I always remember the 5th of November. It's my Mother's Birthday. Across the country people light bonfires and set off fireworks...but that's for a completely different event! The 5th of November is collectively known as Bonfire night, or Guy Fawkes night. We celebrate today, something that occurred back in 1605. Guy Fawkes, a member of the gun powder plot, was arrested whilst guarding explosives that the plotters had placed beneath the house of Lords. Perhaps if he hadn't been, the country would have been a different place today, maybe not. Who knows! But regardless, we celebrate the fact that way back then King James I survived the attempt on his life. Today, the 5th is an annual public day of thanksgiving.
In Britain, we celebrate by building bonfires and throwing 'guy fawkes' dummys on top of them. It sounds barbaric, to an outsider it probably is, but actually it's a great time of year in which old and young alike celebrate together. Autumn just makes it that much more special, wrapping up with boots, hats and scarfs!
Our celebrations start early now, and they go on for a few weeks, evenings are filled with the smell of woodsmoke and the sound of fireworks going off. Where I live with a vantage point across the valley, it's perfect as a viewing place!
So in case you ever wondered what it's all about - that's exactly it. We celebrate the aversion of crisis! To find out more check out
this.
