5th November - Fireworks Night: The History Behind The Celebrations

 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!

We all enjoy Bonfire night/Fireworks night but the meaning and history is not is something more sinister.

When I was younger we used to burn a 'Guy' on the bonfire, the fire originally was suppose to represent celebration of King James 1 had survived the attempt of his life and the people within the house of lords.

As for the burning of the guy:

Within a few decades Gunpowder Treason Day, as it was known, became the predominant English state commemoration, but as it carried strong religious overtones it also became a focus for anti-Catholic sentiment. Puritans delivered sermons regarding the perceived dangers of popery, while during increasingly raucous celebrations common folk burnt effigies of popular hate-figures, such as the pope. Towards the end of the 18th century reports appear of children begging for money with effigies of Guy Fawkes and 5 November gradually became known as Guy Fawkes Day. - (Source)

I know people used to go begging with their 'Guy' but I think that tradition where I live has long since died.

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These days it's all about the fireworks and gathering with your family than it is about a man and his failed attempts at blowing up the houses of parliament.

The fireworks tradition may have come from many overlapping celebrations but it does represent the power of gunpowder as well.

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Since then graphic novels/films like V for Vendetta have come out that use the story of the gunpowder plot.

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How do you celebrate the 5th November?