TATOOINE, Outer Rim Territories (Michigan News Source) – A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away, a national holiday emerged to celebrate all things Star Wars.

Every year, May 4th marks this holiday, where Star Wars enthusiasts greet others with the intergalactic greeting, “May the Fourth be with you!” It’s a spin on the classic Star Wars line “May the force be with you.”

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The original George Lucas “Star Wars” movie hit theaters in May 1977 and characters like Luke Skywalker, Princess Leia, Han Solo, Darth Vader, Obi-Wan Kenobi, Chewbacca, and Yoda became permanent fixtures of pop culture. Two more movies followed the original movie titled “A New Hope” and gave Star Wars fans “The Empire Strikes Back” and “Return of the Jedi” in 1980 and 1983, respectively.

Subsequent movies, which fleshed out character backstories and origins, started hitting theaters in 1999 and haven’t stopped. In recent years, streaming services also gave the franchise a boost with shows like “The Mandelorian.”

The film industry will honor the late Carrie Fisher (a.k.a. Princess Leia) with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on May 4th.

 

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If you don’t have time to host a movie marathon today, you can reminisce with this famous scene.

 

 

If you miss out on May 4th festivities today, some fans may find your lack of faith disturbing. However, you can still take part. Some people recognize May 5th, as “Revenge of the Fifth,” a play on “Star Wars Episode III – Revenge of the Sith.” That day celebrates Sith Lords and other Star Wars villains.