When Is Star Wars Day? The Explanation of the ‘May the 4th Be with You’ Meme

Although the “Star Wars” franchise has some of the most devoted fans in the world, nobody expected they would turn one of the film’s catchphrases into a global celebration.

In 1977, George Lucas changed cinema’s history with “Star Wars.” Although it might seem like it happened a long time ago in a galaxy far, far away, the film franchise is more popular than ever.

Fans have celebrated Star Wars Day each May 4 since 2011, and it is not just a random date. Read on to learn everything you should know about Star Wars Day.

Mark Hamill, Carrie Fisher and Harrison Ford portraying their “Star Wars” characters in “Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope” in 1977 | Source: Getty Images

WHAT IS STAR WARS DAY?

We honor our moms and grandmoms on Mother’s Day, our friends and loved ones on Valentine’s Day, and the Lucasfilm film franchise on Star Wars Day. 

It all started at the Toronto Underground Cinema on May 4, 2011, when a group of “Star Wars” fans gathered and organized activities (including a trivia game show and a costume contest) to commemorate the film.

The celebration made such a splash on the internet that Lucasfilm’s parent company, the Walt Disney Company, began creating “Star Wars” themed events and festivities at some of their amusement parts in 2013.

It is also the perfect day to buy merchandise related to the film franchise as its official website offers special deals and discounts as part of the celebration. 

MEANING OF THE PHRASE THAT STARTED IT ALL

The reason Star Wars Day is held on May 4 is simple: some characters say to one another, “May the force be with you” to wish them good luck, and clever fans replaced “force” with “fourth” – May the 4th be with you. 

You have several options when it comes to the “Star Wars” viewing order.

The typical response to that phrase is, “and also with you,” but depending on the situation, “Star Wars” characters (and fans) could also say, “may the force be with us all.”

According to Obi-Wan Kenobi (Ewan McGregor, played initially by Alec Guinness), the force is the energy created by all living things that empower a Jedi. 

Apart from the official “Star Wars” merch offered on May 4, social media fan pages also fill the internet with memes about the film franchise. 

STAR WARS UNIVERSE: WHAT TO WATCH?

For starters, the “Star Wars” franchise might seem like a lot because it has too many films and TV series, characters, villains, main stories, and subplots. However, diving into the epic space opera is never too late.

You have several options when it comes to the “Star Wars” viewing order. Watching them chronologically might seem like the obvious choice, but it stars with fans’ least favorite film and spoils a huge plot twist. 

Arguably the best film to start is “A New Hope,” released in 1977 but sixth in chronological order. 2016’s “Rogue One” should go next, followed by 1980’s “Empire Strikes Back,” 1999’s “Phantom Menace,” 2002’s “Attack of the Clones,” and 2005’s “Revenge of the Sith.” 

The first Disney+ series, 2022’s “Obi-Wan Kenobi,” comes next, followed by 2018’s “Solo,” 1983’s “Return of the Jedi,” Disney+ “Mandalorian” and “Book of Boba Fett,” 2015’s “The Force Awakens,” 2017’s “Last Jedi,” and finally, 2019’s “Rise of Skywalker.” May the force be with you.

Anomama