• On 4 May fans across the globe celebrate and honour all things Star Wars.
• The origins of the international holiday date back to the 70s.
• Here are ten ways to celebrate Star Wars Day.

For most people, today is simply 4 May, but for Star Wars fans across the globe, it is a day that they have chosen to celebrate and honour all-things-Star-Wars.

Once originally observed in July, the official date for Star Wars Day celebrations was reset to May when a full-page ad appeared in the 4 May 1979 issue of The London Evening News to congratulate British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher on her taking office that day.

"May the Fourth Be With You, Maggie. Congratulations!" read the message. 

The force 

The official Star Wars Day greeting "May the 4th Be With You" stems from a clever turn of phrase based on the classic Star Wars slogan "May the Force Be With You."

According to Disney+,  the dedicated streaming home of all Star Wars content, fans of the films came up with the greeting back in 1978.

US fans initially used it as a Fourth of July greeting, however, it was reset to 4 May the year after the ad congratulating Thatcher was published.

Since then, and especially in recent years, Star Wars fans have claimed 4 May as their day.

Disney+ adds that the day has also given Lucasfilm - The American film and television production company, founded by filmmaker George Lucas - an opportunity to give back to the Star Wars community that honours that galaxy far, far away. 

"Since 2012, Lucasfilm has encouraged 4 May activities through its official website and social channels as well as provided built-in discounts and special offers on Star Wars merchandise. And since 'May the 4th Be With You' doesn't carry the same witty punch when translated into other languages, ‘Star Wars Day’ has been adopted to establish a global meaning for this annual worldwide celebration," explained Disney.

Top Ten Ways to Celebrate Star Wars Day

Star Wars Day graphic

Supplied Photo: Disney/Lucasfilm

There are a number of ways to celebrate Star Wars Day, be it by posting Star Wars related content to social media, hosting Star Wars screening parties, wearing Star Wars costumes and clothing, or shopping for Star Wars merchandise. We have, however, narrowed it down to ten suggestions with some help from Disney+.

1. Get social: Both the streaming platform and Lucasfilm have encouraged fans to Tweet photos of their celebrations or their favourite character from Star Wars to @starwars, using the hashtag #MayThe4thBeWithYou, and let them know how they are celebrating.

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2. Taking lessons from Yoda who once said, "Pass on what you have learned," Disney+ encourages fans to introduce a younger sibling, family member, or friend to Star Wars.

3. Dressing up for special occasions is important, and 4 May (often referred to as May the 4th) is no different. Wearing anything from your favourite Star Wars shirt to full-on stormtrooper gear is completely acceptable.

"It's okay to dress up your pet, too. Bounty hunter bulldogs are especially encouraged," added Disney+, sharing some advice with pet parents. 

4. The streaming platform also advised celebrating by having a Star Wars movie marathon with friends and family. 

"But which movie do you begin with? Do you start with the prequels or the original trilogy? Better decide before your guests arrive, or you may spend the day in a heated debate."

5. Because food is an essential part of any holiday, treat your school or work friends to a fresh batch of Millennium-Yums or BB-8 Energy Balls which can be made using a variety of recipes on StarWars.com.

6. "Feel the Force with Star Wars crafts: turn wooden spoons into Star Wars Bith band spoon puppets." Arts and crafts creators and kids can learn how to make a Death Star piñata, porg nesting dolls and more on Star Wars Kids YouTube. 

7. There are also ways for gamers to celebrate, whether it is by playing some classic board games or playing online games and other video games on their preferred consoles. 

8.Star Wars Kids YouTube is considered another great way to introduce any of the kids in your life to Star Wars by watching a Galaxy of Adventures.

9. Those with Star Wars toys that they don’t need anymore are encouraged to donate them and make May the 4th really memorable for children in need. 

10. "Think you know all about Han, Luke and Leia? Host a trivia night to test your family and friend’s knowledge of all things in the Star Wars galaxy," concluded Disney+.