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Guy Fawkes Day
Remember, remember the
fifth of November,
Gunpowder treason and plot.
We see no reason
Why gunpowder treason
Should ever be forgot!
November
5, 2007 marks the 402nd anniversary of that fateful day in
1605 when Guy
Fawkes and 12 conspirators planned to blow Parliament
to smithereens and were stopped in their tracks when
Fawkes himself was caught with 36 barrels of gunpowder under
the House of Lords.
Ever since, bonfires have lit the night
skies across the U.K. every year on November 5th to mark the failed Gunpowder
Plot. Major celebrations take place in the UK from the last days of October through the
first week of November with fireworks taking the place of the traditional bonfires in many
towns.
Burning effigies of "the Guy"
on Bonfire Night (or Fireworks Night... or Plot Night depending on local traditions) has also
became a popular pass time, most notably in Lewes,
boasting the biggest Bonfire Night party in the UK together with spectacular fireworks displays
and festive foods prepared in celebration.
In Australia, the unofficial holiday also
goes by the name "cracker night." While it is no longer common to find young boys
dressed in ragged clothes begging, "A
penny for the guy...," to finance a purchase of sweets or fireworks to celebrate
the occasion, many dads and grandfathers still miss the festivities.
One Australian folklorist has a few interesting
thoughts on why the holiday survived there until recently.
"Certainly not because we were
instructed to or because Guy Fawkes' attempt to blow up the British House of Lords in 1605
had any continuing meaning. (Although I must admit that one of my favourite graffiti is
Vote 1 Guy Fawkes - the only man to enter Parliament with honest intentions.)
Perhaps the long-standing attraction of bonfires and fire crackers is sufficient explanation."
(Aspects
of Australian Folklife)
The tradition is still active in New Zealand,
South Africa, the province of Newfoundland and Labrador in northern Canada and in many communities
around the world where the bonfires, fireworks and fun have been carried by émigrés
or nationals living abroad.
Elsewhere on the Web, find out more about
Guy Fawkes and the tremendously popular, infamous Papist Plot, along with special bonfire
& fireworks displays, party ideas, recipes and general fun & frivolity planned
in commemoration of Guy Fawkes Day...
Guy
Fawkes & Bonfire Night - Entertaining online exhibit with facts and history, current
Guy Fawkes Day celebrations in the UK and around the world, traditional rhymes and chants,
recipes, e-cards, related links and an online shop.
Gunpowder
Plot / Guy Fawkes Day Epicenter
- An extensive educational resource with lesson plans, ideas for activities and field trips,
background history, fashion and culture of 17th century Britain, recipes, coloring pages and
more to learn about and celebrate the date.
Gunpowder
Plot Society - Everything you always wanted to know, including deep background with
downloadable texts of writs and documents pertaining to the Guy Fawkes plot, bio's on the
major and minor players, links to associated places, history timeline.
Bonfire
Night Recipes - With complete instructions for cold
night comfort foods including hot spiced cider, mulled wine,
soups, nibbles, and sweet treats to savor whilst the fireworks
entertain you.
Bonfire
Night- how will you celebrate? - Online guide from Confetti party supplies with tips
on organizing fireworks displays, safety tips, music lists, party food & drink ideas,
with more advice in the discussion forum.
Animated
Guy Fawkes Day E-Cards -
Nice selection of sendable greetings including animated fireworks, bonfires, rockets.
Guy
Fawkes Bonfire Night Fireworks
also see
-> 1,000
Years of Beer & Pubs | Britain's
Maritime History
also see in Travel -> London
Tourism | England
| Scotland
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