Lucasfilm Ltd.
May the 4th be with you, or also known as Star Wars Day, a celebration awaited by millions of fans who come together to celebrate one of the most beloved mythologies in cinema
On December 23, 1977, movie theaters around the world received the first film in a saga that for four decades has captivated millions of fans, Star Wars, who have made May 4 of each year as the day May the 4th be with you.
Star Wars Day is a popular fan-initiated annual tradition that Lucasfilm has fully embraced, heightening the spirit of shared fandom with charitable activities, new content, parties and much more.
The messages of May the 4th be with you, which arises from the phonetic association of the English phrase “May the Force be with you” (“May the Force be with you”).
A story born in a galaxy far, far away?
As unbelievable as it may seem, the idea for “May the 4th” did not come from Lucasfilm, the film company that created the film has fully embraced the spirit of fandom that makes the day so special.
One of the earliest known records of the use of the phrase “May the 4th” in popular culture is from 1979, as described in this excerpt by author Alan Arnold when chronicling the making of The Empire Strikes Back for Lucasfilm:
“Margaret Thatcher won the election and became the first woman to serve as Prime Minister of Great Britain. To celebrate her victory, her party ran a half-page ad in the London Evening News. This message, referring to her victory day, was: “May the 4th Be With You, Maggie. Congratulations”, another proof of how much STAR WARS has influenced all of us.
The empire joins forces
On October 30, 2012, Lucasfilm grabbed the front pages of all the newspapers on the planet, since after an amazing negotiation, the extensive Star Wars mythology was now part of the Walt Disney Company companies.
With this move, Star Wars not only expanded its horizons to new media, it also returned to movie theaters with a new trilogy that closed Skywalker’s story.
While the internet allowed fans around the world to connect with each other, May 4th quickly became a staple tradition each year, now known as “Star Wars Day.”
From 1979 to the present day, Star Wars fans have made May 4 their day, honoring a galaxy far, far away.
Source: Lucasfilm