Star Wars fans, this day is for you. May 4 is upon us, but to fans of the space franchise, it’s more commonly referred to as “May the Fourth” — a play on the iconic Star Wars phrase “May the Force be with you.”
For those unfamiliar with the term — and eager to connect with their space-loving pals — the Force is a mystical energy field that binds together the galaxy in the Disney-created universe. It grants Jedi (the good guys) and Sith (the ancient enemies of the Jedi) powers like mind control, telekinesis and enhanced agility and strength. (Those iconic lightsabers? Yeah, they’re wielded exclusively by Force-sensitive individuals.)
But for Star Wars fans, the real Force may be the power of fandom, which unites thousands of people on May 4 in celebration of the beloved George Lucas-created franchise. On May the Fourth, fans across the globe don impressive costumes and Star Wars merch in order to celebrate their passion for this ever-expanding universe, which currently includes Disney+ TV shows like The Mandalorian, The Book of Boba Fett and Ahsoka.
While there are plenty of characters in this galaxy far, far away for Star Wars fans to choose from for costume inspiration, some of the most recognizable ones Darth Vader (voiced by James Earl Jones in the original trilogy), Luke Skywalker (Mark Hamill — who recently dropped by the White House to visit “Joe-bi-Wan Kenobi”) and, of course, Princess Leia-turned-General Leia Organa (the late Carrie Fisher). Of course, there’s also the ever-cuddly Chewbacca for those who don’t mind a more full-bodied costume.
Check out photos from Star Wars Day below.