Star Wars Day
Men dressed as Storm Trooper characters from "Star Wars" walk in Times Square as snow falls down during the first day of spring in New York, March 20, 2016. Reuters/Eduardo Munoz

The force awakens on Wednesday on Star Wars Day. It is that time of the year when fans take to the streets wearing their favourite Stars Wars-inspired costumes and greet each other, "May the fourth be with you." The demand for such costumes goes up manifold and revellers enjoy taking selfies and enacting movie scenes. Star Wars Day is an unofficial holiday to celebrate George Lucas’ cult classic, set in a galaxy many light years away.

Those who are not aware of the meaning of the term “May The 4th Be With You” should know that it is a tweak of the popular Star Wars phrase, “May The Force Be With You.” To celebrate this special day, fans also watch the movie series and play video games. Eating Wookiee cookies and having lightsaber fights are also common. Retail outlets also offer discounts on Star Wars merchandise and social media is flooded by Star Wars memes and posts.

The phrase “May The Fourth Be With You” reportedly goes back to May 4, 1979 when British Conservative Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher was elected. On May 4, 1994, the phrase was used during a defence debate at the House of Commons, reports Express.

“My researcher, who is a bit of a wit, said that it should be called national Star Wars Day. He was talking about the film ‘Star Wars’ rather than President Reagan's defence fantasy, and he added, ‘May the fourth be with you,’” said then MP Harry Cohen.

While every May 4 is a special one for the fans, 2016’s May 4 is a bit more special as “Star Wars: The Force Awakens” was released in December last year to tremendous acclaim, and fans are pretty excited about the upcoming “Episode VIII” and “Rogue One: A Star Wars Story.”

If May 4 is not enough for fans, May 5 is known as “Revenge of the Fifth.” Whatever the future holds for the movie franchise, Jedis and Siths will join hands to celebrate both the days by putting their differences aside.

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