Today, is November 5th.
In the United Kingdom, where I come from originally, this is the day in the year when people celebrate Guy Fawkes Night, normally with a bonfire and fireworks. Traditionally people would have had a bonfire and fireworks themselves, in their back yard, but in more recent years, because of the cost and legal restrictions on buying and setting off of fireworks, most people attend organized displays and events.
This is much like the situation, in the United States, to celebrate the Fourth of July. I have read that Guy Fawkes Night is celebrated in the US, but only in a few places that have British immigrants, like in the New England states and in Florida.
An English Folk Verse (c.1870)
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 and his companions
Did the scheme contrive,
To blow the King and Parliament
All up alive.
Threescore barrels, laid below,
To prove old England’s overthrow.
But, by God’s providence, him they catch,
With a dark lantern, lighting a match!
A stick and a stake
For King James’s sake!
If you won’t give me one,
I’ll take two,
The better for me,
And the worse for you.
A rope, a rope, to hang the Pope,
A penn’orth of cheese to choke him,
A pint of beer to wash it down,
And a jolly good fire to burn him.
Holloa, boys! holloa, boys! make the bells ring!
Holloa, boys! holloa boys! God save the King!
Hip, hip, hooor-r-r-ray!
http://www.potw.org/archive/potw405.html
So, to all my friends, family and fellow countrymen, enjoy your bonfire and fireworks, but STAY SAFE!
Colins Place 