Meaning
What does May The 4th Be With You mean?
May the 4th be with you is the catchphrase related to the unofficial Star Wars Day, celebrated by fans every May 4th.
The expression is a pun take on the famous quote from the franchise; May the Force be with you.
Origin
What's the origin of May The 4th Be With You?
The popular phrase from Star Wars was first heard in the first move, in 1977.
The first recorded case of the pun emerged on May 4th, 1979, when British prime minister, Margaret Thatcher was first elected.
Her fellow members of the conservative party congratulated her in an ad of the London Evening News, saying “May the Fourth Be with You Maggie. Congratulations.”
Spread & Usage
How did May The 4th Be With You spread?
“May the 4th be with you” gained popularity with a larger audience following May 4th, 2011, when the first official Star Wars Day occasion was held at Toronto Underground Cinema.
Since 2011, May 4th is celebrated by the biggest fans of the Skywalker Saga all across the world.
External resources
- Starwars.com – Star Wars Day
- Euronews – How to mark Star Wars day during coronavirus lockdown