How a British political ad gave rise to Star Wars Day, May the Fourth

Key facts

• Margaret Thatcher became UK Prime Minister on May 4, 1979.
• The Conservative Party placed an ad in the London Evening News reading 'May The Fourth Be With You, Maggie.'
• The first organized Star Wars Day celebration occurred in 2011 at Toronto Underground Cinema.
• Disney acquired Lucasfilm in 2012 and later officially recognized May 4 as Star Wars Day.
• The phrase 'May the Force be with you' was first spoken by Obi-Wan Kenobi in the 1977 film 'A New Hope.'
• The Star Wars franchise spans 11 live-action films across five decades.

A pun is born in British politics

On May 4, 1979, Margaret Thatcher assumed office as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom. Two years after the release of 'Star Wars: A New Hope,' her Conservative Party seized on a clever wordplay to congratulate her. They placed a full-page advertisement in the London Evening News that read: 'May The Fourth Be With You, Maggie. Congratulations.' That single line, a pun on the Jedi blessing 'May the Force be with you,' marked the first recorded use of the phrase. It was not a fan or even Star Wars creator George Lucas who coined the holiday's rallying cry, but a political party celebrating an electoral victory.

From underground pun to global phenomenon

The phrase circulated in niche circles through the 1980s and 1990s. In 1988, it appeared as the title of an episode of the animated series 'Count Duckula.' But it was the digital boom after 2011 that turned the pun into a full-fledged holiday. That year, the first major organized Star Wars Day celebration took place at the Toronto Underground Cinema in Canada. Fans gathered for themed parties, community events, and movie marathons. The event marked a shift from casual word-of-mouth to coordinated global observance.

Disney’s acquisition cements the date

When Disney acquired Lucasfilm in 2012 for $4.05 billion, the company moved to officially recognize May 4 as Star Wars Day. The holiday became a marketing and merchandising event, with Disney+ offering marathons of all nine Skywalker Saga films and retailers launching exclusive products. For fans, the day is an opportunity to dress as characters, make blue milk, and share the catchphrase. The pun that started as a political joke now drives a global celebration of a franchise spanning 11 live-action films and five decades.

The linguistic trick behind the date

The phrase 'May the Force be with you' is a Jedi blessing used as a farewell or encouragement in moments of danger. When spoken aloud, 'May the Force' sounds nearly identical to 'May the Fourth,' creating the pun that fans adopted as a holiday. The blessing first appeared in the 1977 film 'Star Wars: A New Hope,' delivered by Jedi Master Obi-Wan Kenobi to Luke Skywalker. It has since become one of the most recognizable lines in cinema, symbolizing hope, unity, and goodwill.

A holiday built by fans, for fans

the unofficial holiday grew organically as fans chose the day to hold themed parties, host community events, and revisit the films. 'as the laughable pun continued to circulate underground, an unofficial holiday emerged.' Today, fans worldwide celebrate by wearing costumes, wielding lightsabers, and sharing the greeting. The day has become a cultural touchstone, recognized even by those who have never seen a Star Wars film.

What comes next for Star Wars Day

With Disney continuing to expand the franchise through series like 'The Mandalorian' and 'Ahsoka,' and new films in development, Star Wars Day shows no signs of fading. The 2026 celebration already includes merchandise releases and gaming news, such as 'Star Wars: Galactic Racer' launching on October 6. As the franchise grows, so does the holiday. What began as a one-line ad in a London newspaper has become a global phenomenon, uniting fans across galaxies.

The bottom line

• Star Wars Day originated from a 1979 British political ad congratulating Margaret Thatcher.
• The pun 'May the Fourth be with you' plays on the Jedi blessing 'May the Force be with you.'
• The first organized celebration was in 2011 at Toronto Underground Cinema.
• Disney officially recognized May 4 as Star Wars Day after acquiring Lucasfilm in 2012.
• Fans celebrate with costumes, themed parties, and movie marathons on Disney+.
• The holiday continues to grow with new franchise releases and merchandise.