Star Wars Day

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Star Wars Day may refer to one of several dates or events honoring or involving Star Wars.

Contents

[edit] May 4th

May 4th is called 'Star Wars Day because of a pun or play on words based on the similarity between "May the 4th be with you" and "May the force be with you", a phrase often spoken in the Star Wars movies. In common usage the joke might be presented:

John Doe: Happy Star Wars Day!
Jane Doe: What?
John Doe: May the 4th be with you!

As an example of the cultural impact of Star Wars, the joke is recorded[1] in the UK parliament's Hansard. A similar play on words, this time an example of a homophone, was employed by District Judge Andrew Shaw, during an assault case where an assailant claiming to be Darth Vader had attacked victims who were pretending to train with lightsabers. When the assailant failed to appear at court on time, Shaw issued an arrest warrant adding "I hope the force will soon be with him."[2]

Despite efforts to start[3] a Jedi Church with 4th May as its Star Wars Day, as of 4th May 2008 there is no religion-supporting organization that promotes 4th May as Star Wars Day.

[edit] May 25th 2007

Los Angeles City Council declared[4] May 25th 2007 as Star Wars Day, after the 1977 release date of the movie Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope.[5].

[edit] Other use

Organizers of events featuring Star Wars movies or related activities often choose the name Star Wars Day.[6]

[edit] References

  1. ^ Hansard, Column 786, May 4, 1994, UK Parliament Hansard, Column 784.
  2. ^ Drunk Darth Vader's Jedi assault, Jan 21, 2008, BBC News - Drunk Darth Vader's Jedi assault.
  3. ^ Force strong for new Jedi church, Jan 21, 2008, BBC News - Force strong for new Jedi church.
  4. ^ Council File Number:07-1368, May 01, 2007, City of Los Angeles - Council File Number:07-1368.
  5. ^ May 25th Declared Star Wars Day in Los Angeles May 10, 2007
  6. ^ Third Annual "Unofficial" Star Wars Day At Disneyland