Who Came Up With the Brilliant Idea to Call May 4th Star Wars Day?Over the years, May 4th has become known as Star Wars Day, thanks to a clever pun involving the franchise's most iconic line.
ByJustin Chan•Originally published
Today is May 4th — otherwise known as Star Wars Day among many fans of the space-opera franchise.
But how did this informal celebratory day come about?
According toNewsweek, much of the credit should be given to theLondon Evening News. On May 4, 1979, the newspaper congratulated Margaret Thatcher, who was then an aspiring prime minister candidate, for winning the UK parliamentary election. Two years following the release of the firstStar Warsfilm (Star Wars Episode IV - A New Hope), the publication decided to riff on one of the most notable lines in the movie: "May the force be with you." In welcoming Thatcher, the newspaper's headline instead read, "May the Fourth be with you, Maggie. Congratulations."
Related:May the 4th Be With You: Quotes on Building an Empire From George Lucas
ThoughNewsweekadmits that someone else might have come up with the pun before theEvening Newsdid, it argues that the paper should be credited for popularizing it.
Interestingly enough,Star Warscreator George Lucas and his production company Lucasfilm largely stay away from officially promoting the festivities that take place every May 4th. Since Disney's acquisition of Lucasfilm in 2012, however,Newsweekpoints out that theStar Warsfranchise has more actively embraced the faux holiday, organizingStar Wars-themed parties and events at its theme parks and releasing newStar Warscontent on May 4th — like the 2021 premiere ofStar Wars:The Bad Batch, on Disney Plus.
In 2021, the streaming serviceannouncedthat it would celebrate Star Wars Day with a fan art takeover. It also released a special Star Wars Day release calledThe Force Awakens From a Nap, featuring popularSimpsonscharacter Maggie Simpson.
To celebrate May 4th, 2023, Disney isdropping exclusive merchand is premiering bothStar Wars: Visionsvolume 2andStar Wars: Young Jedi Adventureswill premiere on Disney+.
