May The Fourth Be With You

Happy Star Wars Day!

May 4th has become known as Star Wars Day to fans of the films. The date originates from the pun "May the Fourth be with you", a variant of the popular Star Wars catchphrase "May the Force be with you" uttered by General Dodonna to the rebel fighters before they begin their assault on the Death Star.

It all started with Margaret Thatcher

The first time the phrase was used was here in the UK back in 1979. It was the 4th of May and Margaret Thatcher had just taken new office as the Prime Minister. The London Evening News published a congratulatory advertisement by the Conservatives that read “May the Fourth Be with You, Maggie. Congratulations.”

First Experience

For many Sci-Fi film fans the Star Wars franchise was their first movie going experience.

My very first memory of the cinema is going to see The Empire Strikes Back in 1980 just over 40 years ago, I would have been 5 years old.

I can still recall the excitement and the buzz of it all, prior to Star Wars Sci-Fi meant floppy monsters and bendy TV aliens, Star Wars was Space Opera and we loved it

After the Walt Disney Company bought Lucasfilm (and the rights to the Star Wars Universe) from George Lucas in 2013, they started officially recognizing Star Wars Day with Star Wars themed events and festivities at its amusement parks. Cementing the 4th May as Star Wars Day.