is mentioned in several TNG episodes. Shortly after graduation, Picard was stabbed in the heart by a Nausicaan, leaving the organ irreparable and requiring replacement with a parthenogenetic implant; this would prove near-fatal later.^[10] Picard eventually served as first officer aboard the USS Stargazer, which he later commanded.^[10] During that time, he invented a starship combat maneuver that would become known as the Picard Maneuver.