Guy Fawkes Day

"Remember remember the fifth of November
Gunpowder, treason and plot.
I see no reason why gunpowder, treason
Should ever be forgot..."

Most people (that are not from the UK) know about Guy Fawkes through the movie V for Vendetta, however the English hold a much larger significance for this day. 

Brief history:

During the reign of King James I, the Catholics at the time thought that he would secure them religious tolerance because his wife, Anne of Denmark, was Catholic herself. Hopes had faded and many Catholics were left disappointed when they realized that they weren't going to get religious freedom. Well, Guy Fawkes belonged to a group of extremist English Catholics who detested the government and thought that by blowing up the houses of Parliament he could bring England back to a being Catholic country. At midnight, on 4 November 1605, they found Guy Fawkes with 36 barrels of gunpowder under the House of Lords where he was planning on setting it off during the State Opening of Parliament the next day. He was convicted of treason and sentenced to be hanged, drawn, and quartered. 

Ever since the Gunpowder Plot was thwarted, every year afterwards on this day, it has been commemorated with special special sermons and ringing of the church bells which eventually evolved into what's now called bonfire night. On this day, most people go to public events that hold firework shows and bonfires. I went to one tonight at my host sister's school in Muswell Hill. 

Today really is a big deal for most of the English because, well, much of the hatred for Catholics back then still kind of exists to this day. They celebrate this event because many of the British can't stand the idea of the UK being a Catholic country one bit. Well anyway, there's a bit of history for you all today. I hope you enjoyed!

Cheers, 

Ouchii