It didn’t start a long time ago in a galaxy far, far away—but every year on May 4, it might as well have. Across the globe, the date has become synonymous with lightsabers, Jedi wisdom, Wookiee growls, and a booming chorus of “May the Fourth be with you.”
Once an inside joke among die-hard fans, Star Wars Day has grown into an international celebration of one of cinema’s most iconic franchises. What began as a playful pun—riffing off the series’ most famous line, “May the Force be with you”—has become a pop culture phenomenon that now boasts the backing of major corporations, city councils, and even a former U.S. president.
From Wordplay to Worldwide
The origins of May the 4th are surprisingly humble. The pun first circulated informally among Star Wars fans after the original 1977 film release, and it gained a peculiar public boost when a British newspaper ran the headline “May the Fourth Be With You, Maggie” in 1979, congratulating Margaret Thatcher on becoming Prime Minister.
Still, the phrase remained largely within the realm of fandom until the internet and social media gave it wings. As memes and jokes proliferated across Twitter and Facebook, May the 4th quickly caught on as the unofficial holiday for Star Wars lovers everywhere. Fans began hosting watch parties, dressing up in costume, and flooding the internet with tributes to their favorite characters and moments from the saga.
From Fan Holiday to Corporate Event
What started as fan-driven fun didn’t go unnoticed by the business world. Brands, from automakers like Nissan to beverage giants like Jameson Whiskey, have since jumped on the bandwagon, launching themed ads and social media campaigns around the date. Even Disney, which acquired Lucasfilm in 2012, embraced the opportunity to build new traditions.
The entertainment juggernaut now anchors Star Wars Day with new merchandise drops, streaming exclusives, and theme park events. This year, Disney+ is premiering the animated series Star Wars: Tales of the Underworld, and rolling out new lightsabers, collectibles, and character-inspired jewelry. Meanwhile, Andor fans are rejoicing as the show enters its highly anticipated second season. Adding to the buzz, Disney recently announced a new stand-alone Star Wars film starring Ryan Gosling, set to debut in 2027.
A Day of Galactic Proportions
Celebrations on May 4 range from subtle nods to full-blown galactic festivals. In New Hope, Pennsylvania—a town that serendipitously shares its name with the subtitle of the first Star Wars film—the entire community gets in on the fun. Restaurants serve themed dishes like the “YodaRita,” while costumed fans roam the streets in a celebration that fuses fandom with small-town charm.
“I used to just say it as a joke,” said Michael Sklar, president of the Greater New Hope Chamber of Commerce. “But taking it to this level, I’ve definitely upped my Star Wars nerdiness.”
Elsewhere, Major League Baseball teams continue to ride the wave of fandom. The San Francisco Giants have made Star Wars-themed games a tradition, offering special tickets that come with items like a bobblehead of pitcher Logan Webb reimagined as “Obi-Webb Kenobi.”
Even smaller venues get in on the act. Local bakeries decorate cookies with Princess Leia buns and Darth Vader helmets. Symphony orchestras host concerts featuring John Williams’ legendary score. From movie theaters to music halls, Star Wars Day stretches far beyond the screen.
Not Everyone’s Favorite Force
But not everyone is thrilled with how widespread—and commercialized—the day has become.
Chris Taylor, author of How Star Wars Conquered the Universe and a senior editor at Mashable, isn’t shy about his skepticism. He calls himself a “May the 4th grinch,” frustrated by what he sees as the watering down of a once-clever in-joke.
“I love a good dad joke as much as anyone, but my God, you can take it too far,” he says.
Indeed, there’s an ongoing debate among fans about the “real” Star Wars Day. Some purists argue that May 25—the date the original film was released in 1977—is the more legitimate date for celebration. In fact, the Los Angeles City Council officially declared May 25 as Star Wars Day back in 2007. However, in 2019, California’s legislature embraced May 4 instead, cementing its place as the fan-favorite.
A Force That Binds Generations
What’s remarkable is how this once-niche observance has become a kind of cultural glue, uniting fans across generations. Kids discovering the franchise through animated series or LEGO sets share the same excitement as parents who grew up with the original trilogy. Grandparents who took their children to see A New Hope in theaters now send their grandkids “May the 4th” GIFs on WhatsApp.
Steve Sansweet, founder of Rancho Obi-Wan—the largest privately-owned collection of Star Wars memorabilia in the world—sees it as a testament to the franchise’s enduring magic.
“It’s a very clever way for fans to celebrate their passion and love for Star Wars once a year,” Sansweet said.
Whether you’re a lifelong Jedi loyalist, a newly inducted Padawan, or just someone who appreciates a good pun, May 4 offers a moment to connect, reminisce, and indulge in the galaxy’s greatest space opera.
So wherever you are, whether fighting traffic or TIE Fighters, may the Fourth—and the Force—be with you.
