History of May the Fourth (Be With You): Star Wars Day
May 4th or May the Fourth is a geek holiday that has gained popularity in recent years due to a popular film franchise.
But where did it begin?
History of May the Fourth
“May the Fourth” is taken from the benediction “May the Force be with you” made famous in the Star Wars film series. This pun intended holiday seems to have first been celebrated in the Toronto Underground Cinema in 2011. However, the use of this phrase predates this, going back to the day in 1979 when Margaret Thatcher, Britain’s first woman prime minister was elected. The Conservative party, upon the occasion of her officially becoming Prime Minister on May 4th, took out a half-page newspaper ad in the London Evening News that said:
“May the Fourth be with you, Maggie. Congratulations.”
Music of May the Fourth
In my village here in Colorado Springs, the local philharmonic struck up the band a couple of years ago to bring us the dulcet tones of John Williams’ symphonic star songs. Yours faithfully was there.
And it was your choice: channeling the Empire or backing the Rebellion.
