Author Topic: Happy Guy Fawkes Day! (Read 434 times)

Eagler · « **on:** November 05, 2002, 06:59:17 AM »

heck if I know, that's what my calendar says

gatso · « **Reply #1 on:** November 05, 2002, 07:35:31 AM »

Guy Fawkes = Chap who tried to blow up the Houses of Parliament in 1605 by packing the cellars with gunpowder which he (and a bunch of others) planned to detonate during the state opening which would have taken the king out as well.

He failed. We tortured and then executed him (and all the others) and 5th November becomes an excuse to become a pyromaniac for the day. Bonfires, fireworks, burning effigies of guy fawkes etc.

http://www.bonefire.org/guy/

Gatso

Animal · « **Reply #2 on:** November 05, 2002, 07:38:26 AM »

That has to be the hottest holiday ever

Eagler · « **Reply #3 on:** November 05, 2002, 07:40:41 AM »

and you all celebrate it why? just needed another holiday?

I remember a huge bonfire on this day on beach of the North Sea at Tynemouth when I lived there - age 12.

Ripsnort · « **Reply #4 on:** November 05, 2002, 07:41:17 AM »

This year it coincides with the USA election day, another hot one!

Ozark · « **Reply #5 on:** November 05, 2002, 08:08:43 AM »

Do they celebrate because he almost blew up the Parliament or that he failed?

My Mom and sister were in Reading, England 5 or 6 years ago during the Guy Fawkes holiday. They both said it was great fun.

Swoop · « **Reply #6 on:** November 05, 2002, 08:10:52 AM »

1. it's not a 'holiday'

2. It's not called 'Guy Fawkes Day' either.

It's merely referred to as November the 5th and it's merely an excuse for a fireworks display for the kiddies and a piss up with your mates round a bonfire.

Dowding (Work) · « **Reply #7 on:** November 05, 2002, 08:11:39 AM »

It's not actually a public holiday. Just a celebration. The kind of thing you have when you have such a long history - and down the centuries it's lost any meaning it might have once had.

Now, like Gatso says, it's just an excuse to set off fireworks and light large fires and eat.

Fireworks are cool, so I like Guy Fawkes Day.

Ripsnort · « **Reply #8 on:** November 05, 2002, 08:18:31 AM »

Aren't fireworks, like guns, illegal to the subjects of the Crown?

bounder · « **Reply #9 on:** November 05, 2002, 08:25:03 AM »

I wish they would Rip, the kids round here are letting them off at people and we've had quite a few close calls. They soon stop when you run over and taketheir fireworks, but it's at the risk of being horribly burned. The main problem is that they sell them all year round, rather than just 5th Nov and new year. Lotsof the muslim families around here usethem for their weddings too, but it is the kids who act the most stupid with them.

FWIW Bonfires were always lit around Halloween (Autumnal Equinox) by first the pagans then the christians. Another case of popular traditions being painted with the message of the day (like christmas, easter etc).

Dowding (Work) · « **Reply #10 on:** November 05, 2002, 08:31:28 AM »

Aaah, the man who feels he needs a sidearm to feel like he's a citizen.

I'm sure there's more substance to the ideals laid down by the Founding Fathers than purely the right to gun ownership. I'd like to think so, anyway, but Ripsnort seems intent on proving me wrong.

Curval · « **Reply #11 on:** November 05, 2002, 08:32:30 AM »

Quote

Originally posted by Ozark
Do they celebrate because he almost blew up the Parliament or that he failed?

This would depend on whether or not you are a Protestant or a Catholic...and how long you hold a grudge.

The GunPowder Plot was a Catholic plot to blow up James I and his parliament....they had hoped that after Lizzie the First died that Catholics would receive better treatment under James. They felt they didn't and were pissed...so they tried to blow up the Parliament.

Ripsnort · « **Reply #12 on:** November 05, 2002, 08:40:06 AM »

Quote

Originally posted by Dowding (Work)
Aaah, the man who feels he needs a sidearm to feel like he's a citizen.

I'm sure there's more substance to the ideals laid down by the Founding Fathers than purely the right to gun ownership. I'd like to think so, anyway, but Ripsnort seems intent on proving me wrong.

Stay in the business you're in, psycho-analysis is not your best asset.

Swoop · « **Reply #13 on:** November 05, 2002, 09:12:14 AM »

Dowd old pal, with all due whatever....this is a light hearted thread about Guy Fawkes and not another excuse for some yank bashing.

How bout we stick to the point and all stay friends, for a change.....?

Eagler · « **Reply #14 on:** November 05, 2002, 09:24:00 AM »

so its a holiday for a terrorist?

think OBL takes it off?