Empire Day

Empire Day

Empire Day,^[1] also known asImperial Unity Day,^[8] was theday thatSheev Palpatinedeclared himselfEmperor of the FirstGalactic Empire, bringing an end to theClone Wars^[1] as well as theRepublic in19 BBY.^[9] Following thatyear, Empire Day became a holiday marking the anniversary of therise of the Empire. Festivities of the holiday included aparade on various Imperial-controlledplanets, the playing of the Imperial anthem, "Glory of the Empire," as well as the airing of Emperor Palpatine with twoRoyal Guards at theImperial Senate, but the footage used made the Emperor seem younger and more physically appealing than he actually was at thetime of the speech.^[1] Attendance to the festivities was mandatory.^[10] OnCoruscant, the holiday was the cap to aweek of festivities known asAscension Week.^[11]

It was also the dayEzra Bridger wasborn,^[1] and two days before the births ofLuke andLeia Skywalker onPolis Massa.^[9]

Unity Day also celebrated the camaraderie of its citizenry. Festivities of the event included grandmilitary parades that showcased the might of the Empire'sarmy andnavy. Following theBattle of Hoth, theRebel Alliance led anattack on a Unity Day parade on theGalactic Core planetBar'leth. The strike was a calculated move by the Alliance, as the attack harmed no civilians and was witnessed by beings acrossthe galaxy via theHoloNet;Alliance High Command hoped that their actions would gather more allies to the weakened Rebellion.^[8]

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Behind the scenes[]

The real-worldEmpire Day was a holiday of theBritish Empire that was celebrated onMay 24, the birthday ofQueen Victoria, and is rebranded as "Commonwealth Day" in theUnited Kingdom and theCommonwealth of Nations.^[12] The premiere ofStar Wars: Episode VThe Empire Strikes Back in the British capital,London, was held onMay 20,1980, and the term "Empire Day" was used in the event's marketing.^[13] As a royal charity premiere, it was attended byPrincess Margaret and benefited children's charities.^[14]

Appearances[]

Non-canon appearances[]

• LEGO Star Wars: The Freemaker Adventures — "Duel of Destiny"(Mentioned only)
• LEGO Star Wars: The Freemaker Adventures — "Return of the Kyber Saber"
• LEGO Star Wars Summer Vacation(In flashback(s))

Sources[]

Notes and references[]