May the 4th be with you: Who popularized the phrase?

Star Wars Catchphrase

Discover the history and rise of “May the 4th Be With You”, the Star Wars catchphrase that has become a global celebration of the beloved franchise. May the 4th is but a few days away and in honor of this most special day, we’re going to answer this question once and for all. Who popularized the phrase May the 4th Be with You ?

Table of Contents

Introduction

“May the 4th be with you” is a phrase that has become synonymous with the Star Wars franchise. Every year on May 4th, fans of the series celebrate “Star Wars Day” by sharing memes, watching movies, and attending fan events. But how did this phrase come to be, and why is it so popular among fans? Let’s take a closer look at the history of “May the 4th Be With You.”

Star Wars Catchphrase: The Origin of the Phrase

The phrase “May the 4th be with you” is a pun on the famous Star Wars catchphrase “May the Force be with you.” The first recorded instance of this pun being used in popular culture was in 1979, when the phrase was printed in a full-page advertisement in The London Evening News. The ad was placed by the Conservative Party to congratulate Margaret Thatcher on becoming the first female Prime Minister of the United Kingdom. The advertisement read, “May the Fourth Be With You, Maggie. Congratulations.”

Star Wars catchphrase

While this was the first known use of the pun, it didn’t gain widespread recognition until much later. It wasn’t until the early 2000s that “May the 4th Be With You” started to be used more commonly among Star Wars fans.

The Rise of Star Wars Day

The popularity of “May the 4th Be With You” as a phrase and concept can be attributed in part to social media and the internet. As more and more people began using the internet to connect with others who shared their love of Star Wars, the phrase started to gain traction. Fans started sharing memes and creating their own content using the phrase, and eventually, May 4th became recognized as “Star Wars Day” among fans.

In 2011, the first organized Star Wars Day event was held in Toronto, Canada. The event featured screenings of Star Wars movies, trivia contests, and other activities. Since then, similar events have been held around the world on May 4th, and the day has become a major celebration of the Star Wars franchise.

The Future of Star Wars Day

With the recent release of new Star Wars movies and TV shows, as well as the continued popularity of the original trilogy, it’s clear that the Star Wars franchise is as strong as ever. The evidence lies in the number of Star Wars inspired shows around today. 

Star Wars catchphrase

Photo by Limassol/Cyprus from Pixabay

Star Wars Inspired Shows

  • The Mandalorian – A Disney+ original series that follows the journey of a lone bounty hunter as he navigates the dangers of the Star Wars universe.

  • Star Wars: The Clone Wars – An animated series that explores the events between Episode II and Episode III of the Star Wars films, focusing on the Clone Wars and the battles between the Republic and the Separatists.

  • Star Wars Rebels – Another animated series that takes place between Episodes III and IV, following a group of rebels as they fight against the Empire.

  • Star Wars Resistance – A more recent animated series set during the events leading up to The Force Awakens, following a young pilot as he joins a resistance movement.

  • The Bad Batch – A spin-off of The Clone Wars that follows a group of elite clone troopers with genetic mutations as they navigate a changing galaxy in the aftermath of the Clone Wars.

  • Star Wars: The Ewoks – An animated series that follows the adventures of the Ewoks on the forest moon of Endor, before the events of Return of the Jedi.

  • Star Wars: Droids – Another animated series that takes place before the original Star Wars trilogy, following the droids C-3PO and R2-D2 on various adventures.

  • Star Wars: Forces of Destiny – A series of animated shorts that focus on the female characters of the Star Wars universe, including Rey, Leia, Ahsoka, and more.

  • Star Wars: Galaxy of Adventures – A series of animated shorts that retell iconic moments from the Star Wars films, using stylized animation and new voiceovers.

  • Star Wars: Visions – A recent anthology series that features short films created by various anime studios, each with a unique take on the Star Wars universe.

As a result, it’s likely that “May the 4th Be With You” will continue to be celebrated for many years to come.

Conclusion

In conclusion, “May the 4th Be With You” is a phrase that has become an important part of the Star Wars fandom. While it started as a simple pun in a newspaper advertisement, it has since evolved into a global celebration of all things Star Wars. Whether you’re a die-hard fan or just a casual viewer, May 4th is a day to celebrate the beloved franchise and its enduring legacy.

Was this article help to you? If so, leave us a comment below and share this page!

Related Posts

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *