Star Wars Day – May The Fourth Be With You

(Last Updated On: May 4, 2018)

Star Wars Day

May the Fourth Be With You

Today, Star Wars fans across the galaxy will celebrate Star Wars Day. It’s May 4th, and when you mix that date with an iconic line from the film franchise, you get ‘May the Fourth Be With You’.

How did a silly pun become its very own cultural phenomenon? The first mention of this phrase appears to have occurred a long time ago in a country not so far away…

Margaret Thatcher had just been elected Prime Minister, and the UK’s Conservative Party issued an ad in the London Evening News to congratulate her. The ad, printed on May 4, 1979, read: ‘May the 4th Be With You, Maggie. Congratulations.’

History of Star Wars Day

Star Wars Day wasn’t born directly from the quote, however. It took lots of help from the internet for the phrase to really catch on. As use of the internet became more widespread, Star Wars fans from around the world could better connect with each other. Over time, an online tradition of making references to Star Wars or ‘May the Fourth Be With You’ on May 4th started to gain traction across various social media platforms.

The first organized celebration of Star Wars Day took place in Toronto, Canada at the Toronto Underground Cinema in 2011. Festivities at this event included a trivia game show, a costume contest, and tons of the web’s best tribute films, parodies, and remixes shown on the big screen.

One of the neat aspects of May the Fourth is that despite its grassroots origins, the day has been embraced by both Lucasfilm, the company that created Star Wars, and Disney, the company that now owns Lucasfilm. Since 2013, Star Wars Day has officially been observed at Disneyland and Walt Disney World, with various events and festivities taking place on the date.

Today, the holiday only continues to grow as new Star Wars films are released. 

So How Can You Celebrate?

The great thing about Star Wars Day is that fans can celebrate any way they want. There are no rules. Some people might watch the films, others might dress up like their favorite characters and attend various Star Wars related festivities. Given the viral nature of the holiday, many will take to social media and post their favorite Star Wars quotes or funny Star Wars memes.

Here are a few quotes and memes you can use for some Star Wars Day inspiration:

  • “Aren’t you a little short for a Stormtrooper?” – Princess Leia
  • “Who’s the more foolish; the fool, or the fool who follows him?” – Obi-Wan Kenobi
  • “IT’S A TRAP!” – Admiral Ackbar
  • “I find your lack of faith disturbing.” – Darth Vader
  • “Why, you stuck up, half-witted, scruffy-looking Nerf herder.” – Princess Leia
  • “And I thought they smelled bad on the outside.” – Han Solo
  • “Try not. Do… or do not. There is no try.” – Yoda
  • “I’m Luke Skywalker? I’m here to rescue you!” – Luke Skywalker
  • “These aren’t the droids you’re looking for.” – Obi-Wan Kenobi
  • “Travelling through hyperspace ain’t like dustin’ crops, boy!” – Han Solo
  • “When 900 years old, you reach… Look as good, you will not.” – Yoda
  • “I have a bad feeling about this.” – Almost Everyone

     

     

Revenge of the Fifth

If you need more than one day to celebrate all things Star Wars, you’re in luck. The following day, May 5th, has come to be called ‘Revenge of the Fifth’. It’s a play on Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith. If you can’t take all the goody-goody Jedi love the day prior, you can use Revenge of the Fifth to celebrate all things Dark Side. But be careful. “Once you start down the dark path, forever will it dominate your destiny, consume you it will.”

Can’t get enough Star Wars? Try earning this special holiday badge – Let the Wookie Win

About the Author:

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Mark Heald is the Managing Editor of Sporcle.com. He enjoys spending time with his family, traveling, and bemoaning the fact the Sonics left Seattle.

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