Guy Fawkes Day

Over the past week, the hours at dusk have been awfully noisy with fire crackers lighting up the night.  ChCh kiwis are supposedly celebrating Guy Fawkes Day, as a few signs I have seen have stated.  So I have decided to do a bit of research to see what all this celebrating is about.  

In 1605 in Britain, Catholics were being persecuted under the rule of Queen Elizabeth I and her successor James I.  Guy Fawkes was a member of conspirators in Britain, who secretly planted 36 barrels of gunpowder beneath the House of Lords, to be set off on November 5.  However, the conspirators feared the deaths of innocent people and began deciding against setting the House ablaze.  But, when the House was stormed on November 5, Fawkes was caught, tortured, and executed.  Apparently, to celebrate the safety of the king, on that night in 1605, bonfires were lit throughout London.

Now, on November 5, people celebrate Guy Fawkes Day by lighting bonfires and setting off fireworks.  A celebration of Fawkes' execution or an honor to his attempt to abolish the government?  Remains a mystery!