The earliest year is 1996.
CREATE TABLE table_12077540_1 (year INTEGER)
SELECT MIN(year) FROM table_12077540_1
<s>[INST] Write mssql query to answer the following question given the database schema. Schema: CREATE TABLE table_12077540_1 (year INTEGER) Question: The earliest year is 1996. [/INST] SELECT MIN(year) FROM table_12077540_1 </s>