Tuesday is May 4th, and thanks to a punny 1979
London Evening News headline and a legion of die-hard fans, it’s known the world over as “
Star Wars Day.” The headline about the election of former British Prime Minister
Margaret Thatcher — “May the Fourth Be with You, Maggie. Congratulations” — inspired a grassroots movement for
Star Wars junkies to celebrate
George Lucas‘ galaxy far, far away.
May 4, 2011 marked the first organized celebration of
Star Wars Day, at the Toronto Underground Cinema in Canada.
ABC News’ parent company The Walt Disney Company purchased Lucasfilm in 2012, and has officially observed the holiday since 2013, with events at Disney parks and other celebrations — however, the pandemic put a crimp in those plans both last year and this.