What Is Guy Fawkes Day? (Remember, Remember The 5th Of November…)

The 5th of November is known to many (especially in the UK) as "Guy Fawkes Day" or "Bonfire Night" and is to commemorate the failure of the Gunpowder Plot of 1605.

Most of us here in the USA probably know about it because of the "V for Vendetta" graphic novel comic books or the 2005 "V for Vendetta" movie.

According to UK In the USA:

November 5 is celebrated in Britain to commemorate the failure of Guy Fawkes and other terrorist conspirators to blow up the Houses of Parliament in 1605. Public firework displays are organized with effigies of Fawkes burned on bonfires, and smaller parties take place in back gardens throughout the land. The 5th of November is also called 'Firework Night,' 'Bonfire Night,' or 'Guy Fawkes Day.' In the days leading up to it, children traditionally take their home-made effigies, or ‘Guys,’ out into the streets and ask passers-by for ‘a penny for the Guy,’ using the money to buy fireworks.

If you've been wondering why your Facebook timelines have been scattered with sayings about the 5th of November, it's probably because the day is remembered with this catchy little poem:

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!