Dust off your lightsabers, for May 4 has arrived—a day celebrated by fans around the world as Star Wars Day, thanks to the pun "May the fourth be with you." This playful twist on the iconic phrase "May the Force be with you" has become a cultural phenomenon, but its origins are as intriguing as a galaxy far, far away.
The Force and Its Famous Words
In the original 1977 Star Wars film, the phrase "May the Force be with you" was first uttered by a Rebel general sending troops into battle against the evil Empire and the menacing Darth Vader. The Force, a mysterious energy field, allows certain characters to perform extraordinary feats. Over the decades, the line has been repeated by beloved characters like Obi-Wan Kenobi and Han Solo, embedding itself in pop culture.
The Birth of a Pun
The earliest known connection between "May the Force" and May 4 may have nothing to do with Star Wars. On May 3, 1979, Margaret Thatcher became Britain's first female prime minister. Reportedly, her Conservative Party placed a newspaper ad on May 4 reading: "May The Fourth Be With You, Maggie. Congratulations." However, skeptics question this story. Screenshots of the ad exist online, but some claim the photo of Thatcher is from 1982, and archived copies of the London Evening News from 1979 show no such ad. CNN noted in 2021 that "finding direct evidence requires a search as diligent as Darth Vader's quest for the Rebel Alliance base."
Early Uses in Media
Other early instances include an American newspaper using the phrase in reference to July 4 celebrations in the late 1970s. A Lucasfilm employee also thought of the pun on a film set on May 4, 1982. In 1988, an animated character in the British series Count Duckula uttered it, and a British politician used it during a House of Commons defence debate in 1994.
According to Newspapers.com, one of the earliest newspaper publications of "May the fourth be with you" was in the Calgary Herald on May 4, 1989, by then assistant city editor Dave Obee. Other outlets followed, including the Vancouver Sun during the 2010 Olympics. By 2011, the phrase appeared globally.
Star Wars Day Today
Now, Star Wars Day is celebrated annually with fan events, movie marathons, and social media posts. Whether you're a Jedi or a Sith, May 4 offers a chance to embrace the Force—and enjoy a clever pun that has stood the test of time.
