Operation Knightfall

Operation Knightfall is a significant event in the Star Wars universe, depicted in the movie "Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith". It refers to the systematic and brutal eradication of the Jedi Order carried out under the orders of Darth Sidious, also known as Emperor Palpatine. This forms one of the pivotal plot points in the transformation of Anakin Skywalker into the Sith Lord Darth Vader.

The series of events was set in motion by the declaration of Order 66 by Palpatine. This was a plan embedded into the clone troopers through their inhibitor chips, essentially programming them to execute their Jedi Generals without question. Operation Knightfall, however, was more specific and was the responsibility of Anakin Skywalker who had just been appointed to the Sith by Sidious and newly renamed Darth Vader.

Darth Vader led the 501st Legion, a group of Elite Clone Troopers assigned to him, in a siege upon the Jedi temple on Coruscant. The attack was designed to be executed simultaneously with the rest of Order 66 across the galaxy, causing disarray amongst the Jedi and reducing their chances of successful resistance.

The attack was devastatingly successful. Vader and the 501st stormed the temple, eliminating all Jedi within, including the younglings. This event was particularly chilling as it marks Anakin's point of no return on his path to becoming Darth Vader. The Jedi archives were secured and the beacon that called all Jedi back to the Temple was reprogrammed to warn them to stay away.

Following the assault, Darth Sidious declared himself Emperor, marking the transition from the democratic Galactic Republic to the authoritarian Galactic Empire. Few Jedi survived Operation Knightfall and those who did were scattered and pursued relentlessly, igniting the events of the subsequent original trilogy.

Operation Knightfall was the monstrous first step in the Jedi Purge, highlighting the ruthlessness of the Emperor and the fall from grace of Anakin Skywalker. It marked the end of the Jedi Order and the Republic, setting in motion the reign of the Empire and the subsequent rebellion led by the remaining Jedi and their allies.