History of May the Fourth (Be With You): Star Wars Day

HISTORY OF MAY THE FOURTH

May 4th, or May the Fourth, is a geek holiday that has gained popularity in recent years due to a popular film franchise.

But where did it begin?

History of May the Fourth

The phrase “May the Fourth” is taken from the benediction “May the Force be with you,” made famous in the Star Wars film series. This pun-intended holiday seems to have been first celebrated at the Toronto Underground Cinema in 2011.

However, the use of this phrase predates this, dating back to 1979, when Margaret Thatcher, Britain’s first woman prime minister, was elected. The Conservative Party, upon the occasion of her officially becoming Prime Minister on May 4th, took out a half-page newspaper ad in the London Evening News that said:

“May the Fourth be with you, Maggie. Congratulations.”

Music of May the Fourth

In my village here in Colorado Springs, the local philharmonic struck up the band a couple of years ago to bring us the dulcet tones of John Williams’ symphonic star songs. Yours faithfully was there.

Indeed, this week, they’re doing it again with The Empire Strikes Back.

And it’s your choice: channeling the Empire or backing the Rebellion.

May the Fourth Party

Now that Disney owns the Star Wars franchise, buying Lucasfilm from George Lucas for a mere $4B, it has become a real deal. Of course, this is not a shameless commercialization of the holiday, although they discount Star Wars merchandise on this day, as do many other merchants.

Author aboard the Millennium Falcon, at Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, Disneyland

May 25 is the anniversary of Star Wars’ original debut in 1977. May 25 is sometimes called Geek Pride Day. It is no longer considered derogatory to be called a Geek. Nerd… maybe.

Twitter/X even has a hashtag #StarWarsDay.

True Blue Star Wars Fans

The question is not whether you are a true believer but whether you are a true blue believer. If you are, now you can celebrate with that similitude of the blue Bantha milk Aunt Beru served Luke Skywalker in Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope.

TruMoo Blue Milk

Throughout the history of the films, blue symbolizes the good side of the Force, such as in the color of Luke’s lightsaber, and red symbolizes evil. And the good side speaks with an American accent, while the evil Empire speaks with a British accent (mostly). Some people have not gotten over the American War of Independence.

You can enjoy Blue Milk on your own or with friends.

Author enjoying Blue Milk with friends

Beyond May the Fourth

But wait, there’s more. May 5 is called “Revenge of the Fifth,” a play on the tagline of Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith, though some celebrate it on May 6 as “Revenge of the Sixth,” which seems to rhyme better with Sith.

Celebrating Star Wars: Episode IV — A New Hope on its 50th Anniversary?

At the time of this writing, theaters are planning on showing Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope on the big screen again, as the franchise celebrates its 50th anniversary on February 19, 2027… a bit early. See the announcement on the Star Wars website here.

Star Wars 50th Anniversary theatrical release. Image: Star Wars

Opposition to May the Fourth

In equally mock seriousness, IGN reports that the Galactic Empire, in opposition to the Force-wielding Rebel Alliance, started a campaign a decade ago to ban May the Fourth celebrations.

Have you heard about the new Wookie Cookie? It’s Chewie.

Bill Petro, your friendly neighborhood historian
billpetro.com