Here's why fans celebrate 'Star Wars Day' worldwide on May 4th
'It didn't begin a long time ago or in a galaxy far far away, but every May 4 it feels like images, memes and promotional deals involving 'Star Wars' have an inescapable gravity.
May 4 — or May the 4th, as fans say — has evolved over the years into 'Star Wars Day', an informal holiday celebrating the space epic and its surrounding franchise.
What is 'Star Wars' Day?
'Star Wars Day' was created by fans as a sly nod to one of the films' most popular catchphrases, 'May the force be with you.' Get it? Good, now May the 4th be with you too.
It's not an official holiday but has become so well-known that even former President Joe Biden marked it last year when 'Star Wars' actor Mark Hamill dropped by the White House a day beforehand.
'I think it's a very clever way for fans to celebrate their passion and love for 'Star Wars' once a year,' said Steve Sansweet, founder and executive chairman of Rancho Obi-Wan, a nonprofit museum in California that has the world's largest collection of 'Star Wars' memorabilia.
How did it begin?
The phrase 'May the 4th be with you' was used by fans in the years after the first film was released in 1977, and even appeared in a British political ad in 1979 celebrating Margaret Thatcher's victory as prime minister on May 4 that year.
For some fans, the official 'Star Wars Day' comes on May 25, the date of the first film's release. The Los Angeles City Council even declared the date to be Star Wars Day in 2007, although the California Legislature voted in 2019 to designate May 4 as 'Star Wars Day'.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Indian Express
a day ago
- Indian Express
MrBeast shuts down Disneyland for Rs 4.1 cr date night with fiancèe after claiming he is borrowing money from mom for wedding
Jimmy Donaldson, popularly known as MrBeast, continues to captivate his fans with his YouTube videos. Following his exploration of 2,000-year-old ancient temples in Mexico, which stirred up some controversy, he is now making waves with a romantic getaway he planned for his fiancée, Thea Booysen. The world's most subscribed YouTuber shut down the entire Disneyland for Rs $500K (Rs 4.1 crore) date night with Booysen. 'Disney won't just hand over their keys to anyone, but for this once-in-a-lifetime date, we were given the entire park for one night,' MrBeast said in the video. The lavish date night comes days after he claimed that he was short on funds and had to borrow money from his mother for his wedding. He had said that he has pumped in all his money into the channel and has little personal wealth. He began the date by taking Booysen on a $1 (Rs 85) Ferris wheel ride at a small, carnival-style amusement park. Things escalate quickly, as their next stop was an extravagant $10,000 (Rs 835,000) multi-course gourmet dinner collated by celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay. The adventure continued with a lavish $50,000 (Rs 4,257,000) private island getaway. Joined by several members of the MrBeast team, the couple enjoyed jet skiing, relaxing couples' massages, and more premium experiences. For their first theme park date, the group headed to the American Dream Mall in East Rutherford, New Jersey. This enormous entertainment complex featured Nickelodeon Universe Theme Park, DreamWorks Water Park, and the Big Snow indoor ski slope. The $250,000 (Rs 21,407,500) experience is centered around Nolan, a member of MrBeast's crew, and included a surprise appearance by Madison Beer. Highlights included a luxury car ride, attending a Major League Baseball game, and an exclusive fine-dining dinner. Later, MrBeast and a small group of friends had the ultimate Star Wars experience with a visit to an empty Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge, where they ride Rise of the Resistance without waiting in line. They also stopped at Savi's Workshop to build their custom lightsabers, 'an experience which typically costs $219.99 (Rs 18,879) per person, plus tax.' The group then moved over to Disney California Adventure for a spin on Pixar Pal-A-Round, where the couple reflected on how 'much more magical and special this $500,000 (Rs 42,812,500) experience is compared to the $1 (Rs 85) Ferris wheel ride.' Their time at the park wrapped up with a private showing of World of Colour Happiness, the nighttime spectacular now featuring a new Muppets pre-show to celebrate Disneyland's 70th anniversary. Finally, the evening ended with a lavish dinner in front of Sleeping Beauty Castle and a special viewing of the Paint the Night Parade, brought back for the anniversary celebration. 'This was everyone's favorite date,' MrBeast said. MrBeast and Thea Booysen, a well-known gamer from South Africa, made their mark in the digital world long before they met. Their love story started in 2022 when Jimmy travelled to South Africa and was introduced to Booysen by a mutual friend at a dinner gathering. Earlier this year, MrBeast proposed to Thea, and she said yes.
Time of India
2 days ago
- Time of India
Al Pacino recalls turning down 'Star Wars' says, 'I don't get it': 'They offered me a fortune'
Academy Award winner recalled turning down the 'Star Wars' role and shared why he was reluctant to be part of the popular franchise. "I said, 'I think I'm in the mood to make Harrison Ford a career,'" shared Pacino, recalling a visit with Francis Ford Coppola at his and George Lucas' San Francisco-based production company headquarters for American Zoetrope, reported Deadline. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now "They were in the late-'60s making this. They were real idealists coming into the '70s with great films all over the globe," he said, adding, "So, it was a wonderful place that I actually saw, I went to the building and everything before I did Godfather with them." Recalling the reason behind his reluctance, Pacino said, "So I loved their work, but I was doing a show on Broadway at the time, and they handed me this script, and I thought, I don't understand. I thought I must be out of space myself. But I looked at this thing and I sent it to Charlie Loughton, my friend and mentor, actually. I said, 'What do you make of this?' He was pretty wise and he said, 'I don't get it, Al. I dunno. I don't get it. ' I said, 'Well, I don't either; what are we going to do? They offered me a fortune, but I don't know. No, I can't play something if I don't speak the language," reported Deadline. Meanwhile, Al Pacino is set to star in the upcoming hostage thriller 'Dead Man's Wire,' directed by Academy Award nominee . According to Deadline, the film is based on the true story of a gripping hostage situation that captivated the world in 1977. Austin Kolodney penned the screenplay for Dead Man's Wire, and the film already boasts an impressive ensemble cast. Bill Skarsgard, Dacre Montgomery, Myha'la, Cary Elwes, and Colman Domingo, all of whom were previously announced, will join Pacino in the thriller. The plot of 'Dead Man's Wire' is based on the real-life events of February 8, 1977, when Anthony G "Tony" Kiritsis, a 44-year-old man, entered the office of Richard O. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Hall, the president of Meridian Mortgage Company, and took him hostage. Armed with a sawed-off 12-gauge shotgun wired to his own neck by a "dead man's wire," Tony demanded USD 5 million, immunity from charges, and a personal apology from the Hall family for cheating him out of money he believed was owed to him. This high-stakes standoff will be brought to life on screen by Van Sant, known for his previous work on films such as 'Good Will Hunting' and 'Milk'.This marks the first collaboration between Pacino and Van Sant. Pacino, who won the Academy Award for Best Actor for his role in 'Scent of a Woman', most recently appeared in 'Knox Goes Away'.
Hindustan Times
2 days ago
- Hindustan Times
Al Pacino reveals why he denied being part of a Star Wars film: ‘I can't play something if I don't speak the language'
Veteran actor Al Pacino says he was offered a Star Wars film, but he turned it down as he didn't connect with the script. The first Star Wars film released in 1977, starring Mark Hamill and Harrison Ford and was directed by George Lucas. There have been 12 films in the franchise in total. (Also Read | Al Pacino, girlfriend Noor Alfallah shut down split rumours, celebrate his 85th birthday together in star-studded party) Pacino recalled getting the script for the film but said he couldn't understand it. 'So I loved their work, but I was doing a show on Broadway at the time, and they handed me this script, and I thought, I don't understand. (I thought), I must be out of space myself,' he said. "But I looked at this thing and I sent it to Charlie Loughton, my friend and mentor, actually. I said, 'What do you make of this?' He was pretty wise and he said, 'I don't get it, Al. I don't know. I don't get it.' I said, 'Well, I don't either; what are we going to do? They offered me a fortune, but I don't know. No, I can't play something if I don't speak the language," he added. The last film of Star Wars franchise released in 2019, titled Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker. Directed by JJ Abrams, it featured Hamill. Pacino's latest work is The Ritual from David Midell, which released on June 6. It featured the actor alongside Abigail Cowen.
