Penny for the Guy

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

November 5, 1605

Guy Fawkes attempts to destroy British Parliament through the “Gunpowder Plot.” Fawkes was arrested before he could go through with the plan and on January 31, 1606, Fawkes was hung with other conspirators.

When the plot was discovered, Londoners were encouraged to celebrate their King’s survival of an assassination attempt by lighting bonfires throughout the city. Through this, the tradition of Bonfire Night was started. In Colonial America Guy Fawkes Night was celebrated until George Washington forbade the holiday do to its anti-Catholic and pro-British roots.

V for Vendetta is a comic-book series from the 1980’s whose main plot is based and driven by the 1605 Gunpowder Plot. In 2005 a film version of the series was released in the US followed shortly by the UK and Australia. The release of this film happened just over 400 years after the failed Gunpowder Plot.

I myself celebrated the holiday by eating an “eggy-in-a-basket / popeye” while watching V for Vendetta and had a small fireworks show for myself.