Remember, remember the 5th of November

Today is a celebration day known as 'Guy Fawkes Night' or 'Bonfire Night' in Scotland (and elsewhere in the UK).  There will be fireworks and bonfires everywhere!

I am really excited for the fireworks--though I will have to bundle up as it's cold outside!!

Guy Fawkes Night originates from the Gunpower plot of 1605, a failed conspiracy by a group of English Catholics to assassinate King James I of England and VI of Scotland (who was Anglican) and replace him with a Catholic head of state. Basically Guy Fawkes is the guy that was supposed to blow up the House of Lords and well, he got caught and they've been punishing him ever since!!

Here's a poem that sums it all up:

Remember, remember the Fifth of November,

The Gunpowder Treason and Plot,

I know of no reason

Why the Gunpowder Treason

Should ever be forgot.

Guy Fawkes, Guy Fawkes, t'was his intent

To blow up the King and Parli'ment.

Three-score barrels of powder below

To prove old England's overthrow;

By God's providence he was catch'd

With a dark lantern and burning match.

Holla boys, Holla boys, let the bells ring.

Holloa boys, holloa boys, God save the Queen!

And what should we do with him? Burn him!

It's still celebrated and typically children create an effigy (a 'guy') and then he's burned on the night.  In the larger cities there are fireworks displays (the biggest one in Scotland is in Glasgow) and bonfires.

I found some really great older pictures of the day being celebrated in the UK from the 1930's and 40's mostly of the effigy's that children created (they used to walk around and try to get money for their creations!).  This one is from 1933.  I love that the dog is participating:

Here's one from a group of kids from 1947:

 

Isn't that one big?  Those kids look mighty please with themselves for having created him.

Have you ever heard of Guy Fawkes Night?  If you're in the UK, will you be celebrating around a bonfire?