May the 4th Be With You: Why today is all about Star Wars
May 4th isn’t just another day on the calendar. It’s actually an out-of-this-world holiday.
The day is a tribute to “Star Wars,” and the famous saying “May the Force Be With You,” used by Jedi masters in the movies. According to Starwars.com, the holiday has no single point of origin and is instead a grassroots phenomenon celebrating the sci-fi classic.
According to the website, the first evidence of the phrase “May the 4th Be With You,” dates back to 1978 one year after the release of “Star Wars: A New Hope.” The phrase spread over time and, after several years, an unofficial holiday emerged. Fans of Star Wars now use the day to hold parties or community events.
The Walt Disney Company, which purchase Lucasfilm, including the rights of “Star Wars” in 2012, has officially observed the holiday with special events at Disneyland and Walt Disney World. You can expect special events at the parks and at Disney+.