Every year, the start of May becomes a celebration of one of the biggest sci-fi franchises ever created, as the classic line of “May the force be with you” pairs up perfectly with May 4th. But just how long have we been using that date to celebrate Star Wars? Here is everything you need to know about when Star Wars May the 4th be with you started being celebrated.
Where & When Did the Phrase Originate?
According to LucasFilm, it didn’t take long for this iconic Stars line to be turned into a pun that aligns with the fourth date in may. In fact, the day, now known as Star Wars day, originated in 1998, just one year after the release of the first film, Star Wars: A New Hope.
Here is an official blurb from the Star Wars website regarding the phrase being used in newspapers in 1978.
That summer of ’78, clever newspaper writers used the phrase as a gimmick to mark Independence Day celebrations on the Fourth of July. “May the Force be with you,” as heard in A New Hope, had been appearing on licensed (and unlicensed) buttons, posters, and various items for months, enough to convince those writers that the joke would be well-received by their readers.
English-speaking audiences in the United Kingdom were familiar with it as well. It was on May 4, 1979, that the first known instance of “May the 4th Be With You” being used to mark the earlier date took place. Britain’s new prime minister, Margaret Thatcher, happened to assume office that day, and another clever newspaper writer for The London Evening News declared in a full-page ad: “May the Fourth Be With You, Maggie. Congratulations!” (Coincidentally, Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back was in production at nearby Elstree Studios at the same time, and issues of the Evening News could have appeared in Lucasfilm’s offices.)
When Did Star Wars May the 4th Be with You Start?
It wasn’t until 2005 that the phrase seems to have risen back to the public prominence, though, as it was used in a marketing push to promote Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith, which had been released weeks earlier. In 2012, Lucasfilm’s announcement of the new Star Wars films only further ignited this marketing push, using the rise of social media to push the day even further to what it is today.
That is everything you need to know about when Star Wars May the 4th be with you started being celebrated. If you’re still on the hunt for more info about the game, be sure to check out the rest of Twinfinite to see the rest of our guides, which have plenty of tips, tricks, and FAQs.
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Featured Image Source: LucasFilm & Star Wars
