Its no secret that May is a busy month for everything Star Wars - after settling down after the busy month, Padawan Outpost decided to look into what exactly makes May such a special month, looking into the history of 'May the Fourth be with you' and how it has shaped how we celebrate the amazing world of Star Wars for years to come.
A long time ago in a galaxy not so far away, a beloved phrase from a groundbreaking movie captured the hearts of millions. On May 4th each year, fans of the iconic Star Wars franchise come together to celebrate "Star Wars Day," or as they affectionately call it, "May the Fourth Be With You!" In this blog, we'll explore the origin of this special day, its significance in the Star Wars universe, how fans commemorate the occasion, and some fun facts about this galactic celebration!
1. The Birth of The Phrase:
The tale of Star Wars Day began with the iconic phrase "May the Force Be With You." Although widely attributed to Obi-Wan Kenobi, this is not actually true. The words were actually first uttered from the wise Jedi Master, General Jan Dodonna in the first Star Wars movie, "A New Hope" (1977). Here Jan Dodonna briefs the Rebels on the weakness of the Death Star - the phrase is used as a rallying conclusion to his speech. The exact words said was "Man your ships, and may the Force be with you". This phrase became the cornerstone of the Star Wars saga, symbolising hope, courage, and the power of good over evil. As fans connected "May the Force" with "May the Fourth," a playful and pun-filled celebration was born!
2. How Fans Celebrate the Day:
Star Wars Day is a delightfully informal celebration, allowing fans to embrace their inner Jedi or Sith in various ways. Fans often greet each other with "May the Fourth be with you," engaging in friendly banter with "And also with you" as the response. Social media platforms, especially Twitter, explode with hashtags like #Maythe4thBeWithYou, #MayTheFourth, and #StarWarsDay, making it a trending topic worldwide.
Many fans enjoy a Star Wars movie marathon, immersing themselves in the epic saga once again. Cosplaying as favourite characters is also a popular way to celebrate, with creative costumes paying tribute to beloved figures like Luke Skywalker, Princess Leia, Darth Vader, and Yoda. Themed parties, trivia games, and lightsaber duels add to the festivities, ensuring a memorable and immersive experience for fans of all ages.
4. Fun Facts about Star Wars Day:
According to Media Reports, the first official celebration of Star Wars Day, was organized by Alice Quinn and Sean Ward in Toronto, Ontario. Since then Star Wars Day is a world wide event that brings everyone together over their love of the stories that took place in a galaxy far, far away.
In 2013, The Walt Disney Company officially embraced Star Wars Day, adding more weight to the celebration. Disney's acquisition of Lucasfilm elevated the franchise to new heights, culminating in Star Wars-themed festivities at Disneyland and Disney World each May 4th.
The phrase "May the 4th Be With You" has been officially trademarked by Lucasfilm Ltd. LLC, safeguarding the legacy of the celebration and preventing unauthorised commercial use.
5. Notable People and Pop Culture References:
The popularity of "May the Fourth Be With You" has transcended the Star Wars universe, with notable individuals and pop culture embracing the phrase:
In 1979, the UK's Conservative Party creatively used the phrase in an ad to congratulate Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher on her election victory.
In 1988, during a debate Harry Cohen used the phrase while speaking about Ronald Reagan's "Star Wars" defence policy - a nuclear missile deterrent that was rumoured (and only rumoured - this technology was definitely not possible!) to be able to shoot missiles from space to prevent them from landing in the USA
In 2005, while being interviewed for the German TV channel N24 - George Lucas was mistranslated as "Am 4. Mai sind wir bei Ihnen" which actually means We are with you on May 4. Slightly less catchy...
So... until May rolls back around we will be here patiently waiting for the worldwide celebration that is Star Wars Day. But that shouldn't stop you from celebrating Star Wars any day you want to. If you want to throw a Star Wars Marathon, it doesn't matter what day it is! You have our permission. If you and your friends want to dress up as your favourite Jedi or Sith and live out your favourite scenes - it won't be any less fun in November!
How do you celebrate Star Wars Day?
