Join Force For Change on a mission

Yesterday was the day Star Wars fans have chosen to celebrate and honour all things Star Wars, be it by posting related content on social media, hosting screening parties, wearing Star Wars costumes and clothing, or shopping for Star Wars merchandise. But why was May 4 chosen?

Because, as it happens, fans invented a clever turn of phrase based on the classic Star Wars slogan “May the Force be with you” back in 1978: “May the Fourth Be With You”.

While originally invoked among US fans as a Fourth of July greeting, it was reset to May 4 the following year when a full-page advertisement appeared in the May 4, 1979 issue of The London Evening News to congratulate British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher on taking office that day: “May the Fourth be with you, Maggie. Congratulations!”

Since then, and especially in recent years, Star Wars fans claimed May 4 as their day, a day that has also given Lucasfilm an opportunity to give back to the Star Wars community. This year, in the name of Star Wars: Force for Change – an initiative that aims to inspire people to make a positive impact on the world – Lucasfilm and Disney will be giving back wherever they can, and fans are encouraged to do the same: #RoarForChange: Lucasfilm and Star Wars: Force for Change have announced Roar For Change, a global challenge to support the United Nations Children’s Fund (Unicef). The initiative invites fans and families to share their own version of Chewbacca’s iconic roar. For each public post, like, or share on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter that includes #RoarForChange between May 3 to 25, Star Wars: Force for Change US will donate $1 (R12.60) to Unicef, up to $1 million. The funds will support Unicef’s work.