A Witty Remark Led to May 4th Being Renamed Star Wars Day, Drawing From the Timeless Franchise's Famous Phrase
Today, May 4th, is known as Star Wars Day among fans, a day that originated as a playful pun on the famous phrase from the Star Wars franchise, "May the Force be with you," transformed into "May the Fourth be with you."
The phrase's popularization can be traced back to 1979 when the London Evening News used it in a congratulatory headline for Margaret Thatcher's election win. The headline was a playful spin on the line "May the force be with you" from Star Wars Episode IV - A New Hope. Over time, Star Wars fans adapted this pun as a catchy slogan, which helped popularize the phrase and the day itself.
While the first use of the phrase "May the Fourth be with you" is likely attributed to someone else, the London Evening News is credited for popularizing it. The paper's use of the phrase in 1979 marked a significant milestone in the history of Star Wars fandom, as it provided a fun and memorable way for fans to celebrate their love for the franchise.
Since Disney's acquisition of Lucasfilm in 2012, the Star Wars franchise has more actively embraced May 4th. The day is now marked by themed events and the release of new content, such as the 2021 premiere of Star Wars: The Bad Batch on Disney Plus. This year, Disney is also dropping exclusive merchandise to celebrate Star Wars Day and is premiering both Star Wars: Visions volume 2 and Star Wars: Young Jedi Adventures on Disney+.
George Lucas, the creator of the Star Wars franchise, may not have originally intended for "May the Fourth be with you" to become a celebratory day, but it has undoubtedly become a beloved tradition among fans. As we celebrate Star Wars Day today, let us remember the origins of this fun and memorable phrase and the impact it has had on the Star Wars community.
References:
- May the Fourth be with you
- May the Fourth be with you: The history of Star Wars Day
Today, Disney and entertainment industry are embracing the "May the Fourth be with you" vision, using it to release news about movies-and-tv shows like Star Wars: The Bad Batch, Star Wars: Visions volume 2, and Star Wars: Young Jedi Adventures on their platform. The popularity of this day, initially a playful pun from the London Evening News in 1979, has expanded beyond just the business of movies-and-tv, becoming an integral part of entertainment news.
