Empire Day/Legends

"We will celebrate the anniversary of this day as Empire Day. For the sake of our children. For our children's children! For the next ten thousand years!"

- Emperor Palpatine

Empire Day, later referred to as Remembrance Day by opponents of the Empire, was an annual celebration taking place on the 23rd day of the 5th month of the Galactic Standard Calendar.

History
"Why, Master Yoda, what a delightful surprise! Welcome! Let me be the first to wish you Happy Empire Day!"

- Newly self-declared Emperor Palpatine, to Yoda

It marked the Declaration of a New Order by Palpatine in 19 BBY and the establishment of the Galactic Empire.

The first Empire Day, declared by Palpatine, was a planet-wide celebration on Coruscant that marked both the rise of the Empire and the conclusion of the Clone Wars.

After that first celebration, Empire Day became an annual celebration across the Empire, and supposedly, the Remnant, Fel, Exile and Sith Empires. It was celebrated between one another by saying "Happy Empire Day."

After the destruction of the first Death Star, Empire Day was emphasized more vehemently, by both the Empire and the Rebellion. The Rebellion adopted the term Remembrance Day in place of Empire Day, and used Empire Day as a way to remind citizens of the destruction of Alderaan. During one such Empire Day in 1 ABY, Lord Vader landed in front of the Theed Royal Palace to deliver a speech to a crowd of loyal Imperial citizens.

Guarded by a group of Triumphant-class dark troopers, Darth Vader used the holiday to honor those who served the Empire graciously. As Vader stood in front of a statue of the Emperor, he called out several soldiers present by name, giving them a badge for their service. After his short visit, he boarded his shuttle to leave the planet. As he departed, Imperial TIE Fighters flew by as fireworks exploded overhead.

During the Empire Day festivities, Brenn Tantor tasked loyal Imperials to tear down Rebel propaganda posters around the city, and put up posters which proclaimed, "Join Us." Kaythree tasked Imperial traders to gather supplies from crashed Rebel shuttles, and gave entertainers the option to entertain Imperial soldiers in the Theed cantina. Dac Madine stood by to receive any incoming shipments. Mara Jade also participated in the Empire Day festivities, tasking a Imperial operative to rescue six Imperial officers from a prison facility in a hidden Rebel base.

Due to the heavy Imperial patrols in Theed, the Rebellion did little to stop the Empire Day festivities from taking place. However, there were reports of Rebel agents gunning down those who put up Imperial posters.

Behind the scenes
Empire Day is a recurring event in the MMORPG Star Wars Galaxies. The celebrations take part on the anniversary of the games' launch, every year since 2005. In 2008, once every hour, an Imperial shuttle landed and Darth Vader called out one of the Imperial-aligned player characters present at the celebration. This player received a special badge and the title "Hero of Empire Day." All players that visited the celebrations received a special The Empire Strikes Back movie poster and could buy Order 66 Cookies and a Gracious Government Mix, food that temporarily enhanced the players' stats.

This changed slightly in the 2009 celebration. Vader would land every 15 minutes and call out three players, this time receiving the title "Champion of Empire Day." Players would also receive a Return of the Jedi movie poster to commemorate the six year anniversary of Star Wars Galaxies. In addition, the 2009 celebration included additional quests for players.

Appearances

 * Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith
 * Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith novelization

Notes and references
Tag des Imperiums Día del Imperio Dzień Imperium Imperiumin päivä Imperiumdagen