'Star Wars' Day: How May 4 Became The Official Holiday For The Epic Space Franchise

Fans celebrate "Star Wars" Day today!

Every year, "Star Wars" fans have their official holiday, which falls every May 4. On this day, many "Star Wars" festivals happen across the nation, while retailers offer special deals related to the epic space franchise, USA Today reported.

How May 4 Became The Official "Star Wars" Day

Per AS, the holiday was not invented by George Lucas, the man behind the sci-fi movies. It was also not a marketing gimmick of the hit franchise, which uses the Jedi phrase, "May the force be with you."

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Apparently, on May 4, 1979, when Margaret Thatcher took office as the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, the London Evening News published a congratulatory advertisement from her political party, the Conservatives. The message in a full-page ad read, "May the Fourth Be with You, Maggie. Congratulations."

That was reportedly the first time the phrase was used, and it inspired May 4 to become "Star Wars" Day later on. The statement resurfaced in July 2005, weeks after the release of "Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith."

At the time, it was used as a marketing push to encourage fans to flock to the theaters. As part of the campaign, a newspaper ad reportedly featured Yoga in front of a patriotic background of red-white-and-blue fireworks with the phrase, "May the Fourth be With You," atop the image, per USA Today.

However, the "May the Fourth be With You" concept only took off with the advent of social media when fans began to use it as a hashtag to host "Star Wars"-themed parties or revisit the films. Businessmen and retailers then took advantage of the trend to promote their products.

In 2019, California lawmakers voted to declare May 4 as "Stars Wars" Day to honor the opening of Disneyland's Galaxy's Edge. The month is also notable for the franchise because the original "Star Wars" premiered on May 25, 1977, and its creator, Lucas, was born on May 14, per ABC News.

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"Star Wars" Day Commemorated Online

In a post on X, formerly Twitter, the official "Star Wars" account announced that it is celebrating the event with its "best fans in the galaxy." It shared a montage from the franchise's various shows, including fun events with fans. The clip starts with several individuals wearing costumes and taking off their masks.

"It all started with the fans," actor Mark Hamill says in the clip.

Several then talk about how "Star Wars" was more than a show for them since they found a family in the franchise. The footage ends with various "Star Wars" actors saying the phrase, "May the Fourth be with you!"

Many fans quickly took to social media to mark the event.

"Happy star wars day and may the force be with you, always!" one wrote.

Another added, "Happy Star Wars Day. May the force be with you on May the 4th and also every day."

Meanwhile, as part of this year's celebrations, "Star Wars" fans can enjoy the latest series, "Tales of the Empire," which will hit Disney+ on Saturday.