This week we give a nod to our UK pals by celebrating Guy Fawkes day. The origin of this British holiday commemorates the failure of a plot by Catholics to blow up the Houses of Parliament and assassinate Protestant King James 1 in order to replace him with a Catholic King.
Following an anonymous letter warning of the plot, Guy Fawkes, one of the members of the group, and an explosives expert, was caught beneath the House of Lords guarding 36 barrels of gunpowder. He was promptly arrested and group members were convicted and sentenced.
Early celebrations of the disruption of the Gunpowder plot were initially quite anti-Catholic and commemorated by special sermons, church bell ringing. With time, the celebrations have evolved into a more non-religious and family-friendly community celebration such as parades, fireworks, bonfires, and the burning of Guy Fawkes effigies.
In addition, with time, the image of Fawkes has become less than that of a traitor and more a symbol of individual liberty, political protest, anti-establishment movements and activism.
DRINKS & NOMS
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