The explanation behind the designation of May 4th as a 'Star Wars' celebration day.
Celebration of the "May the Fourth be with you" phrase, rooted in the Star Wars franchise, traces back to 1979. On this particular May 4th, Britain witnessed the election of its first female prime minister, Margaret Thatcher, an event commemorated in a congratulatory advertisement utilizing the phrase.
Over the years, "May the Fourth" has evolved substantially. Historically, the month of May has been significant for Star Wars, with the first six films in the Skywalker saga premiering in May during their respective release years. Furthermore, George Lucas, the franchise's creator, shares a birthday in May. Although some fans advocated for May 25 as the ideal Star Wars Day, given the original airdate of "A New Hope" in 1977, this notion didn't gain widespread traction.
Nonetheless, the internet and social media played a pivotal role in reviving the "May the Fourth" play on words. Fans enthusiastically celebrated May 4th as Star Wars Day, tagging posts accordingly, and utilizing this excuse to enjoy the films yet again. Star Wars.com writer Amy Ratcliffe highlighted the appeal of this new holiday in 2016, noting the lack of official guidelines for celebration, allowing fans to celebrate in diverse ways.
Rancho Obi-Wan, a Star Wars museum, and the U.S. Rebel Alliance, an organization that leverages the holiday to emphasize the importance of mentors and teachers, are among the organizations that participate in the festivities. On the corporate side, Lucasfilm, Disney, and merchandising partnersjoin in the celebration, offering special deals on Star Wars merchandise.
The widespread recognition of "May the Fourth" has proven advantageous for Disney and Lucasfilm, with even non-fans joining in the fun. As Ratcliffe noted, the holiday has gained media attention to the extent that it's become a cultural phenomenon, with even those unfamiliar with Star Wars participating in the celebration.
Regardless of how one chooses to celebrate, the enduring phrase "May the Fourth be with you" remains an integral part of the Star Wars universe, connecting fans worldwide on this unofficial holiday.
Fans often use the day, May 4th, as a celebration of their love for sci-fi-and-fantasy, particularly Star Wars, and dub it as "Star Wars Day", turning it into an annual space-themed entertainment event. Star Wars.com writer Amy Ratcliffe pointed out the appeal of 'May the Fourth' in 2016, mentioning that the lack of official guidelines allows fans to creatively express their admiration for the franchise, making it a unique, global event.
