May is always the month of birthdays when it comes to Star Wars movies and today marks the most significant one of all. On May 25, 1977, 32 years ago today, Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope was released into theatres and changed the way blockbuster films were made and marketed forever.

It also changed the popular culture landscape in ways that still haven’t been measured completely.

In 32 years, Star Wars has become, in its own right, a multi-billion dollar Empire and has inspired millions the world over.

Whether you love Star Wars, or just happen to enjoy watching the movies, it’s important to take pause on this day and think about how different a world we would live in if it weren’t for Star Wars.

Look around you and you can see its influence everywhere. From words that have crept into our vernacular (like blaster, tractor beam or the Force) to the immortal (often misquoted) revelation that Vader is Luke’s father, Star Wars has weaved itself into the fabric of our world and the world is a better place for it.

I would invite you, today, to take out your copy of the original Star Wars film and watch it, taking pause to honor the tremendous impact it has had both on our society and our lives.