The year is After Colony 195.

[from VHS vol.1] Shooting Stars
The revolution has begun!

Mankind has moved into space. Thousands of people live on giant orbiting space colonies called 'Sides.' However, the Earth Government, which rules the colonies, is unjust and cruel.
A group of revolutionaries builds five robotic weapons called Gundams and plans to send them to Earth to begin their fight for independence.
Piloted by five young men, these Gundams carry the hopes and dreams of freedom of the colonists with them as they descend to Earth to begin Operation Meteor!

AN: I don't recall the colonies ever being called sides. My memory could be fuzzy.

[from VHS vol. 2] Dark Shadows
Suit Up!

As war looks inevitable, Minister Darlian and his daughter make a trip to the colonies to try one final time for peace. While in space, Relena learns the truth about her identity, but at a terrible cost. Meanwhile, talks of peace have done little to deter the Gundams from continuing their mission of destruction, and now OZ is starting to fight back!

[from VHS vol. 3] The Cold Battlefield
The fight rages on!

With the tragedies on the space colonies, the Earth and the colonies now seem locked in war. The Gundam pilots continue with their deadly missions with cool efficiency. But the scheming Lady Une has set a trap for them, and it's up to Heero to get them out alive.
Meanwhile, the Earth Government collapses under the enormous strain of recent events, clearing the stage for the true enemy's emergence. And, for the first time, the Gundam Wing and Zech's Tallgeese meet on the battlefield.