A lawmaker introduces the pun “May the Fourth be with you” on the floor of U.K. Parliament

On May 4, 1994, in a groan-inducing moment on the floor of U.K. Parliament, a lawmaker uses a pun that will spawn its own holiday far, far away from the halls of government.

The first recorded appearance of “May the Fourth Be With You” occurred on May 4, 1979, when the UK Conservative Party placed a congratulatory advertisement in the London Evening News after Margaret Thatcher became Prime Minister. The ad read:

“May the Fourth Be With You, Maggie. Congratulations!”

This is the earliest documented instance of the pun being used in print.