4IntermediateGeneralCulture

May the Fourth Be With You: Star Wars Day Is Here

Every year on May 4th, fans around the world celebrate Star Wars Day. This year brings movie screenings, special events at Disney parks, new merchandise, and fun activities for fans of all ages.

1 min readLevel 4May 4, 2026

By Flalingo Editorial Team

Vocabulary

Study these words before reading the article. Click the audio button to hear pronunciation.

franchise

/ˈfræntʃaɪz/

noun

A series of related movies, books, or products that share the same name and characters

“The Star Wars franchise includes movies, TV shows, and games.”

tradition

/trəˈdɪʃən/

noun

Something that people do regularly because it has been done for a long time

“Watching movies on New Year's Eve is a family tradition.”

organized

/ˈɔːrɡənaɪzd/

adjective

Planned and arranged carefully in advance

“The school organized a special event for the students.”

merchandise

/ˈmɜːrtʃəndaɪz/

noun

Products that are made and sold, often connected to a movie or brand

“The store sells Star Wars merchandise like toys and shirts.”

celebration

/ˌselɪˈbreɪʃən/

noun

A special event or party to show that something is important or happy

“The birthday celebration included cake, music, and dancing.”

global

/ˈɡloʊbəl/

adjective

Related to the whole world, not just one country

“The internet has made communication a global experience.”

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Article

Click on any underlined word to see its definition. Highlighted words are from the vocabulary section.

Today is May 4th, and Star Wars fans are excited. This date is known as Star Wars Day worldwide. The name comes from a fun joke with words. The famous movie phrase is "May the Force be with you." Fans changed it to "May the Fourth be with you."

This tradition started back in 1979 in Britain. A newspaper ad used the phrase for the first time. Since then, fans have celebrated this day every year. The first organized event took place in Toronto in 2011. Disney bought the Star Wars franchise in 2012.

This year, there are many ways to celebrate. Disney parks are hosting special nighttime events with costumes. Museums are offering workshops and movie screenings for visitors. Fans can also find deals on games and merchandise online. Some cities have themed parties at local businesses.

Star Wars Day brings people together from different backgrounds. You do not need to spend much money to join. You might watch a movie marathon at home instead. The celebration shows how a simple joke became global. It proves that fans can create something truly special.

Comprehension Quiz

Test your understanding of the article with these multiple-choice questions.

1
Where does the name 'Star Wars Day' come from?
2
When was the first organized Star Wars Day event?
3
What did Disney do after buying the Star Wars franchise?
4
What is one way people celebrate Star Wars Day at home?

Discussion

Answer these comprehension questions about the article.

1
Why is May 4th called Star Wars Day?
2
When did the first organized Star Wars Day event take place?
3
What happened after Disney bought the Star Wars franchise in 2012?
4
What are some ways people celebrate Star Wars Day this year?
5
How did a simple joke turn into a global celebration?

Further Discussion

Share your opinions on these open-ended questions.

1
Have you ever watched a Star Wars movie? Which one is your favorite?
2
What do you think makes Star Wars so popular around the world?
3
Do you have any special traditions that you celebrate every year?
4
If you could create a fun holiday, what would it be about?
5
Do you prefer watching movies at home or at special events?