Friday, December 23, 2011

Guy Fawkes - Bonfire Night

Dear Grace,


Bonfire Night is a holiday in England around November 5th, which celebrates Guy Fawkes's attempt at blowing up Parliament as well as all the top officials including the King.  His failed attempt was the night before "the State Opening of Parliament" in 1605. At that time, Parliament was viewed negatively by the commoners/Catholics.


"On the night that the Gunpowder Plot was foiled, bonfires were set alight to celebrate the safety of the King. Since then, November 5th has become known as Bonfire Night. The event is commemorated every year with fireworks and burning effigies of Guy Fawks on a bonfire."

"Some of the English have been known to wonder, in a tongue in cheek kind of way, whether they are celebrating Fawkes' execution or honoring his attempt to do away with the government." 

We compare England's Bonfire Night to America's 4th of July. Both have firework displays. Both are a reason for family and friends to get together around a bonfire. Some children keep up the tradition of carrying around a dummy of Guy Fawkes, referred to as "The Guy." They beg people asking, "a penny for the Guy," which they later spend on fireworks.  Enjoy! 


Love, Mummy and Daddy 


The movie, V for Vendetta, was based off the idea of this real event. 
As we were walking away from the bonfire, the song, "It's Getting Hot in Here," by Nelly started playing over the loudspeaker in Battersea Park. 
We were curious about how your little ears were going to react to the fireworks. We ended up viewing the fireworks far enough from the park where you just sat back in your pram and enjoyed the light show
.

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