It’s 1976 and you’re a junior in high school. By fate or some other cosmic miracle, you’ve been mailed a magazine from The American Film Institute. Inside is a collection of stills from a new sci-fi movie coming out in theaters soon. As the movie gains traction, you and your class decide to pay a visit to your local theater and watch the movie with some friends. Unbeknownst to you, you will walk out a new person.
The Star Wars franchise has been beloved for decades, with a dedicated fanbase, a partnership with Disney and a Saga of 9 movies. To not know Star Wars is to not know an integral part of modern entertainment. Enter, May the 4th.
May the 4th is an unofficial holiday but it still holds an iron fist above pop culture. Coined in 1977, the year the first movie of the franchise “A New Hope” was released, May the 4th originates from a line said in all of the movies, “May the force be with you.”
The unspoken traditions of May the 4th include having a Star Wars Saga marathon, making Star Wars-inspired treats and wearing whatever Star Wars merchandise that you have in your closet.
With the rise of social media and the release of new movies, the relevance of May the 4th has gained recognition from a lot more than just Star Wars fans. However, every year, these Star Wars fans make it known that May the 4th, while a fun way to commemorate Star Wars, is also a day to celebrate their connection to the franchise.
“I ended up seeing the movie in May 1977 about 10 or 15 times.” CTE teacher and Star Wars enthusiast Mr. Gaw explains. “And then another 10 or 15 times in the December following.”
Gaw feels Star Wars in his veins and you can tell when you walk into his classroom. A step into his classroom is like a portal to a galaxy far far away. You will be greeted by a stormtrooper, some witty posters, and if you’re lucky, Gaw may be wearing a Star Wars-themed shirt around school.
“90 out of 10, I am the biggest [Star Wars] fan.” Mr. Gaw answers confidently when asked how big of a Star Wars fan he truly is. “Do you see what I’m wearing? My Boba Fett Adidas! And tomorrow, I’ll be mowing my lawn wearing a Boba Fett Helmet.”
However, Gaw also notes that May the 4th and the Star Wars franchise in general, is so much more than silly space movies for sci-fi nerds.
“[Star Wars] is life.” Gaw begins passionately. “If you boil it down to its very basic components, it’s life. It’s relationships and love and battle and what’s right and what’s wrong and villains and heroes, it’s life.”
Gaw’s love for Star Wars is shared amongst millions, and that is the reason May the 4th is loved the way it is. There is a sense of tradition as people reflect on what Star Wars really means to them.
So that leaves you with two options. You can either go on with your day and prepare for Cinco De Mayo tomorrow, or you can make the weekend jam-packed with a pit stop to a galaxy far far away. The choice is yours.
