Star Wars Day, celebrated annually on May 4th, has become a cherished occasion for millions of Star Wars fans across the globe. On this special day, fans gather to honor and revel in the beloved Star Wars media franchise, created by the visionary filmmaker George Lucas.

The origins of this holiday are rooted in a delightful pun on the iconic Star Wars phrase, “May the Force be with you.” The amusing play on words goes, “May the Fourth be with you.” Ever since this catchy tagline emerged, it has captured the hearts of fans and has become synonymous with Star Wars Day. While the holiday was not officially endorsed by Lucasfilm, its popularity soared among fans who embraced the opportunity to commemorate it.

The earliest recorded use of the phrase dates back to 1979, the day following Margaret Thatcher’s ascent to become the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom. In a gesture of congratulations, Thatcher’s political party, the Conservatives, published an advertisement in the Evening News featuring the message, “May the Fourth Be with You, Maggie.”

Over the years, this pun has made appearances in various forms, from a UK Parliament defence debate in 1994 to astrophysicist Jeanne Cavelos’ book “The Science of Star Wars” in 1999. The phrase continued to gain traction and prominence.

In 2008, the first Facebook groups dedicated to celebrating Star Wars Day emerged. Then, in 2011, the inaugural organized celebration took place in the vibrant city of Toronto, Canada. This event featured trivia games, costume contests, and screenings of tribute films, setting the stage for future festivities.

In 2013, The Walt Disney Company, following its acquisition of Lucasfilm in 2012, officially acknowledged Star Wars Day and commenced hosting events and galas at Disneyland and Walt Disney World. This extraordinary collaboration prompted a wave of fresh and exciting Star Wars content and experiences that enthralled fans on every Star Wars Day.

While May 4th holds a special place in the hearts of Star Wars enthusiasts, other dates have also found themselves intertwined with the saga’s celebrations. May 5th has become affectionately known as “Revenge of the Fifth,” focusing on the notorious Sith and other villains within the franchise. Additionally, May 25th, the anniversary of the release of the original Star Wars movie in 1977, has been officially declared Star Wars Day by the Los Angeles City Council.

The widespread adoration for Star Wars Day has transcended beyond the realms of movies and fandom. Major League Baseball, association football, and college sports teams all pay homage to Star Wars, and Minor League Baseball teams often put together captivating promotions centered around the galactic adventure.

Even astronauts aboard the International Space Station celebrated Star Wars Day in 2015 by enjoying screenings of the films. In a delightful gesture, the carillon bells inside the Peace Tower on Parliament Hill in Ottawa, Canada chimed to the tune of “The Imperial March” theme from Star Wars, further immortalizing the magic of the franchise.

In 2023, on Star Wars Day, the late Carrie Fisher, who stole hearts with her portrayal of the iconic Princess Leia, will receive a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. This momentous occasion serves as a testament to the enduring significance and profound impact Star Wars has had on popular culture.

Star Wars Day continues to unite fans worldwide, cultivating a sense of community and channeling their boundless love for the epic saga. This annual celebration allows enthusiasts to pay tribute to the beloved franchise and perpetuate its timeless legacy. May the Fourth be with you!

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Star_Wars_Day

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In a groundbreaking move, the Stonewall National Museum & Archives Photography Exhibit, titled “Standing on the Shoulders of Heroes,” is set to arrive at The City College of New York from April 29th to May 7th. This exhibition will showcase the rich history and experiences of the LGBTQ+ community, with a special focus on renowned LGBTQ+ activist and actress, Laverne Cox.

The highlight of the event is the panel featuring the remarkable Laverne Cox, who has been a trailblazer and advocate for the transgender community. Cox’s addition to the exhibit solidifies her status as a hero and role model for the LGBTQ+ community and beyond. She gained widespread recognition for her groundbreaking role in the Netflix series “Orange Is the New Black,” and made history as the first transgender person to be nominated for a Primetime Emmy Award in an acting category.

The evening of May 7th promises to be one of enlightenment and empowerment. It will commence with the screening of the short film “There are Things to Do” by documentary filmmaker Mike Syers. This film tells the inspiring story of Urvashi Vaid, an Indian-born American LGBTQ+ activist, writer, and author. Through her work, Vaid has played a crucial role in advocating for the rights of the LGBTQ+ community. Following the screening, a discussion will take place with both the filmmaker and Laverne Cox, adding even more depth to the event.

The event also aims to pay tribute to LGBTQ+ advocacy within the City College community. CCNY student Shantal Rodriguez and CCNY alum Blaze Levario will be honored with the Colin Powell School for Civic and Global Leadership Urvashi Vaid Award for LGBTQ+ Advocacy. These two individuals have made a significant impact on campus, fostering inclusivity and promoting acceptance among their peers.

The executive director of the Stonewall National Museum & Archives, Robert Kesten, and the Richard J. Henley and Susan L. Davis Dean of CCNY’s Colin Powell School, Andrew Rich, will deliver special remarks, emphasizing the importance of the exhibition and event. Their presence highlights the significance of this monumental event in promoting inclusivity and acceptance.

The exhibit will be displayed at Shepard Hall’s Lincoln Corridor, providing an opportunity for students and community members to immerse themselves in the rich history and experiences of the LGBTQ+ community. Those interested in viewing the exhibit can get more information by emailing events@ccny.cuny.edu.

This monumental event is co-sponsored by The City College of New York, CCNY’s LGBTQ+ Student Center, the Stonewall National Museum Archives & Library, The Foundation for City College, the Office of Institutional Advancement, Communications & External Relations, and the Colin Powell School. These organizations collaborate to demonstrate their commitment to inclusivity and fostering an environment of acceptance for all.

The “Standing on the Shoulders of Heroes” exhibit, featuring Laverne Cox and the remarkable individuals involved, is an extraordinary opportunity for the community to celebrate and honor the strides made by the LGBTQ+ community. It is a showcase of heroes past and present, highlighting the importance of standing up, speaking out, and continuing the fight for a more inclusive and accepting society.

About The City College of New York
Since 1847, The City College of New York has provided a high-quality and affordable education to generations of New Yorkers in a wide variety of disciplines. CCNY embraces its position at the forefront of social change. It is ranked #1 by the Harvard-based Opportunity Insights out of 369 selective public colleges in the United States on the overall mobility index. This measure reflects both access and outcomes, representing the likelihood that a student at CCNY can move up two or more income quintiles. Education research organization Degree Choices ranks CCNY #1 nationally among universities for economic return on investment. In addition, the Center for World University Rankings places CCNY in the top 1.8% of universities worldwide in terms of academic excellence. Labor analytics firm Emsi (now Lightcast) puts at $1.9 billion CCNY’s annual economic impact on the regional economy (5 boroughs and 5 adjacent counties) and quantifies the “for dollar” return on investment to students, taxpayers and society. At City College, more than 15,000 students pursue undergraduate and graduate degrees in eight schools and divisions, driven by significant funded research, creativity and scholarship. This year, CCNY launched its most expansive fundraising campaign, ever. The campaign, titled “Doing Remarkable Things Together” seeks to bring the College’s Foundation to more than $1 billion in total assets in support of the College mission. CCNY is as diverse, dynamic and visionary as New York City itself. https://prnmedia.prnewswire.com/news-releases/stonewall-museum-exhibit-standing-on-the-shoulders-of-heroes-comes-to-ccny-lgbtq-activist-laverne-cox-features-on-may-7-302127974.html

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(Family Features) It’s the time of year when Star Wars fans from across the galaxy gather to celebrate May the 4th, also known as Star Wars Day. Inspired by the iconic catchphrase uttered in the first film of the Skywalker Saga, Star Wars: A New Hope, May the 4th has grown in size and enthusiasm over the years. Fans who don’t want to limit the Star Wars celebrations can keep the festivities going all month long.

To kickstart your Star Wars Day, check out these family-friendly ideas, activities and out of this galaxy adventures that are perfect for every fan.

Movie Marathon Month
You never need an excuse to watch these movies, but what better time than in May? Once a week, friends and families can unwind and have a movie night. Whether it’s in chronological order or picking out your favorite Star Wars movie, spending time together watching the Skywalker Saga is a great highlight to everyone’s week.

Costume Contest
Before you start your movie, host a themed costume contest. Encourage family and friends to break off into teams and dress up as their favorite characters. Each alliance can battle one another in hopes of winning the ultimate title of “Best Dressed in the Galaxy.” 

Drink Blue Milk Straight from the Star Wars Galaxy
Bring the big screen to your home with Star Wars TruMoo Blue Milk. The blue beverage was previously available exclusively at Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge in Disney parks, but now fans can enjoy a new take with this vanilla flavored, low-fat milk that harnesses the power of protein-packed, real-dairy milk with 8 grams of protein per 8 fluid ounces to fuel adventures of all kinds, and goes perfectly with any showtime snack.

Try Out Themed Recipes
You can’t watch a movie without something to munch on – especially if you’re going the marathon route. Get creative in the kitchen and bring to life recipes reminiscent of your favorite Star Wars stories. Better yet, grab your blue milk and mix up a blue milkshake or ice cream pie.

Get Crafty
Grab your scissors, glue, boxes, and any other art supplies you have laying around and challenge everyone to make their own starship, drawing or craft from their favorite Star Wars film, series, game, book or more. Display your creations and continue to add more to your collection all month long.

To find interactive trivia, crafts, recipes and Star Wars TruMoo Blue Milk products near you as well as details about Star Wars white milk, both available for a limited time through July 2024 at select retailers in most major markets, visit StarWarsMilk.com.

*The Star Wars milk from TruMoo qualifies for the Star Wars check. To learn more, visit starwarscheck.com.

Photo courtesy of Shutterstock (family watching television)

SOURCE:
TruMoo Milk