Today, May 4th, 2026, we’re diving into a question many of you might have wondered: why this specific day, and how did a simple phrase become a global holiday?
It all began decades ago with a clever pun. In 1979, supporters of Margaret Thatcher, Britain’s first female Prime Minister, took out a newspaper ad on May 4th, wishing her luck with a twist on the now-famous Star Wars line: “May the Fourth be with you, Maggie.”
What started as a political jest slowly caught on among Star Wars fans. Over the years, these fans began organizing their own celebrations, from movie marathons and costume contests, to grassroots events like the one held at Toronto’s Underground Cinema in 2011.
After Disney acquired Lucasfilm in 2012, they officially embraced the holiday, turning it into the massive, intergalactic event we see today. From theme park events and new merchandise releases to digital campaigns, “May the 4th be with you” has become a beloved tradition connecting fans across the galaxy!