‘May the Fourth be with you’

“May the Fourth be with you” is special greeting between “Star Wars” fans that will be shared around around the world Thursday.

“May the Fourth” is known as “Star Wars” Day. This year also marks 40 years since the original "Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope."

According to Bay News 9, it started with an ad in the London Evening News after Margaret Thatcher, the first female British prime minister, elected on May 4, 1979: “May the Fourth Be With You, Maggie,” a takeoff of the movie’s classic line, “May the force be with you.”

“Star Wars” was released two years before he ad was taken out, but it sparked a world-wide phenomenon that continues decades later, according to Bay News 9.

In April, about 70,000 people gathered in Orlando for the “Star Wars” Celebration and with the announcement of “Star Wars” lands coming to Disney parks in 2019, the celebration shows no signs of stopping, Bay News 9 reports.

Can’t make it to Walt Disney World or need ideas for a “Star Wars” celebration of your own? The official Star Wars website has a few ideas.

Fans around the world took to social media to celebrate.

This story was originally published May 4, 2017 at 8:31 AM with the headline "‘May the Fourth be with you’."