We all know today's date is May 4 - but did you know it's also Star Wars Day, with the tagline - May The Fourth Be With You.

The date marks a celebration of all things related to the hugely successful film Star Wars.

George Lucas' 1977 global hit is so part of social and cultural history the classic slogan, "May The Force Be With You' morphed into 'May The Fourth Be With You'.

The celebration was unofficially observed from the late 1970s to 2019, when the state of California voted to declare May 4 Star Wars Day.

The popular phrase used by Jedi masters in the flick, has become so embedded in our consciousness, that many across the world, including Hitchin mark the day in their own way.

Here's how a few people in Hitchin have marked the day - starting with our town's very own Stormtrooper.

Hitchin's Samantha Alleyne - the first female Stormtrooper in Star Wars

Film buffs will know Samantha - who hails from London originally but has lived in Hitchin for 20 years - through her acclaimed work after appearing in five Star Wars films since 2014.

Nub News hopes to catch up with the popular Samantha for an in-depth Up Close at some stage soon - but first the busy R1-Solo TFA-TLI-RoS, Samantha's full moniker in the film, is heading Stateside - over to Santa Fe to be precise, for a star studded event containing many celebrity guests from across the Star Wars galaxy.

However, the iconic Samantha did have time to wish everyone: "Happy Star Wars Day! Big kisses from the First Female Stormtrooper!"

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Sarah Graham

While our town's talented artist Sarah Graham produced limited edition artwork entitled 'In A Galaxy'.

Sarah said: "Happy Stars Wars Day! My limited edition 'In A Galaxy' is my unique take on Star Wars. The toys are the original action figures, and I decided to stand them all side by side to observe the needless war they've been fighting in. It represents peace and unity in the galaxy."

See Sarah Graham's shop for more information, 'May the Fourth be With You' she added.

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Orange Tree

The Orange Tree pub in Hitchin will be holding a Star Wars themed quiz - with the team led by landlord Kris already getting in the mood was you can see by this picture, that sees Sous Chef Alex somehow 'levitating' Kris.

Hitchin author Danny Pearson, who also writes for the world famous Beano comic, made sure he got a Star Wars reference in this week's strip

While over in Letchworth, the Broadway Cinema shared original - now vintage - posters published when the film was first released 45 years ago.

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Ogle Design

Letchworth's outstanding model making and prototyping company Ogle Design have been involved in fascinating Star Wars related pictures.

May is a notable month for Star Wars, with the original film premiering on May 25, 1977, while its creator George Lucas, marks his birthday on May 14. As you can see the photographs depict some of Ogle's talented model makers piecing together the body of the Y-Wing Fighter from the original movie.

Museum at One Garden City takes up the story: "George Lucas was apparently most impressed - but sheepishly pointed out to them only about a third of what they'd made would ever appear in shot."

PS keep an eye out for more that Ogle did for Star Wars in a forthcoming exhibition at the brilliant museum