Each year, on the 4th of May, admirers of the cherished space fantasy “Star Wars” come together. They exuberantly mark an unofficial holiday called Star Wars Day. They picked this day in particular as a tongue-in-cheek tribute to one of the franchise’s most iconic slogans. The clever pun is what makes “May 4th” the perfect day to celebrate Star Wars by celebrating nerd culture. The celebration has grown significantly since its inception, becoming a global phenomenon that embraces the rich universe created by George Lucas.
The origins of May the 4th trace back to fans who began using the phrase shortly after the first “Star Wars” film debuted in 1977. The funny punning caught on like crazy. It finally gained real notoriety by 1979, when it was featured prominently in a British political commercial that celebrated Margaret Thatcher’s landslide election victory of May 4. Quinny’s Playhouse Over the years, this playful pun grew into an annual carnival of celebration. It now represents a kind of high holy day for “Star Wars” fans across the globe.
Dedicated fans have long celebrated May 25, making it the official Star Wars Day for years — it’s the date when the original film was released. For everyone, May the 4th is an event that goes far beyond calendar days. Celebrations of this day have blossomed all over the globe, from fundraising parties to community awareness events.
Take New Hope, Pennsylvania for example, which every year the town puts on a beautiful, exciting, dynamic town-wide celebration. Attendees can experience themed costumed characters taking to the street as local restaurants offer specialty items including the crowd-favorite “YodaRita.” That energetic celebratory atmosphere is just a small taste of what this communal spirit that “Star Wars” has built over decades is truly like.
“I think it’s a very clever way for fans to celebrate their passion and love for ‘Star Wars’ once a year.” – Steve Sansweet
Beyond the in-person local celebrations, many groups have added their own twist to the observance of May 4th. Perhaps unsurprisingly given this Star Wars-inspired graffiti, a Protestant congregation in western Germany even organized a Star Wars-themed church service.
The Trump White House celebrated the moment in typical fashion, with a Star Wars-themed meme that went supernova across social media. Last year, former President Joe Biden helped kick off those celebrations. To celebrate, actor Mark Hamill — renowned for bringing Luke Skywalker into our galaxy — visited the White House right before May the 4th.
Celebrations take many forms. Bakeries around the world whip up amazing cookies that are strictly “Star Wars” themed. At the same time, regular concerts bring the films’ most iconic scores to life. Together, these celebrations spare no expense in providing an exciting mood filled with jubilation and nostalgia for young and old fans alike.
Not everyone is as optimistic about May the 4th. Chris Taylor, a senior editor at Mashable, went so far as to jokingly declare himself a “May the 4th grinch.” He expressed his concerns with how the day has been overly corporatized.
“I love a good dad joke as much as anyone, but my God you can take it too far.” – Chris Taylor
Such sentiments underscore a chasm between fans with different ideas on how to celebrate this cherished franchise the right way.
The White House found time to recognize May the 4th in their own special way. In a tweet, they remarked on both political and pop culture themes:
“Happy May the 4th to all, including the Radical Left Lunatics who are fighting so hard to bring Sith Lords, Murderers, Drug Lords, Dangerous Prisoners, & well-known MS-13 Gang Members back into our Galaxy. You’re not the Rebellion—you’re the Empire.” – The White House
This mixture of playful tribute and pointed satire represents just how embedded “Star Wars” has gotten in modern life.
