November 5th was Guy Fawkes Night a national bonfire and fireworks celebration in England. It's a very strange holiday in which they celebrate something that didn't happen. Guy Fawkes and other Catholic conspirators attempted to blow up the mostly Protestant House of Parliament to kill the Protestant King and Aristocracy (Protestant and Catholic) in 1605 by planting gunpowder in the cellars. The plot was discovered by an anonymous letter and they were all arrested. Guy Fawkes was hanged, drawn and quartered, and displayed in London.
They remember with this rhyme:
Remember, remember the fifth of November,
The gunpowder treason and plot,
I see no reason
Why the gunpowder treason
Should ever be forgot.
The event is still celebrated to this day by burning an effigy of Guy Fawkes on the bonfire (creepy). These effigies were called "Guys" and that is where our word "guy" meaning "man" originated.
I don't understand why of all the things that occurred in Britain's history they choose to celebrate this non-event, but the fireworks were really good (they had a few new variations on the "sizzling" fireworks which are my favorite!) The bonfire was huge (over 20 feet?), and it was a good time.
cool.
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