Star Wars Day, May 4, celebrates George Lucas' Star Wars. It is observed by fans of the media franchise. Observance of the commemorative day spread quickly through media and grassroots celebrations. The date was chosen for the pun on the catchphrase "May the Force be with you" as "May the Fourth be with you".
According to popular legend, the reference was first used on May 4, 1979, the day Margaret Thatcher took office as Prime Minister of UK. An online news article from the Danish public broadcaster allegedly said her political party, the Conservatives, placed a congratulatory advertisement in The London Evening News, saying "May the Fourth Be with You, Maggie. Congratulations."
What started as a pun shared by the Star Wars fans has become a full-fledged holiday celebrated by many around the globe. Take a look:
Happy star wars day, may the 4th be with you!
And oh please keep inventing cool lightsabers because we need it @starwars pic.twitter.com/vBD07Di4Yt
— quin izzanina (@quinnsdecim) May 4, 2019
May the Fourth Be With You! Happy Star Wars Day! #StarWarsDay pic.twitter.com/LIEHbPqiHk
— Joanne Fisher (@joannefisher63) May 4, 2019
May the fourth be with you! #StarWars_Day
"Someday I will be the most powerful Jedi ever!" - #AnikanSkywalker Episode II - Attack of the Clones
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Posting after months! @… https://t.co/wrzDD9BjHM— Dureksha Siriwardena (@DurekshaS) May 4, 2019
Happy Star Wars day! #MayThe4thBeWithYou pic.twitter.com/VYXjeJBWYI
— Sia (@hidden2night) May 4, 2019
Happy Star Wars Day! pic.twitter.com/SRx007YYM4
— Marissa Ika P (@marissaabdul) May 4, 2019
Happy Star Wars Day. May the force be with you and let's remember these two great people who have inspired and touched the lives of so many star Wars fans. My favourite Princess and… https://t.co/5bbS3pKbtu
— Liz-mari Bester (@liz_dw) May 4, 2019
Star Wars Day!!! May the Fourth be with you! pic.twitter.com/spIxlSmQPQ
— Roztortolla (The Shy Tortollan) (@zenbasswitch) May 4, 2019
#MayThe4thBeWithYou — always. pic.twitter.com/9HXyQyMXs6
— Nathan Wall (@Home) (@_Nathan_W_) May 3, 2019
May the 4th be with you!
Happy Star Wars Day from South Australia Police.
#maythefourthbewithyou #maythe4thbewithyou #starwarsday #maytheforcebewithyou pic.twitter.com/coj4AfEmJ4— South Australia Police (@SAPoliceNews) May 3, 2019
This #StarWarsDay we remember Peter Mayhew who recently passed away. Thank you for all the memories Chewie :') pic.twitter.com/8wi248nkbX
— Krish (@krishtensen) May 3, 2019
Happy Star Wars Day to every geek in the Galaxy! Never forget the First Time #MayThe4thBeWithYou #StarWarsDay pic.twitter.com/qRngHI4KQo
— Ziggy (@mrjafri) May 4, 2019
Happy #StarWarsDay have a great day pic.twitter.com/ZLYwDgdXgS
— Dawn Clarke (@sewclarkie) May 4, 2019
May the fourth be with you. Happy Star Wars Day y’all! #MayThe4thBeWithYou #StarWarsDay pic.twitter.com/UUfERbLRii
— Mike Chance (@Mike_Chance) May 4, 2019
In the year 2015, astronauts in the International Space Station watched Star Wars on this day. Since 2013, the Walt Disney Company has been officially observing this day as the holiday and they conduct several events at Disneyland.