In May 1977, George Lucas and the first Star Wars film entitled A New Hope, changed the world of cinema forever. The film grossed over $1.5 million at the box office in its opening weekend alone. Since then, the franchise has remained a popular staple in mainstream media and pop culture for over 40 years, spawning a wide variety of spinoffs, from TV series to new trilogies of films. Currently, Star Wars franchise is the second highest-grossing of all time, sitting just behind the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
Star Wars has had a massive grip on society since its release. In fact, the grip is so strong that there is an entire day in May that has been designated as Star Wars Day. May fourth has been dedicated to the franchise as early as the late 70s, and is often associated with the coined phrase, “May the Fourth be with you,” playing on one of the film’s key lines, "May the force be with you." So, what is it about Star Wars that makes the world go wild, and why is it so widely celebrated today? Here’s a brief history on how Star Wars Day came about, and why it is so important.
May the Fourth Be With You
A play on one of the film's most used phrases, "May the fourth be with you" has become a popular mantra amongst Star Wars fans on May fourth. It serves as the day's pivotal greeting, and actually originated in the most unlikely of places. According to USA Today, the phrase was coined by the U.K. Conservative Party after Margaret Thatcher was elected Prime Minister. The article states, "The U.K. Conservative Party paid for a newspaper advertisement saying, “May the Fourth Be With You, Maggie. Congratulations!” Since then, the internet and social media have made the saying a fan-crazed phenomenon. It wasn't until 2013, after Disney acquired the Star Wars franchise, that Disney's Hollywood Studios announced that May the 4th would officially be Star Wars Day.
No Place Like Disney
Until 2012, the Star Wars franchise was owned entirely by George Lucas himself under Lucasfilm. However, Lucas sold the franchise for a little over $4 billion to Walt Disney Studios in October 2012. At the time, Disney had proposed a seventh film installment to the franchise and, as always, Disney came through. Not only were fans granted the new film trilogy, but the series has seen a new proposed hope for the future. Recent films featured the return of some of the most beloved faces of the series, with stars Carrie Fisher, Mark Hamill, and Harrison Ford all reprising their original roles. In 2019 Disney+ released their exclusive series The Mandalorian, which boasts a generous 96% on Rotten Tomatoes. The Mandalorian is the first of many Star Wars TV series to come, with The Book of Boba Fett releasing earlier this year, Obi-Wan Kenobi coming up later this month, and other titles like Ahsoka and Andor waiting in the wings.
However, it's not just all about film and production when it comes to Disney and Star Wars. Disney's theme parks have adapted a large percent of their park to Star Wars Land. Themed roller coasters, eateries, and merchandise shops are only the beginning when enjoying a stay at Walt Disney World. The park also features Savi's Workshop, where guests can build their own custom lightsabers. Truly, for a completely authentic May the 4th celebration, Disney is the place to be.
Party Like an Ewok
There is no right or wrong way to celebrate Star Wars Day. People and places across the world have expressed their appreciation for the beloved franchise by going out to local events, conventions, or simply having watch-parties at home among fellow Jedi enthusiasts. Watch-parties are a common celebration amongst fans, where different themed games and foods are provided. All 12 Star Wars films are available to stream on Disney+. So, whether you're watching from your couch or a galaxy far, far away, happy Star Wars Day and May the fourth be with you.