chyron8472 said:

1978.

Believe it or not, my earliest memories of Star Wars are listening to the Return of the Jedi Read-Along Book and Tape. :)

I can't recall when I first watched the movies. I do, however, remember that my parents must have had a pirate copy of "Star Wars" (which I think might have been widescreen) because I can distinctly recall the final shot of the throne room and the thought that the black bars were annoying and stupid (hey, I was a kid and it wasn't explained why they were there). So, obviously I didn't watch it.

But I do remember when my parents gave me the "Faces" VHS box set. I think it was for my birthday.

Actually, I used to love the "Story of Star Wars" LP myself. :)

And the black bars you recall during the throne room scene could have still been a P&S version. Unless I'm mistaken (and I'm sure someone will correct me if I am), some of the old P&S videocassettes switched to "widescreen" in the final moments of the film, just before the credits. I once knew the technical reason for this, but I've forgotten it. Though I do remember something like that happening in many old VHS films, not just SW.