May the 4th be with you

It seems like there's a holiday for just about everything these days. International Talk Like A Pirate Day occurs on September 19th, Batman Day is celebrated on the third Saturday of September, and March 14th (3.14) is Pi Day. Popular culture has even deemed February 15th as Annoy Squidward Day based on an obscure line from the first season of the popular children's cartoon, "Spongebob Squarepants."

Whether one has seen "Star Wars" or not, everyone seems to be familiar with the line "May the force be with you." May the fourth, being verbally similar to the famous phrase, has therefore been popularized as Star Wars Day. Fans across the world celebrate the franchise, each in their own way from binge-watching the movies and television shows to cosplaying (dressing up) as characters.

The Walt Disney Company has celebrated the day since 2013 and annually hosts events in their "Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge" themed areas both at Disneyland in California and Walt Disney World in Florida. The celebration has lightsaber-themed churros, specialty popcorn buckets, collectible pins and t-shirts, and more.

Fans who are fortunate enough to visit the theme parks on May the fourth hold their lightsabers high above their heads once dusk falls to see the hundreds, if not thousands, of others who share their passion.

Carrie Fisher (1956-2016) will be honored on May fourth this year by receiving her star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Fisher was a monumental influence on the franchise since its debut in 1977 and has since become not only a feminist icon, but a heroine to all who love the franchise.

Forty-five years after George Lucas released his first "Star Wars" film, here we are with an entire universe of eleven main-line movies, six television series, and hundreds of comic books. If you've never seen "Star Wars," here's your opportunity to grab a friend and get started (the order to watch the movies is up to you). This is the way.