Every year on May 4th, Star Wars fans across the globe celebrate Star Wars Day, a holiday that honors George Lucas’ iconic science fiction franchise. The day itself carries significance for those who love the space opera series, as it is a pun on the phrase “May the Force be with you,” one of its best-known quotes.
The true beginnings of this event are somewhat hazy; however, the initial recorded use of “May the Fourth Be With You” occurred in 1979 within a Star Wars context. An advertisement placed by a British newspaper to congratulate Margaret Thatcher on becoming Prime Minister included this line: “May the Fourth Be With You, Maggie. Congratulations.”
This clever play on words quickly caught on among fans and began to spread through word-of-mouth and grassroots celebrations. Although Lucas Films—the company responsible for creating Star Wars—did not officially recognize this date as being associated with their franchise, many people still used it as an opportunity to show their love for all things Star Wars.
While not recognized globally as an official holiday, May 4th has certainly become significant within certain circles due entirely to too much time spent in front of televisions watching movies set ‘a long time ago in a galaxy far away.’
For marketing, some companies use the date and release special editions of their products; others may give discounts on Star Wars items or hold events around a certain theme. On social media, Star Wars is everywhere: people post their favorite parts, characters, or even just memories from watching it.
In 2019, May 4th wasn’t just any other day that fans celebrate Star Wars by saying “May the Fourth Be With You” — it was officially recognized by the California State Legislature as “Star Wars Day” in the state. It was already a holiday for lovers of this franchise but this move made sure everybody knows about it too!
The thing about celebrating Star Wars Day is that there isn’t really any wrong way to do so! Some people might have movie marathons while others participate in online forums discussing different aspects of these films; still more may opt for cosplay events closer home followed by yet another watching session with all episodes from one’s favorite TV shows aired during previous years – which could also lead into reading up on various stories set within George Lucas’ universe.
