This Day in History: <br />'Star Wars' Opens May 25, 1977 The first installment of <br />George Lucas' saga "in a galaxy <br />far, far away," premiered in the <br />U.S. on Memorial Day weekend. Cinema would be forever <br />marked by the premiere, <br />described as an "earthquake" <br />by Princess Leia star, Carrie Fisher. Months before the <br />release, Lucas and <br />20th Century Fox co-ordinated <br />an extensive marketing push. The anticipation for the film <br />led to long lines, sold out <br />showings and, ultimately, a <br />pop culture phenomenon. Actors Mark Hamill, <br />Harrison Ford and Carrie <br />Fisher became overnight <br />stars and fan obsessions. Now under the helm of Disney, <br />new 'Star Wars' films and streaming <br />shows are scheduled well into the 2020s.
