May the fourth be with you.
Star Wars fans around the world look forward to greeting their fellow enthusiasts on May 4th every year. It’s a time for all Star Wars fans to come together and enjoy their fandom – whether they recognize the sequel trilogy or not.
Star Wars is one of the most beloved film franchises of all time, grossing over $19.2 billion (£14.9 billion) since the first film hit screens in 1977. With 12 films and nine TV series in the epic saga so far, it’s nice that millions of fans around the world have a special day to celebrate their love.
May 4, also known as Star Wars Day, an unofficial and informal commemorative day, continues to become increasingly popular and celebrates the franchise created by filmmaker George Lucas. This continued to be the case, especially as Disney asked Lucasfilm in 2012 for $4.05 billion (£3.23 billion) and created a new trilogy of Star Wars films, as well as the popular series Mandalorian and Obi-Wan Kenobi.
What is Star Wars Day?
Star Wars Day, or May 4, is an annual date where fans around the world celebrate all things from a galaxy far, far away. Celebrations of this day date back to 1978, just one year after the original film was released and changed cinema forever.
Many fans choose to dress up as their favorite characters, watch the movies together, or share their favorite moments online.
It’s an annual tradition for Star Wars fans to use the phrase May the 4th be with you on May 4th, as it resembles one of the franchise’s most iconic phrases.
Why is it said that the Fourth is with you?
The pun on the date May 4, which you might hear today, is based on the phrase May the Force be with you, which is a phrase from the Star Wars universe used to wish good luck or goodwill to an individual or group.
-The speaker wants the Force to work in the recipient’s favor. Obi-Wan Kenobi explains the Force: “Well, the Force is what gives a Jedi his power. It is an energy field created by all living beings. It surrounds us and penetrates us. It binds the galaxy together.”
The phrase was often used when individuals were becoming estranged or faced an impending challenge. The phrase originated in Star Wars: Episode IV A New Hope, released in 1977.
It was first used by General Jan Dodonna, after Luke Skywalker said: “It’s not impossible. I used to shoot womp rats in my T-16 at home, they won’t get past two meters.”
Then General Dodanna said, “Then pilot your ships. And may the Force be with you. » Since then, the phrase has continued to be used in Star Wars stories.
Meanwhile, others believe the phrase comes from the Latin phrase Dominus vobiscum, meaning may the Lord be with you. This blessing is traditionally used by clergy during the Roman Catholic Mass, as well as in modern services.
What to say if someone says 4 is with you
There is still a lot of debate about what you should say if someone says 4 is with you. One person on Twitter said: “The correct answer to ‘May the 4th be with you’ is ‘and with your spirit’.”
Someone responded by saying: “I always prefer ‘and also with you’. Probably because I’m old!” Another agreed, saying: “Call me a hipster, but ‘and also with you’ will always be the real answer.”
A version of this story was first published on May 4, 2023.
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