Remember, Remember…
by Pete Fasciano, Executive Director 11/05/2023
Guy Fawkes Night, also known as Guy Fawkes Day, Bonfire Night, and Fireworks Night, is an annual commemoration observed on November fifth, primarily in Great Britain, involving bonfires and fireworks displays. Its history begins with Catholic plotters who intended to assassinate Protestant King James I and his parliament on November 5, 1605. Guy Fawkes, a member of the Gunpowder Plot, was arrested while guarding explosives they had placed beneath the House of Lords.
Celebrating that the plot was foiled and the King had survived, people lit bonfires around London. Months later, the ‘Observance of 5th November Act’ mandated an annual public day of thanksgiving.
Within a few decades Gunpowder Treason Day as it was then known, became the predominant English state commemoration. Its Protestant overtones also fostered anti-Catholic sentiments. Bonfire celebrations burnt effigies of hated figures such as the Pope. Gradually, November fifth came to be known as Guy Fawkes Day.
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| Franklin TV: Guy Fawkes Day |
Remember, remember, the 5th of November,Gunpowder, treason, and plot.I see no reason why gunpowder treasonShould ever be forgot.
Guy Fawkes, Guy Fawkes, 'twas his intentTo blow up the King and the Parliament.Three score barrels of powder below,Poor old England to overthrow.
By God's providence he was catch'd,With a dark lantern and burning match.Holler boys, holler boys, let the bells ringHoller boys, holler boys. God save the King!
Now you know. If you intend to celebrate, keep the extinguisher handy.
And – as always –Thank you for listening to wfpr●fm.And, thank you for watching.
Get this week's program guide for Franklin.TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm) online http://franklin.tv/programguide.pdf
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