Members of the NDB community gathered on May fourth to celebrate “Star Wars Day.” Chosen as a play on the franchise’s famous phrase “May the force be with you”, “May the Fourth” has been celebrated for years as an opportunity to gather as a fan community and celebrate the culturally significant stories created by George Lucas.

“I went to a Star Wars movie marathon in Modesto and saw Episodes Four, Five, Six and Rogue One,” said English Department Chair and Star Wars enthusiast, Robert Rojas. “My favorite movie is Return of the Jedi because we get to see Luke Skywalker defeat Darth Vader and turn him back into a good guy.”

Participants have become increasingly creative in the ways that they celebrate the holiday. From character cosplays to fan meet-ups, they provide no shortage of ways to engage. With new and old Star Wars content on the hit streaming service Disney+, the franchise’s fandom can binge-watch all of their new and old favorites from the comfort of their homes. Even better, movie theaters across the country are playing “Star Wars: Return of the Jedi” for a limited time in celebration of its fortieth anniversary. The film is the third original Star Wars film to be produced following “Star Wars” and “The Empire Strikes Back.” It is also the sixth film to exist chronologically within the “Skywalker saga.”

“I like to revisit my favorite moments from different Star Wars media and look ahead to the exciting future of projects that have been revealed,” commented senior Carina Carlson. “Star Wars is a world I can escape to, while at the same time, it’s a reflection of the real world.”

This year, NDB fans continued the tradition and celebrated the commemorative day.

“I went to Boba Guys and I got a special drink called the Bantha milk,” said junior Ashley Turner. “It’s supposed to be from one of the characters from Star Wars and it actually tasted really good.”

For all those who celebrated, “May the Fourth” is a chance to recognize the franchise which has brought millions of fans worldwide together and honor all those who once, and continue to, bring the story of Star Wars to life.