In May 1977, the original Star Wars film (now known as Star Wars Episode 4: A New Hope) premiered at movie theaters. Practically no one expected the tremendous success of Star Wars, as it grossed $775 million at the box office. But the George Lucas film became a sustained cultural phenomenon.
When Tory politician Margaret Thatcher first became British Prime Minister, the London Evening Standard published a punny congratulatory ad from the Conservative party which played off of Star Wars rebel imagery vis-a-vis Labour's deathgrip on UK politics after 1978-79 Winter of Discontent.
While the politics of the pun's origination may have faded, the slogan became a geek touchstone. It was a catch phrase on Facebook for "Luke Skywalker Day" in 2008. The first organized grassroots holiday was in Toronto, Canada in 2011. Since Disney took over Lucasfilms in 2013, it has become a celebrated ersatz holiday.
It might make you want to sing.
Like lounge singer Nick Winters on Saturday Night Live so many moons ago?
Almost.
But it might inspire the Boogie Storm to make some mad jumps.
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