Empire Day marks the rise of the Emperor to power throughout the galaxy, while simultaneously marking the extermination of the Jedi Council by Darth Vader.

Despite the efforts by members of the Rebellion on the few remaining Jedi in hiding, Empire Day is a widely celebrated event across all Imperial controlled planets. This is mostly due to a massive public relations campaign that is run each year in conjunction with the event where Imperial propaganda is disseminated liberally to the masses. Subsequently, very few sentient beings are unaware of the day’s celebrations. The actual day of the celebration is marked according to the Imperial Center time, but celebrations can last days or weeks depending on the culture and location of each event.

Because of the vast and varied worlds which the Empire controls, beings on different planets celebrate in different ways. While some might make a pilgrimage to the Imperial Center (Coruscant) and visit the site where the celebrated events of the day originally took place, others simply wish to be near the emperor himself. They don’t actually expect to see the emperor, but each year holds some kind of unrealistic hope in the masses. Others take on charity work to show their unwavering support and encouragement for all those who have served the emperor and in honor of the emperor himself and his many sacrifices he made for his new Empire through the duration of the clone wars and the subsequent Jedi Rebellion. Still others have simple, private gatherings with friends and family to feast, play games, hold contests, and all manner of revelry.

Of course, those who wage war against the Empire approach the day differently. They see the day as a turning point in a long campaign of duplicity. They might spend their time protesting, passing out counterpropaganda, or even staging surgical strikes and attacks on Imperial facilities, bases, and high-ranking officers.

The rebellion works hard from year to year to fight the tide of Imperial public relations, hoping that if they can turn the hearts and minds of the people, then the Empire will turn the tide of the war. Each step, even a small step, brings them closer to victory and freedom from the tyranny of the emperor.

Empire Day is a mandated holiday, but even if that were not the case, many would still mark it as a day of events due to the many changes it created. The Senate gave up a majority of their power on that day in history, while the Jedi Council was also removed from the power scene of politics and the worlds alike. The Emperor followed these events by taking ultimate power, controlling the entire galaxy singlehandedly. Nothing was left untouched by the events that took place that day. Whether good or bad, the debate still rages on each year, but despite the debate it is unquestionably a day to be remembered.

For information on events sponsored by your faction during this time, visit faction leaders across the galaxy.

The last event of the year is Life Day. This Wookie tradition with cringe-worthy origins has developed into one of the most beloved times of the year for many furry and furless friends alike. Gifts are often given out during this time by the powers that be. One is often for the individual to open themselves, while another is typically given to give to a friend.

Life Day is a time for families and extended families, friends, and all manner of comraderies to gather and celebrate a day of joy, harmony, and the promise of the Tree of Life. Traditionally celebrated on Kashyyyk, Life Day is a time to reflect on the renewal of life and remember those who have passed on before us. Wookies place an extremely high amount of importance and value on mortality, courage, compassion, and loyalty. These sacred and ancient Wookie traditions center around the honor family, a group comprised of the individual Wookie’s closest friends and companions. These families and their members pledge to lay down their lives for one another.

Wookies have been known to face some of the most grueling of circumstances in order to be certain they will arrive home in time for Life day. Even an Imperial blockade around their home world where their friends and family are enslaved has been known to be thwarted all so they can participate in the family bonding and thankfulness of the celebration.

Recently, the traditions of this special day have been adopted by numerous species throughout the galaxy. At its origins, Life Day was only celebrated once every three years, but as the joyous traditions has spread throughout the galaxy many have began to honor Life Day annually.

So, every year around this time, be sure to visit the event tree for numerous gifts and activities!