<P> Apocryphally, the reference was first used on May 4, 1979, the day Margaret Thatcher took office as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom . An online news article from the Danish public broadcaster says her political party, the Conservatives, placed a congratulatory advertisement in The London Evening News, saying "May the Fourth Be with You, Maggie . Congratulations ." </P> <P> The saying was used in a UK Parliament defence debate on May 4, 1994 . </P> <P> Astrophysicist and author Jeanne Cavelos used the saying on page 94 of her 1999 book The Science of Star Wars . </P> <P> In 2008, the first Facebook groups appeared, celebrating Luke Skywalker Day, with the same catchphrase . While the initial group never received widespread acclaim, the phenomenon spread to college campuses a few years later, and Star Wars Day was born . </P>

When was may the force be with you first said